Flying with bike (in a bike box)

[Binky]

Cabin pressure is the equivalent of 5-8000 feet, so unless you'd deflate your tyres for going up the Stelvio or the Tourmalet (I'd take a few psi off myself) then don't bother.
Of course, if challenged by ground staff, lie till your pants are ablaze rather than try to explain any laws of physics.

I can fit my track pump in case so I'll take that so no reason not to deflate tyres just as a precaution anyway.

Overall my only concern so far is the Di2 battery which is not easily removeable so that is something I definitely won't be mentioning!
Nightmare scenario is if they x-ray case(assume all bags are as a matter of course) and it picks up battery as an anomaly or something. I'm stuffed then as can't remove.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Really no need to deflate your tyres. I've travelled with them at 80 psi plenty of times.
CO2 cylinders - contact the airline to confirm you are taking them - if you can get them to email confirmation, print that off and wrap around the cartridges.
Buy a chain Johnny (or equivalent) to cover the drive train.
I have a PBK box which is basically a Bonza one, and my through skewer bent badly, making it hard to remove a wheel. I have now purchased a Skew Fix - disc wheel support system from https://www.bikebox-online.co.uk/ which will sort out the issue, really great service from them.
I also wrap a plastic bag around my seatpost so carbon paste (or the white stuff now used by Canyon) doesn't go everywhere.
The zip tie suggestions are essential advice - the clips do come open far too easily - just make sure you will have access to something to cut them open when you arrive!

 

[Dogtrousers]

I can fit my track pump in case so I'll take that so no reason not to deflate tyres just as a precaution anyway.

Overall my only concern so far is the Di2 battery which is not easily removeable so that is something I definitely won't be mentioning!
Nightmare scenario is if they x-ray case(assume all bags are as a matter of course) and it picks up battery as an anomaly or something. I'm stuffed then as can't remove.

They really shouldn't object. It's way under 100 Watt hrs and it's installed in equipment. The regs say that's OK. But to keep you on tenterhooks the airline could object. Just for a laugh.

 

[Binky]

Another question which has occurred as wife just messaged me to say she's about to book a TUI package to Mallorca so it looks like TUI not Jet2 next week is what happens at other end with coach transfers to hotel? Anyone had any issues with those?

 

[brommieinkorea]

Airlines all have their own regulations regarding weight and size, so check carefully with your airline before trying to check in.

 

[berty bassett]

Regarding coach transfer with tui - you have to pay extra handling fee ( to put box in coach (usually yourself!)) and I would take chain off and put in separate sandwich bag cos I am guessing you will be just cleaned and oiled it

 

[Drago]

Cabin pressure is the equivalent of 5-8000 feet, so unless you'd deflate your tyres for going up the Stelvio or the Tourmalet (I'd take a few psi off myself) then don't bother.
Of course, if challenged by ground staff, lie till your pants are ablaze rather than try to explain any laws of physics.

This.

Even in a totally unpressurised hold ambient air pressure will only decrease by 10PSI. Let a smidge out by all means, but unless they're inflated so hard theyre quivering on the rims there is no prospect of anything going awry.

 

[ianrauk]

Cabin pressure is the equivalent of 5-8000 feet, so unless you'd deflate your tyres for going up the Stelvio or the Tourmalet (I'd take a few psi off myself) then don't bother.
Of course, if challenged by ground staff, lie till your pants are ablaze rather than try to explain any laws of physics.

The thing is, you know this, I know this, in fact most people know this. However most staff at airports, work to rule. Front of desk staff may be fine, but its the staff you can't see that may be the problem.
We've had holes ripped in our bike boxes to check tyres, with one time the result of a broken spoke.

 

[Punkawallah]

Be aware, ‘modern’ bike boxes may not accommodate ‘vintage’ bikes. When plotting to invade France by air, I was looking at removing the forks to get the bike in.

 

[Animo]

I've got a track pump for travelling called an SKS Aircontrol 8.0. It's a good bit more compact than my main track pump so fits in suitcase or holdall.

 

[Mr.B-Campag]

All good advice. I put piping insulation around all of the frame tubes to avoid scratching and dings (airport baggage handlers are not always very careful even with stuff marked fragile). If you're taking the wheels out put something (e.g. an old hub) between the dropouts so the frame and forks don't get squeezed.

 

[pjd57]

After reading this I think i will stick with hire shops

 

[Punkawallah]

After reading this I think i will stick with hire shops

Or buy something second hand while you’re there, and either sell it or give it away when you leave.

 

[berty bassett]

It’s slightly cheaper to take your own bike and when there and the faff is over then you are riding your own bike , you damage it and it’s your damage . Went to hire a bike in Madeira and looked into the insurance that they want you to take out - it only covers injury to you , and I guess you already have that on your travel insurance , you damage their bike in any way and it’s going to cost you big time , same in the hire shop in Italy , insurance covers you again but not the bike and they had a list of prices of parts if you damage them
If you hire a bike at least take pictures of all of it before you take it out the shop just incase

 

[Binky]

Ok, as it happens I'm currently in Mallorca with my bike and yes it's a bit more faff but that is far outweighed by having own bike which fits perfectly, is the exact spec I want and it's worked out a lot cheaper (although for me riding own bike tops that).
It cost me £60 for return flight excessive baggage and a coach transfer supplement of 30euros from airport to hotel return.
Really straightforward at airport etc, no issues at check in etc.
Pre flight packing of bike into box and rebuild was fine, no damage at all. Airlines especially to Mallorca completely sorted for bikes carriage.
So far I've ridden 5 days and will again today as last day so 7 days hire for a bike with spec I have, Di2 etc would be about £180 I think. I didn't ride one day hence need bike for total 7 days.

Having hired multiple times in past I'll definitely always bring own bike in future. Yes having own bike box makes this easy of course.

Edit: we flew on a package with TUI and apparently there's no weight limit which surprised me. Most say 32kg is max but I have it in writing there's no limit with TUI. As it happens my came to 24kg and that's with bike, shoes, tools, track pump etc in box.
Also I didn't mention Di2 battery and no-one asked so no issue.