Something I do is mark things with blue painters tape. I put a piece of tape on the stem and another on the handlebars. I then use a marker to draw a line across both pieces of tape. The allows me the put my bars back on in the exact location they should be by lining up the two lines. If I have to remove my seat post I wrap a piece of tape around the post exactly were it enters the seat tube. This takes all the guess work of lining things up again once you're at your destination. Blue painters tape doesn't leave any residue on your stem/bars/post.
Nice one Duzer! Just coz I'm suspicious of handlers laying the box flat, even piling other baggage on top, I have cut pieces of stiff drawing tube the internal width of the box and positioned them accordingly. Adds side crush strength with very little additional weight. Handlers I've spoken to say they flat handle boxes on the conveyors (you'd have to), but upright them where they're static. Of course, we still keep our fingers crossed for their respect of our kit.
if you are shipping or bringing your bike on a plane.. something to think about is to make sure that the size is correct. getting a box at a bike store that came to the store in a big truck, may not fit the requirements for the plane.. and would cause you some serious oversizing costs..ups is 108 inches.. length plus girth.. so .. just being over by a little and they will stick you with "oversized". I have a bike box, but have sold bikes on eBay and shipped using fedex.. they have a bike box and it's not huge!
Shipping bike to the destination ahead of time is HUGE! Goofing around in a foreign airport is nightmare food. Thx man, look forward to your trip, stay safe!
Ryan we love you so much. I hope you read it, this is my first letter to you. I have enjoyed watching each of your adventures. I went on a few little bike tours years ago and the taste remained in my mouth. (Turkish idiom :) ) I will do a 1500 km tour over the coastline this May or June. The most difficult thing for us in Turkey is to find materials. because everything we buy in Turkey is 20 times more expensive. this is no joke. that's why we are in optimum cost and product supply right now. You have inspired me this year. please be happy every day and live well because you live in america. thanks.
Heading to Iowa from NH in July for my first RAGBRAI and have been stressing about how to get the bike there. Perfect timing for the video, Ryan! I can do this - Thanks!!
I have traveled with a bike several times. Boxed it up and put it on a Greyhound bus, also went to Iowa for RAGBRAI on Amtrak and just wheeled it onto the train and they parked it in the cargo car road ready. That was much easier. I arrived in Omaha a day early and had a 60 mile ride to the starting point.
🤔. Mexico. Say Hi to Mira🐕.🥰 Good info on packing a bike in a box. The only thing I would add is to pad the handlebars and zip tie them to the head tube. Even with stuff packed around them they can shift and stress the cables. Doesn't hurt to zip tie a crank arm too. Happy Trails (tails😁🌞) 🚴♂️🚴♂️🐕
I NEEDED this video right now! Thank you, Ryan. An amazing tip for adding a piece of cardboard between the front brake pads. I've not heard this before. THANK YOU!
Oh i do ... I was denied last year finishing the whole XWA MTB route but this year ... I got the ok to try it all again and this time I will complete it and i am going to take my time vs trying to speed through as that was my mistake last time in addition to just carrying too much gear so I am not going to make that mistake again ... two months about to get more fitness and lighten my person as well ... and gosh am I feeling the excitement already =)
Oh wow a boxing video, oh wait no gloves required lol. Thank you for covering this important topic. My son many years ago was a semi pro BMX rider and traveled all over the world with his bike. Back then he simply disassemble it put it in a garment bag and took it on the plane. I think this method would’ve been much better if he have used it.
Wishing you an amazing trip. We are just starting to turn a corner in Michigan towards spring. Fat biking in the snow has been fun but I'm over the snow and itching to hit some rail trails. Watching your videos helped me through the long winter. Thanks.
Great video! I have been traveling with a bicycle for six years. I bring a used bicycle that I leave there and don't bring back. Saves on the hassle and someone benefits from it abroad.
Love it Ryan! I also put cardboard or foam around my forks so don’t poke through the box or get scratched. I also tape piece of wood in between my brake lever and handlebar so they can’t be squeezed on accident! See you it Boulder!!
Duzer....perfect timing! My wife and I are heading for our first bike tour this summer in Spain on the Camino de Santiago and we were just now researching backing/shipping our bikes. Excellent video...two thumbs up!!!👍👍😀
Super useful video, thanks Ryan! We're planning our first attempt at longer distance bikepacking, and will need to pack our bikes into boxes in a few months, and it's something we've never done before. Very helpful to see how to do so.
MY GAWD, THANK YOU! Damn Fiido doesn't want to send return packaging for their crappy bike that broke within the first 3 days of owning it! Thanks so much for the insight on how to send it back!
Recently did a trip to Ireland with my bike. - wrap frame parts in pipe lagging or pool noodles - keep old polystyrene packing pieces and place between walls of box so that if anything is on top of the box when flat, they take the strain, not the frame. - let some air out of tires - instead of cardboard for disc pads I take a couple of old frequent points shopping cards, or hotel cards (not the RFC kind), and bend and place in there...they remain springy and force pads from closing. I place an elastic band around that and brake caliper to keep from falling out. - duct tape...place small strips around box handles to reinforce those as baggage handlers are not thinking of care ... just speed....and they rip - take circular disc brakes off and place in padding onboard with you to keep from getting bent - square pieces of foam ceiling tiles on inside of box where wheel axles are and anywhere else useful. You can buy these or find them on dumpsters in building sites. - duct tape is illegal onboard for some airlines, so once you're done packing up a box, 'post' the tape into the box thru one of the handles for using other end.
I checked my bike at the gate😪. What I did was but a pretty cheap surfboard carrier which fit around the bike box perfectly. The box was about your size. With that, I had a should harness to carry the box over my shoulder like a bag. Just a small pointer that helped me a lot. The surfboard carrier was less than $20. The cost is the same as a checked bag. Very inexpensive compared to shipping.
A great fun video, boxing up your bike for adventure 🎉👍🎉 Well have a very safe trip and we’ll see your adventure soon Ryan Enjoy my friend 🇺🇸🙏❤️🏴
Ryan Ryan Ryan! We are not all gates & pinion. How about deraileur? Most of u hav em. Do you remove in the past? Extra protection? Remove and zip tie to rear triangle? What’s it been like to reattach a deraileur on arrival? You inspire me. I’m flying Anchorage to StL in April for Katy Trail. My first tour 🤠
Thank you for the video I am just about to pack my bike for a flight. Great point about not tightening the pedals too.1 suggestion is to call the LBS ahead of time about a box and give them a heads up. I've gone a couple times without calling first and they were like "yesterday was trash day we just threw them all out" good grief, plan ahead. Second usually they will give you or you can ask for the protective pieces that the bike shipped with such as foam noodle and plastic discs that go on the wheel to prevent it from breaking through the cardboard box. Also most of the major airlines - Delta, American, Alaska (I think SWA is still $75) now treat a bike as normal baggage and only charge the $30 if it's your first bag (it used to be $150!.). If you're touring and are returning home it can be challenge to get the box to where you are staying from the LBS for the flight one
Whats funny is that I was recently hoping you would make a video about this bike shipping process! Hah! Thank you for reading my mind! Show us how you pack up at the end of an epic adventure!
Thanks for video Ryan. I think there are so many ways to ship a bike, depending on where you are and wich airline company you fly. I prefer to take it on the plane, as extra luggage. My experience with KLM, flying from Europe, is very good. It is relatively cheap. The max weight allowed is 23 kg. (This means you cannot put too much extra gear in the box.) The cardboard box must not exceed certain dimensions. So I always take a cardboard box that just fits my bike. And I do use much more protective foam than you did in the video. I also make sure that the bike cannot move around too much inside the box. I always remove the rear derailleur, because that can easily damage. Always make 1000% sure you bring all the necessary tools to reassemble the bike!!! I wonder what you did with the box when you arrived in Mexico, and which box you used to fly the bike back?? For me that is always the biggest hassle, to find a box, and to transport the bike/box to the airport, for my flight home.
It's time, I'm absolutely going to have to pay the 200 fee. It just flooded in Panamá city and I'm contemplating cycling to an office supply store to get bubblewrap right now because it's going to keep pouring and there's a break in the rain...
Wow, this was really informative Duzer! And yeah I didn't know it could be that easy. I know I'm older than you but I would've cut to some vintage "Samsonite gorilla luggage Handler" commercial footage to emphasize just how rough things can get 😅. Speaking of which you might want to use box tape to "laminate" the handles on the bike box in case one of the handlers have to get rough with it and the tape should prevent the box handle opening from ripping wide open. Just a thought.
Thanks Ryan for all the triail videos, the know how's and the advice you give on mountain biking, I will be visiting Colorado the spring and summer to, get out there and ride!
Thanks! Was wondering how you sent your bike before you covered it at the end. Getting that big a box to and through the airport would have been a chore.
Thanks for the useful tips Ryan. I wanted to ask, what do you do you with your cans of food after you have finished them to prevent rotten food smell? Just bag it up in a baggie and put it in the frame bag?
Hi Ryan. Thanks for the packing tips. The pedals might be a bit of a problem for some because each pedal loosens (and tightens) differently. The left pedal is opposite of most threads. To loosen, one must turn it to the right (loosen by cranking the wrench to the right; clockwise!). To put back on, tighten by turning to the left (counterclockwise). Also, I find that a small crescent wrench can get in to remove the pedals; no large heavy tool required. Maybe newer bikes have different engineered threads, but I still work with my old bikes. Thanks again for the travel tips.
just a doubt, What would you do with the bike box after landing and how would you get bike box after you've finished the ride and decided to pack the bike back to home.
Word of caution be sure if adding gear you do not pack items such as fuel canisters or items that may be prohibited. Be safe don't be sorry trying to save a buck or two. Those organic beans would be a prohibited item on return to the United States even could cause the entire box to be subject to confiscation and rather large fine.
Thank you for this video, Ryan! Lots of great info! And perfect timing, too, as I'm preparing for my trip out to Boulder for the Bolder Boulder and would like to bring my bike along so I can take a couple of days to explore all the awesome trails in the Boulder area. Speaking of which, would really appreciate a recommendation for a local bike shop/mechanic to take it to once we get there.
Pro tip: Be sure to ZIP TIE (or securely tape) EVERYTHING TOGETHER!!! Carboard boxes can get trashed by the airlines. The worst is if they get wet. Then they disintegrate! So if everything's secured together, you at least get all your parts at your destination. You could wrap the entire thing with shrink wrap to hold it together. (A friend flew cross-country. Got to the east coast and they handed him just his frame, fork and rear wheel. "Where's the BOX????" he asked. "What box?" they replied!) Alternatively: Cut frame in half, install S&S couplers! Put bike in airline-size suitcase and Bob's your uncle! (Easier said than done, but still!!!) Might be doing this to a LeMond in a few weeks to make it more travel-friendly... Hoping the coupled Co-Motion tandem makes the trip instead!!!
PS Whenever flying in the future with a bike, I'm going to be SURE to install AirTag(s) in it. So that way if the airline "loses," your bike, you can find it via AirTag and say, "No, it's right THERE in the Munich/London/Barcelona/etc. airport! Please send it here ASAP!!!" Shouldn't ever get "lost" in the future. That way my tour won't be ruined by a lost bike and no way to pedal! (At least that's the hope...)
In addition to making sure the box fits the airline’s size regulations, if you are putting gear into the box, make sure it doesn’t make it overweight (50lbs).
Hey Ray quick question for you have you ever run into any issues with suspension air suspension front shocks getting checked indoor issues with the TSA I’ve had my air cylinders or CO2 cartridges pulled before just don’t want to have an issue next month thanks
Hi, Ryan! Would you risk travel with the bike to europe (I'm traveling the other way) with two stops along the way? Isn't it too risky? I'm afraid it gets lost or stolen between flights and won't know what to do if the bike disapears and I have to catch another flight within two hours...
Currently on tour Honduras - Colombia, I’m riding the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, then I’ll ride south and take a flight from Panamá city to Barranquilla. So this is informative and helpful! Cheers Ryan!
I just got a box from my bike shop,it looks the size of the one in this video. It seems very big, hung out boot of car, worried will it fit in taxi with all other luggage. Also other videos say snug is good so not sure how I'll pack out such a large box?
I've had an experience where I piled extra gear into my bike box and the airline declined to take it due to the weight. So use some discretion when piling in extra stuff. That aside, I like the idea of shipping the bike ahead with Bikeflights or FedEx etc. - but every time I've looked into it was significantly more expensive than paying the extra baggage fees with the airline. What has your experience been, Ryan?
Thanks Ryan! Been waiting for a video like this for a while. I do wonder, what do you do for the return? Do you look for a bikeshop in your destination and do the same process? Keep up your content you're super inspiring
Something I do is mark things with blue painters tape. I put a piece of tape on the stem and another on the handlebars. I then use a marker to draw a line across both pieces of tape. The allows me the put my bars back on in the exact location they should be by lining up the two lines. If I have to remove my seat post I wrap a piece of tape around the post exactly were it enters the seat tube. This takes all the guess work of lining things up again once you're at your destination. Blue painters tape doesn't leave any residue on your stem/bars/post.
Nice one Duzer! Just coz I'm suspicious of handlers laying the box flat, even piling other baggage on top, I have cut pieces of stiff drawing tube the internal width of the box and positioned them accordingly. Adds side crush strength with very little additional weight. Handlers I've spoken to say they flat handle boxes on the conveyors (you'd have to), but upright them where they're static. Of course, we still keep our fingers crossed for their respect of our kit.
Your joy and excitement are infectious. Thanks!
if you are shipping or bringing your bike on a plane.. something to think about is to make sure that the size is correct. getting a box at a bike store that came to the store in a big truck, may not fit the requirements for the plane.. and would cause you some serious oversizing costs..ups is 108 inches.. length plus girth.. so .. just being over by a little and they will stick you with "oversized". I have a bike box, but have sold bikes on eBay and shipped using fedex.. they have a bike box and it's not huge!
Shipping bike to the destination ahead of time is HUGE! Goofing around in a foreign airport is nightmare food. Thx man, look forward to your trip, stay safe!
Immediately shared this with my daughter who needed to pack her son's bike to ship to him.
Right on
New trip yayyyyyy
Ryan we love you so much. I hope you read it, this is my first letter to you. I have enjoyed watching each of your adventures. I went on a few little bike tours years ago and the taste remained in my mouth. (Turkish idiom :) ) I will do a 1500 km tour over the coastline this May or June. The most difficult thing for us in Turkey is to find materials. because everything we buy in Turkey is 20 times more expensive. this is no joke. that's why we are in optimum cost and product supply right now. You have inspired me this year. please be happy every day and live well because you live in america. thanks.
Thanks so much. Just sitting in front of a bike box as I’m going to be flying tomorrow!
Heading to Iowa from NH in July for my first RAGBRAI and have been stressing about how to get the bike there. Perfect timing for the video, Ryan! I can do this - Thanks!!
I have traveled with a bike several times. Boxed it up and put it on a Greyhound bus, also went to Iowa for RAGBRAI on Amtrak and just wheeled it onto the train and they parked it in the cargo car road ready. That was much easier. I arrived in Omaha a day early and had a 60 mile ride to the starting point.
@@alexriddles492 I have been considering the train also and have just begun to look into it. Thanks!
See you at RAGBRAI
Thanks!
Thank you SO MUCH!!!! I really appreciate your support
🤔. Mexico. Say Hi to Mira🐕.🥰
Good info on packing a bike in a box. The only thing I would add is to pad the handlebars and zip tie them to the head tube. Even with stuff packed around them they can shift and stress the cables. Doesn't hurt to zip tie a crank arm too. Happy Trails (tails😁🌞)
🚴♂️🚴♂️🐕
Send the bike ahead! Oh that's the most best advice ever! I am doing that😊
I NEEDED this video right now! Thank you, Ryan. An amazing tip for adding a piece of cardboard between the front brake pads. I've not heard this before. THANK YOU!
I just subscribed because, it’s true, beans are awesome!
They sure are!!! Thanks for subscribing
You are my hero. I am going to do it myself
Oh i do ... I was denied last year finishing the whole XWA MTB route but this year ... I got the ok to try it all again and this time I will complete it and i am going to take my time vs trying to speed through as that was my mistake last time in addition to just carrying too much gear so I am not going to make that mistake again ... two months about to get more fitness and lighten my person as well ... and gosh am I feeling the excitement already =)
Oh wow a boxing video, oh wait no gloves required lol. Thank you for covering this important topic. My son many years ago was a semi pro BMX rider and traveled all over the world with his bike. Back then he simply disassemble it put it in a garment bag and took it on the plane. I think this method would’ve been much better if he have used it.
enjoying the shirt i see lol good to see you again doing what you love
I love that shirt!!! Thanks so much my man
Wishing you an amazing trip. We are just starting to turn a corner in Michigan towards spring. Fat biking in the snow has been fun but I'm over the snow and itching to hit some rail trails. Watching your videos helped me through the long winter. Thanks.
Same in Anchorage! Here comes the sun 🎶☀️
Thanks so much! This is going to be my first trip with my bike and you made the shipping part easy. Cheers man!
Glad I could help!
Great video!
I have been traveling with a bicycle for six years. I bring a used bicycle that I leave there and don't bring back.
Saves on the hassle and someone benefits from it abroad.
Good move!
Love it Ryan! I also put cardboard or foam around my forks so don’t poke through the box or get scratched. I also tape piece of wood in between my brake lever and handlebar so they can’t be squeezed on accident! See you it Boulder!!
Duzer....perfect timing! My wife and I are heading for our first bike tour this summer in Spain on the Camino de Santiago and we were just now researching backing/shipping our bikes. Excellent video...two thumbs up!!!👍👍😀
Super useful video, thanks Ryan!
We're planning our first attempt at longer distance bikepacking, and will need to pack our bikes into boxes in a few months, and it's something we've never done before. Very helpful to see how to do so.
MY GAWD, THANK YOU! Damn Fiido doesn't want to send return packaging for their crappy bike that broke within the first 3 days of owning it! Thanks so much for the insight on how to send it back!
You got it
Mate, you da best, I'm moving soon(internationally) and was wondering how I would pack my road bike. Tysm
Good luck with your trip. Look forward to the first episode.
Nice video like to see you back, I also remove the rear derailleur and tape it inside the frame.
I always wanted to know more about this.
Recently did a trip to Ireland with my bike.
- wrap frame parts in pipe lagging or pool noodles
- keep old polystyrene packing pieces and place between walls of box so that if anything is on top of the box when flat, they take the strain, not the frame.
- let some air out of tires
- instead of cardboard for disc pads I take a couple of old frequent points shopping cards, or hotel cards (not the RFC kind), and bend and place in there...they remain springy and force pads from closing. I place an elastic band around that and brake caliper to keep from falling out.
- duct tape...place small strips around box handles to reinforce those as baggage handlers are not thinking of care ... just speed....and they rip
- take circular disc brakes off and place in padding onboard with you to keep from getting bent
- square pieces of foam ceiling tiles on inside of box where wheel axles are and anywhere else useful. You can buy these or find them on dumpsters in building sites.
- duct tape is illegal onboard for some airlines, so once you're done packing up a box, 'post' the tape into the box thru one of the handles for using other end.
Best video on TH-cam explaining this lol thank you so much ❤😊
Glad it was helpful!
I checked my bike at the gate😪. What I did was but a pretty cheap surfboard carrier which fit around the bike box perfectly. The box was about your size. With that, I had a should harness to carry the box over my shoulder like a bag. Just a small pointer that helped me a lot. The surfboard carrier was less than $20. The cost is the same as a checked bag. Very inexpensive compared to shipping.
also side note. i found your channel at like 98k subs and now like a year later 143k. thats some crazy growth !!!
A great fun video, boxing up your bike for adventure 🎉👍🎉
Well have a very safe trip and we’ll see your adventure soon Ryan
Enjoy my friend 🇺🇸🙏❤️🏴
I could totally be this guy's friend. Awesome vid, thanks!
Let’s be friends ;)
Ryan Ryan Ryan! We are not all gates & pinion. How about deraileur? Most of u hav em. Do you remove in the past? Extra protection? Remove and zip tie to rear triangle? What’s it been like to reattach a deraileur on arrival? You inspire me. I’m flying Anchorage to StL in April for Katy Trail. My first tour 🤠
I never removed a derailleur
I like to reinforce the handholds in the box with duct tape. Had one trip where there were huge holes where handlers had ripped them out when lifting.
I've been waiting for another adventure.. be safe my friend 🙏 ❤
Fabulous video upload, Ryan! Thanks for the great boxing lesson.
Timely. We need to get our bikes to Ragbrai from Nova Scotia. Thanks!
Hi Ryan, I’ve just watched your epic trip in 2005 with Jeff !
Simply Joyriding at its best and to this day now!
Right on!! That was the adventure of a lifetime
Right on Duzer.👍
Safe travels!
Hi Ryan, thanks for the packing tips.... any idea how to get rid of that cardboard boxes on the airport? Thanks!
Now that's something you can use...very educational...job well done Ryan 👍🏻
Thank you for the video I am just about to pack my bike for a flight. Great point about not tightening the pedals too.1 suggestion is to call the LBS ahead of time about a box and give them a heads up. I've gone a couple times without calling first and they were like "yesterday was trash day we just threw them all out" good grief, plan ahead. Second usually they will give you or you can ask for the protective pieces that the bike shipped with such as foam noodle and plastic discs that go on the wheel to prevent it from breaking through the cardboard box. Also most of the major airlines - Delta, American, Alaska (I think SWA is still $75) now treat a bike as normal baggage and only charge the $30 if it's your first bag (it used to be $150!.). If you're touring and are returning home it can be challenge to get the box to where you are staying from the LBS for the flight one
Whats funny is that I was recently hoping you would make a video about this bike shipping process! Hah! Thank you for reading my mind!
Show us how you pack up at the end of an epic adventure!
I was thinking the same thing. What happens to the box at the destination? Do you then mail it to the end of the ride or hope to find one?
Thanks for the advice and helpful tips Duzer!
Nice. If you have a rear derailleur good idea is unscrew and let it hanging on the chain.
Derralleur and hanger are a very weak parts.
The goat
This rocks
Thanks for making this video. I didn’t know it was that easy, and I would have never thought to use a service to ship the box ahead of time.
This is awesome, Ryan. I really needed this video right now :D Thank you so much
Thanks for video Ryan. I think there are so many ways to ship a bike,
depending on where you are and wich airline company you fly.
I prefer to take it on the plane, as extra luggage.
My experience with KLM, flying from Europe, is very good.
It is relatively cheap. The max weight allowed is 23 kg.
(This means you cannot put too much extra gear in the box.)
The cardboard box must not exceed certain dimensions.
So I always take a cardboard box that just fits my bike.
And I do use much more protective foam than you did in the video.
I also make sure that the bike cannot move around too much inside the box.
I always remove the rear derailleur, because that can easily damage.
Always make 1000% sure you bring all the necessary tools to reassemble the bike!!!
I wonder what you did with the box when you arrived in Mexico,
and which box you used to fly the bike back??
For me that is always the biggest hassle, to find a box, and to
transport the bike/box to the airport, for my flight home.
Great bike at a great price
Thanks for the video Ryan. I always wondered how people traveled with their bikes lol.
thanks for that!
but what do you do with the box on the other side, when you don't need it any more?
Not a fan of flying but love this great video for those that are!!
It's time, I'm absolutely going to have to pay the 200 fee. It just flooded in Panamá city and I'm contemplating cycling to an office supply store to get bubblewrap right now because it's going to keep pouring and there's a break in the rain...
Thank you for this! You made it look way easier than I was thinking! :)
Thanks for the help! Do you look for a new box when you return home?
I do, that can be the tricky part
Have you met john Freeman of Alberta , Canada? Hes on a 7 continents ride with his dog, according to the news, Peterborough examiner!
Thank you for info.
You're welcome
Wow, this was really informative Duzer! And yeah I didn't know it could be that easy. I know I'm older than you but I would've cut to some vintage "Samsonite gorilla luggage Handler" commercial footage to emphasize just how rough things can get 😅. Speaking of which you might want to use box tape to "laminate" the handles on the bike box in case one of the handlers have to get rough with it and the tape should prevent the box handle opening from ripping wide open. Just a thought.
Thanks Ryan for all the triail videos, the know how's and the advice you give on mountain biking, I will be visiting Colorado the spring and summer to, get out there and ride!
So this means another Mexico adventure video coming soon!? I hope so. Frijoles abound!
Thanks a lot.
That reminds me, I wanted to go look at the Priority website and shop for a bike.
Great info
Where do you get a box for when you need to ship back? Do you also ask local bike shops then?
Never mind the box, where do you get that shirt?!
Thanks! Was wondering how you sent your bike before you covered it at the end.
Getting that big a box to and through the airport would have been a chore.
Great video Duzer! Unrelated but QQ...what back rack do you have on your bike? I'd love to get one!~ thanks
Thanks for the useful tips Ryan. I wanted to ask, what do you do you with your cans of food after you have finished them to prevent rotten food smell? Just bag it up in a baggie and put it in the frame bag?
My bean cans are spotless after one meal ;) Then I smash em down and carry them until I find a trash can (or recycling)
How much more than taking the bike with you on the plane is shipping it ahead? Last time I fly it it was almost double the cost.
what gps do you use to navigate your trips? do you use different kinds or have one specific one gps?
Viaje seguro!
Did your front rotor stay true? I cringed when I saw it was facing outwards. Maybe ensure it can clear the down tube with the rotor inwards?
IDK how to do it, but I could, and can, try.
Give it a shot!
Hi Ryan. Thanks for the packing tips. The pedals might be a bit of a problem for some because each pedal loosens (and tightens) differently. The left pedal is opposite of most threads. To loosen, one must turn it to the right (loosen by cranking the wrench to the right; clockwise!). To put back on, tighten by turning to the left (counterclockwise). Also, I find that a small crescent wrench can get in to remove the pedals; no large heavy tool required. Maybe newer bikes have different engineered threads, but I still work with my old bikes. Thanks again for the travel tips.
Was this video made before you ended up not going to Mexico, or is this a more recent update, and now you are heading to Mexico to meet up with Mira?
Hi, wondering about the box size you used, what are the dimensions and total weight?
I have no idea, I always try to get a mountain bike box because they're bigger than road bike boxes
just a doubt, What would you do with the bike box after landing and how would you get bike box after you've finished the ride and decided to pack the bike back to home.
I throw away the box and look for another one when I get to my destination
Word of caution be sure if adding gear you do not pack items such as fuel canisters or items that may be prohibited. Be safe don't be sorry trying to save a buck or two. Those organic beans would be a prohibited item on return to the United States even could cause the entire box to be subject to confiscation and rather large fine.
Thank you for this video, Ryan! Lots of great info! And perfect timing, too, as I'm preparing for my trip out to Boulder for the Bolder Boulder and would like to bring my bike along so I can take a couple of days to explore all the awesome trails in the Boulder area. Speaking of which, would really appreciate a recommendation for a local bike shop/mechanic to take it to once we get there.
When flying with your bike do you pay by whieght or per package?
By package
I may have to do this for a All island Hawaii tour. Duzer want to try Hawaii with me this summer?
Pro tip: Be sure to ZIP TIE (or securely tape) EVERYTHING TOGETHER!!! Carboard boxes can get trashed by the airlines. The worst is if they get wet. Then they disintegrate! So if everything's secured together, you at least get all your parts at your destination. You could wrap the entire thing with shrink wrap to hold it together.
(A friend flew cross-country. Got to the east coast and they handed him just his frame, fork and rear wheel. "Where's the BOX????" he asked. "What box?" they replied!)
Alternatively:
Cut frame in half, install S&S couplers! Put bike in airline-size suitcase and Bob's your uncle! (Easier said than done, but still!!!)
Might be doing this to a LeMond in a few weeks to make it more travel-friendly...
Hoping the coupled Co-Motion tandem makes the trip instead!!!
PS Whenever flying in the future with a bike, I'm going to be SURE to install AirTag(s) in it. So that way if the airline "loses," your bike, you can find it via AirTag and say, "No, it's right THERE in the Munich/London/Barcelona/etc. airport! Please send it here ASAP!!!" Shouldn't ever get "lost" in the future. That way my tour won't be ruined by a lost bike and no way to pedal! (At least that's the hope...)
In addition to making sure the box fits the airline’s size regulations, if you are putting gear into the box, make sure it doesn’t make it overweight (50lbs).
Mine always weigh more than 50lbs, they don’t seem to care
Probably because you are shipping it. Flying with it, they are very particular.
Hey Ray quick question for you have you ever run into any issues with suspension air suspension front shocks getting checked indoor issues with the TSA I’ve had my air cylinders or CO2 cartridges pulled before just don’t want to have an issue next month thanks
If you have tubeless tires will sealant leak out? (Traveling in airplane)
If i won't use my bike for some months, should I store it in a box or leave it assembled as it is?
Hi, Ryan!
Would you risk travel with the bike to europe (I'm traveling the other way) with two stops along the way? Isn't it too risky?
I'm afraid it gets lost or stolen between flights and won't know what to do if the bike disapears and I have to catch another flight within two hours...
Currently on tour Honduras - Colombia, I’m riding the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, then I’ll ride south and take a flight from Panamá city to Barranquilla. So this is informative and helpful! Cheers Ryan!
I just got a box from my bike shop,it looks the size of the one in this video. It seems very big, hung out boot of car, worried will it fit in taxi with all other luggage. Also other videos say snug is good so not sure how I'll pack out such a large box?
how do you get this bike onto the plane though. pretty sure this exceeds the check in baggage size for most airlines...
I’ve never had a problem with the size…it goes with oversized baggage
@@duzer ah ok, need to email the carrier beforehand to check the size i guess. Is it the same on budget airlines or have you never used those?
Where r u guys located ?
I've had an experience where I piled extra gear into my bike box and the airline declined to take it due to the weight. So use some discretion when piling in extra stuff. That aside, I like the idea of shipping the bike ahead with Bikeflights or FedEx etc. - but every time I've looked into it was significantly more expensive than paying the extra baggage fees with the airline. What has your experience been, Ryan?
Thanks Ryan! Been waiting for a video like this for a while. I do wonder, what do you do for the return? Do you look for a bikeshop in your destination and do the same process? Keep up your content you're super inspiring