So You Want to Fly with Your Bicycle?

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Also important to put a brake block between the brake pads if brakes are hydraulic. Another super cheap option is to take the bike apart similar to packing in a compact case, using pieces of cardboard between bike parts, to protect them. Wrap the entire thing in plastic wrap (essentially cocooning it), adding more pieces of cardboard as necessary. Tape the whole thing generously, and create a handle to carry it. Do not place extra stuff, or keep bikepacking bags attached to the bike (like the frame bag) in the package. TSA will cut into to see what is in the bags, thus destroying the integrity of the packaging. They will still cut into the cocoon, but just enough to slip the TSA inspection paper inside. Packed as small as possible, it will likely fly as a regular piece of luggage, even though it will be over the 62 linear inches limit some airlines still have.

Also prefer soft case (use the exact one you had in the video ***high-five**). Tip I can offer is to use pipe insulation from the hardward store to wrap the tubes (I cut it to size and just label them with a sharpie so it's easy to figure out which piece fits which tube when I go on my next trip. Just store them all in the collapsed soft bag between trips). Also a roll of velcro ties is super handy to lash things together and keep it from bouncing about and causing damage (e.g. I velcro my seat tube with saddle on it to the top tube, use the ties to keep the pipe insulation in place, and also velcro tie my rear derailleur and my chain down in one place so they don't rattle around).

Foam pipe insulation is my favorite hack. I wrap every tube on my bike with it (held on with painter's tape for easy removal). It adds almost no weight, can be easily trimmed to size and it's cheap. Also, if you have electronic shifting, take your batteries off/out.

Perfect timing. Bentonville Bike Fest!

Dustin, how about tips for flying/packing a bike the integrated cables/hoses. For someone that has traveled as much as you, you have got to have figured this out. Thanks for the great content.

Get a Ritchey Outback Breakaway. Road and gravel wheelsets. Pick your wheels for your destination and check it on as a suitcase.

I can't believe you are doing this video now, what's going on here? are you reading my mind? did I accept that type of cookies?

I spent significant time trying to figure out travelling with a bicycle. Since travelling by plane is not an option anymore(because climate change) I figured how to travel by train with a bike without additional fees or having to make a reservation for often limited space in a luggage compartment: so I bought Ritchey break-away, put handlebars, fork, seat post and saddle into a backpack and folded the rest into a square with dimensions of about 28" wheel, secured it with a straps and put into a rinko bag. Voila, can travel anywhere and bike from a train station hassle free 😊. Also included ritchey case is fine for travel by plane.

I fly with bikes a lot, and I always like to remove brake rotors from the wheels. Takes a little extra time, but waaaay less time than having to true bent rotors in the hotel...

Wow, great job of covering everything!

Great video Dustin! I'm flying my bike for the first time tomorrow to Tokyo. I opted for the B&W Cruv box.

Always dropping knowledge. Now I need to book a trip so I can put it to use.

Great video and support for flying with the bici! Also, many bike shops will not only sell you the box but provide packaging. Sometimes they will even help you break it down for a fee. Not sure if you've experienced this but I'm sometimes I've arrived at the destination with tweaked rotors 😖 If I'm traveling with my bike bag I'll carry a tool to remove and install the brake plates. Much love, DK!

Great advice! ❤

Good vid. I've owner and used the SciCon "Aerocomfort 3.0 Road" case for years. Though I'm always charged for a full bike travel fee of $100, I'm stoked on it for several reasons: I'm mechanically-challenged (I only remove the derailleur and wheels with this case), there is soft and harder padding throughout, the sled inside makes for sturdy mounting of the frame, no lowering of saddle height, no turning or removal of bars/stem, room for extra stuff.

Wow, the density and value of this per unit of time is off the scale, as usual -- THANKS Dustin! I have friends who use ski shipping companies to ship skis, boots, etc - I wonder if there are comparable bike shipping ones? Also, with that compact soft case.. do you have to remove the handlebars? EBD is the Greatest Place on the Internet, and your reviews are the Greatest Reviews on the Internet, bar none!

Most airlines make you sign a liability waiver if you're using a soft case, major thing to consider. Break down bikes like the Ritchey breakaway can fit in a smaller hard case if you travel a bunch, i love mine.

I flew with my gravel bike from LA to Albania on Lufthansa. As long as it was under 50lbs and a bike they allowed it as a regular checked bag, no extra fees. I didnt take the handelbars off the stem and packed it against the top tube and it fell off the baggage carousel and dented my fame. Its fine cuz its steel but remember to pack it with lots of bubble wrap and foam. I even got the EVOK bag into a Mercedes A class taxi.

"Potent peacekeeper for family trips" I lol'd