Your preparation checklist
Tell us how you travel and we build a checklist that fits – flying with your own bike, renting locally, driving or taking the train. Tick items off; progress is saved in this browser.
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How to pack a road bike for a flight
General good practice – always follow your airline's and your bike manufacturer's instructions. Airline fees and rules change; check them when you book.
Editorial Editorial guide. Airline-specific rules: [PLACEHOLDER] airline bike-policy table – Release 2, to be sourced
- Choose a box or bag
A hard case protects best; a soft bag is lighter and easier to store; a cardboard bike box from a shop is cheap for a one-off trip. Check your airline's size and weight limits first.
- Clean and check the bike
Clean the drivetrain and check tyres, brake pads and bolts before packing – damage is easier to spot on arrival.
- Remove pedals and wheels
Keep the pedal spanner or hex key with your tools. Remove skewers or thru-axles and pack them separately.
- Protect the frame
Wrap tubes in pipe insulation or frame pads and fit dropout spacers front and rear so the frame and fork can't be crushed.
- Lower the saddle, secure the bars
Mark the saddle height with tape first. Turn or remove the bars and wrap the shifters so nothing rubs against the top tube.
- Disc brakes
Insert pad spacers once the wheels are out so the pistons can't close. Protect the rotors or remove them.
- Rear derailleur
Many riders unbolt the derailleur from the hanger and wrap it inside the frame triangle to protect the hanger.
- Tyres, CO₂ and batteries
Airlines may ask for lower tyre pressure and can restrict CO₂ cartridges and some batteries – check your airline's current rules.
- Fill gaps, label, photograph
Use shoes, helmet and kit as padding, label the box with your name and phone, and photograph the packed bike for insurance.
- On arrival
Rebuild, check bolt torques and brakes, then do a short test ride before the first big day.
On-location ride companion
A mobile view of your day: today's route, distance and climbing, cafés and water, bike shops and emergency contacts – later with offline access. Not part of this first release; we don't offer live navigation or live road information.