Advice on packing a bike box

MegaCycle
MegaCycle Posts: 236
edited May 2008 in Workshop
I have just bought a hard case for my bike and I am having problems fitting it in. It's a Scicon Aerotech.

I have managed to get the wheels attached to the side, but I can figure out how the bars are supposed to sit in the case. Also, how do I stop the forks from clattering about up and down in the head tube now it's all loose (due to the bars having been removed. I am a bit worried it will all get bashed about (eg the seat post and bars hitting the frame).

Does anyone know any good photos showing how it's meant to fit? Or just general advice?

Ta

Comments

  • GeorgeShaw
    GeorgeShaw Posts: 764
    You can find various pages on the web describing how to do it. For example:

    http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/featur ... teps.shtml

    ... or:

    http://www.rbc-pressoffice.co.uk/press/ ... Box_en.pdf
  • drewster_70
    drewster_70 Posts: 36
    Did you remove the bars and stem together, or just remove the stemplate (assuming it's an aheadset)? If there's plenty of foam lagging on the tubes, the forks should be close to the frame to not move about...and you can secure them with zip-ties or electrical tape.

    Whatever you do, don't forget to pack the spaces between the front and rear dropouts with one of those plastic spacers from your LBS!
  • MegaCycle
    MegaCycle Posts: 236
    thanks George Shaw.

    Drewster - spacers? didn't know about those. I wondered what stopped the fork from snapping! It all looks a bit precarious in there for my precious bike, I must say! I removed the stem and bars as a single unit. This leaves the steering tube rattling up and down in the head tube, which worries me. I guess taping it all up is a good move. Thanks.
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    You could try fitting a cable-tie really tightly around the exposed top of the steerer. that would stop the forks dropping out of the frame.

    If you can't get hold of the fork & stay-end spacers, just cut a couple of blocks of wood to the right size, shove in and tape in place.

    Remember to remove the rear mech and cable hanger, tape to the inside of one of the stays.
  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    Couldn't you just remove the face plate from the stem, pull the bars out, and leave the stem in place?
    I only have a small bike, so I can just loosen, then turn the bars and hook one of the drops under the top tube.
    Either of these ways, you are not going to get to the other end and have to assemble a bag full of well distributed parts.
    Your local bike shop should be able to supply you with spacers foc, they are usually thrown away after unpacking new bikes.
    http://lakescyclist.wordpress.com/
  • MegaCycle
    MegaCycle Posts: 236
    Nickwill wrote:
    Couldn't you just remove the face plate from the stem, pull the bars out, and leave the stem in place?

    Now why didn't I think of that! Much better idea. The stem, after all, is in the same plane as the frame, so doesn't really need to come off. I was just following the instructions with the box which advised taking the stem off.

    Thanks everyone!

Categories