At Brevet we believe bikes were born to travel, if you are giving your bike a holiday this summer then these bike box packing tips from Sam and Hannah Gardner of Bike Box Online will help you pack your bike box safely for air travel.
Bike Box Packing Tips
How to Pack a Bike Box
Here’s a recap of the bike box packing tips from Sam Gardner from Bike Box Online.
1. Remove pedals
To remove the pedals you’ll need a pedal wrench, it’s a simple tool that gives you more leverage for removing the pedals, your local bike shop will have one to buy cheaply. Remember when putting them back on that the left pedal is left threaded, right pedal is right threaded. It’s simple to remember that the pedals undo in the opposite direction that your wheels go in. Some pedals can be removed with a size 6mm or 8mm Allen key.
2. Deflate wheels completely and fix into lid of Bike Box using wheel skewers
When you’re taking out the rear wheel put the chain onto the smallest sprocket on the bike and the biggest on the front. By having the chain on the smallest gear at the back the rear wheel will clear the derailleur more easily. Placing the chain on the front big ring will protect the gears and your hands.
When you place the front wheel into the box make sure you leave a gap for the reinforcing pole to go through the spokes.
3. Remove seat post
Marking the seat post with some tape will help you get it back on at the same height when you reassemble the bike.
4. Remove handlebar stem
Sometimes it can be easier to take the front plate off and remove the handlebars. Always put the spacers and bolts back on so you don’t lose them.
5. Secure frame into Bike Box
Place the bike into the bike box with the chain set adjacent to the hinge and the chain set facing away from you on the bottom of the bike box.
6. Secure seat pin/seat and crash hat into available Velcro straps
It’s useful to place some lightweight non essential items in the bike box such as your helmet, but it’s best to take your pedals and cycling shoes as hand luggage, that way if your bike doesn’t make it you can easily use another bike.
7. Lay foam sheet over bike
Check the closure is nice and tight.
8. Install anti crush pole
The spokes may need adjusting to allow alignment of the anti crush pole, just turn the front wheel around so the pole isn’t resting on your spokes.
9. Give your bike a holiday!
Hire or Buy a Bike Box Online
At Brevet we’re proud to work with Bike Box Online and Bike Box Alan, whether you are looking to buy a bike box or hire a bike box online check out our special offers from our Brevet Partners.
Sam and Hannah are offering all Brevet customers a discount of £5 on any order from Bike Box Online. Simply enter the code ‘brevet’ in the discount code section in the booking form to get your £5 discount.
Cycling Holiday Packing List
So apart from your bike, what else do you need to pack? Check out our handy cycling holiday packing list.
Sportive Training Plan
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