Packing bike in cargo case

Triathlon Forum
1

Hey guys,

I just rented a cargo case for my bike. This will be the first time I have shipped my bike. Besides taking off the wheels and handle bars, what else will I need to do? Will I have to take off the pedals? If there are any possible pitfalls I should be aware of, please let me know before I start trying to dismantle/pack everything. Here is the case (or at least one similar) I will be using:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=973&subcategory_ID=4415

Any tips, suggestions are appreciated.

~Jason

2

I don’t have that case but typically you do need to remove the pedals, wheels, handle bar and seat with post. I remove the handlebars at the stem, not the headset-easy to put back on. Tape to mark where you want your seat and handlebars to go is a good idea. I try not to let anything valuable float around free in the case and I bought straps to put around in in case the screws fail-they haven’t but just in case.

Good luck. I’ve only flown, never shipped.

Pat

3

thanks! I meant to put flying, not shipping.

4

Any tips, suggestions are appreciated.

I would suggest that:

  1. you not wait to do it the first time the night before you leave. You may^H^H^Hwill run into disassembly/reassembly problems, and these are more easily dealt with in your garage/basement than in a hotel room in St Kitts. This will help you to identify the tools that you don’t have that you didn’t know that you needed.

  2. pay attention to the tools that you use to disassemble, and put those tools aside, and then reassemble (in your garage/basement) using only those tools. Adjust your tool inventory as needed, and pack those tools. It would stink to get to St Kitts, and need your pedal wrench that you bought just for this purpose, because you forgot to pack it, and it’s sitting on your bench at home.

  3. Toss a few rags and some gojo into the box, so that you have stuff to clean your hands in St Kitts after you reassemble your bike.

5

I wish I was going to St. Kitts :wink:

you not wait to do it the first time the night before you leave

oops, I will be doing this morning of the flight (tomorrow). I think I have all the tools, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

6

Even though it is in a hard case I always wrap all tubes - forks included in pipe insulation foam ( not the type that self seals) and then also put spacers in the forks to ensure the do not get crushed is United Airlines baggage handlers decide to do a tango on the box.

Also ensure you do not leave any CO2 Cartridges it the box as they are not allowed. Finally I put as much of my bike stuff in the box to minimize carry on - helmet shoes etc.

Have fun

7

Is CO2 allowed in carry-on? I’m guessing not, but I figure I’d ask.

8

Not on any civilian aircraft - buy them there.