- Make a checklist of your absolute "can't-lose" items and use it while packing. Stuff you might not be able to buy in a bike shop - seatpost clamp, special headset items, valve extenders, your pedals/shoes, that sort of thing.
- Remove your rear derailleur before packing.
- Block off the chainstays.
- Bring a small pump just in case. I use a Topeak Road Morph G which is a frame pump but it'll easily get 90psi.
- Pack up a small toolkit with your essentials - wrenches (incl. pedal and torque wrench), tape, zip ties, etc.
- Rental cars in Europe are generally very small, so try to arrange in advance if you need an SUV.
Edit: and honestly, $650 for TriBike Transport is not a bad deal. You will probably spend $200 on the bike fees and another extra chunk of change if you get a larger rental vehicle. And then you need to find a storage unit for the bike unless you want to be dragging that bike box around on your entire trip.
- Remove your rear derailleur before packing.
- Block off the chainstays.
- Bring a small pump just in case. I use a Topeak Road Morph G which is a frame pump but it'll easily get 90psi.
- Pack up a small toolkit with your essentials - wrenches (incl. pedal and torque wrench), tape, zip ties, etc.
- Rental cars in Europe are generally very small, so try to arrange in advance if you need an SUV.
Edit: and honestly, $650 for TriBike Transport is not a bad deal. You will probably spend $200 on the bike fees and another extra chunk of change if you get a larger rental vehicle. And then you need to find a storage unit for the bike unless you want to be dragging that bike box around on your entire trip.