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Packing a motorcycle bag isn’t as scary because it appears! This step-by-step information will stroll you thru breaking down your bike and packing it safely in case your bike bag for transit.
Fast suggestions for packing a motorcycle bag
So, you’ve booked an superior bike journey, however there’s one downside… How do you pack your bike for the airplane? I get it – the primary time I needed to pack my bike in a motorcycle bag, I used to be pressured and nervous that I’d screw up my bike massive time and I wouldn’t have the ability to take pleasure in my journey. However I’m right here to inform you that it’s not as intimidating or exhausting as it might appear.
Breaking down a motorcycle to slot in a motorcycle bag is straightforward in the event you comply with a guidelines. I’ve achieved it dozens of occasions and now I can pack my bike in lower than 20 minutes (thanks, I do know). On this submit, I share a step-by-step information for disassembling your bike, packing it up, and ensuring it’s steady and protected for transit.
Gathering your provides
Earlier than you begin breaking down your bike, you need to be sure to have the best instruments. Right here’s what you’ll want:
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Trying to construct up your bike instruments? Try my submit on what you want to your residence mountain bike device package.
Bike Bag Packing Directions
When you’ve gathered your whole provides, right here is the method I am going via when packing my bike into my Dakine bike bag.
Observe: it is a common guidelines for many bikes. It’s possible you’ll want to interrupt your bike down extra (or much less) relying on what it’s and what bike bag or field you could have.
1. Shift into the toughest/smallest gear on the rear cassette. This makes it simpler to take away/set up the rear wheel.
2. Put the dropper submit all the way in which down. In case you don’t have a dropper submit, loosen the seat submit collar and drop the seat submit down so far as it’ll go.
Observe: within the uncommon case that your dropper submit continues to be too tall when all the way in which down, you would possibly must take away it totally. It’s not as scary because it sounds. Right here’s an article on the best way to take away your dropper submit and the best way to reinstall it.
3. Take away the pedals. You probably have pedal washers, be sure to hold them in a baggie or zip-tie them to the cranks.
4. Take away the entrance and rear wheels and substitute the axles. Don’t overlook the axles!
Observe: You probably have a big bike field, you could possibly get away with leaving the rear wheel on.
6. Take away each rotors. This isn’t necessary, however after coping with one too many bent rotors I now all the time take away them. Loosely substitute the screws and pack the rotors in between two items of cardboard taped collectively and marked “entrance” and “rear”.
5. Partially deflate each tires and place the wheels within the wheel luggage. You probably have tubeless tires, don’t deflate the tires all the way in which otherwise you threat breaking the bead off the rim and shedding sealant. If this occurs, you’ll want a compressor to pump them again up and new sealant!
7. Place a small piece of cardboard or plastic brake spacer between each the entrance and rear brake pads. This prevents the pistons from advancing if the brakes are by accident squeezed when the wheels are eliminated.
8. Take away the derailleur from the derailleur hanger. I prefer to hold the derailleur totally open by partaking the lock ‘button’. This makes it simple to safe the derailleur to the chainstay with zip ties.
9. Take away the face plate and handlebars. I screw the faceplate again on after eradicating the handlebars so I don’t lose any of the small components.
Observe: In case your bike has an extended stem (like a highway or gravel bike), you’ll must take away the stem as properly. Do that by loosening the bolts on the aspect of the stem after which unscrewing the headset bolt.
10. Place the highest tube padding on the highest tube and safe the handlebars to the aspect with the velcro straps.
11. Slip the entrance fork sleeve over the entrance fork and safe it excessive cap. Relying on the dimensions of your bike (like an XL), chances are you’ll must take away air out of your entrance fork to get it to compress sufficient so it matches within the bag.
12. Place your bike into the bag. The rear triangle matches over the froth block.
13. Safe the straps and clips. This can be totally different for every bike bag, however there must be a minimum of a couple of straps and clips to safe your bike body, entrance fork, and wheels inside.
14. Add additional padding round your body as wanted. Then, zip up the bag and also you’re all achieved!
Obtain A Free Bike Bag Packing Listing
Suggestions for getting your bike bag underneath Airline weight limits
Flying with a motorcycle might be costly in the event you’re not cautious. After I flew to Mexico for my Oaxaca journey, my bag was over the 50lb weight restrict and I needed to pay $200 every approach! Ughhhhh….
However, there are some suggestions and methods you possibly can implement that will help you keep away from these nasty obese charges. Right here’s what I’ve discovered after years of touring and flying with my bikes.
Have you ever packed up your bike in a motorcycle bag? How did it go? What suggestions would you add? Let me know within the feedback!
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Thanks for the detailed guide! It makes the process seem much less daunting.
I appreciate the tips on packing and weight limits. This will definitely help for my next trip.
Great article! I never thought about removing the rotors before packing. Good advice.
This step-by-step breakdown is really helpful. I’ll refer back to it when I pack my bike next.
Nice tips! I’m going to try using zip ties for the derailleur like you suggested.