Packing bike for transport. What to use to brace forks/frame

dragonontheedge

I am off to Spain again this summer and will be taking my Allez

I dont like cycle racks for a number of reasons so each year I strip the bike down and pack it very carefully in the boot of my car. I have up to now braced the frame and forks with wood following which I pack loose towels around the bike and in the triangles to protect it further from scratching and the weight of our suitcase.

This year I will be doing the same again but would rather brace the forks with something a little more professional. Is there something out there that I can use? I have had a trawl around the internet but cant find anything.

I dropped into Cycle UK today but being a senile, absent minded old pratt I forgot to ask them.

Thanks

Al

centimani

Have you got as good relationship with your LBS Al ?
I assume as they assemble new bikes, theyre taking out, and throwing away the factory fitted ones. Perhaps they've chuck em at you gladly.

dragonontheedge

I have spent enought there so I will see what they have got.

Cheers

Al

stigofthedump

Any old hubs in the shed?

Monty Dog

Get the plastic frame spacers from your LBS or a couple of lengths of copper pipe cut to size, some 8 mm washers and your wheel QRs are a lot more secure.

Wamas

"or a couple of lengths of copper pipe cut to size, some 8 mm washers"

Nice idea,

I hadn't thought of that one!!

ascurrell

I have used a bike box [cardboard] Halfords etc throw them away. Gives obious certain amount of protection. Can be laid flat so may also aid packing other items.
When I have flown in the past I have lined a bike bag with a cardboard box, bit of bubble wrap, electrical tape and pipe insulation in strategic places had no problem even with those 'tossing the caber' baggage handlers.
I know you wasn't asking about flying but if anyone is keep an eye on weight limits which have crept in.

Also where in Spain are you going ?
Hope this may be of some help, Scurry

dragonontheedge

ascurrell wrote:

Also where in Spain are you going ?
Hope this may be of some help, Scurry

Thanks for the advice Scurry

Catalonia near Pals, LlaFranc and Tamariu.

The scenery is stunning and the cycling is even better. I just love it. I start every morning at about 6 am with a 7 mile ride to a beach near Begur where I swim 1km followed by 8 miles back home via a local bakery for fresh warm croissants. MMMmmmmmm

I hope to do a bit more this year but dont really care if I dont. Its a holiday after all !! 8)

tom22

buy some thin pvc pipe from a hardware store, cut it to the width of the gap then tape over the ends to protect the frame, then cable tie it in place.
very cheap.

ascurrell

dragonontheedge wrote:

ascurrell wrote:

Also where in Spain are you going ?
Hope this may be of some help, Scurry

Thanks for the advice Scurry

Catalonia near Pals, LlaFranc and Tamariu.

The scenery is stunning and the cycling is even better. I just love it. I start every morning at about 6 am with a 7 mile ride to a beach near Begur where I swim 1km followed by 8 miles back home via a local bakery for fresh warm croissants. MMMmmmmmm

I hope to do a bit more this year but dont really care if I dont. Its a holiday after all !! 8)

Sounds great, I haven't cycled in Spain for a couple of years due to injury but when I visit my Spanish Mother- laws in the future I hope to get back in the saddle. God it is hard work though as I'm only a leisure cyclist and there you can't go anywhere without hitting the Mountains . She lives about 20 miles inland from a Town called Gandia. Its midway between Valencia and Benidorm roughley, Cheers for now Scurry.

ps My benefit is that I leave a bike out there, it is an Airborne Thunderbolt [alloy] which I bought nice and cheap on ebay.

Burghley

Hi

I regularly travel on holiday with my bike in the boot. It is more secure, easier to take on Eurotunnel etc, and you don't arrive at your destination with an orange chain after rain! I am fortunate, however, in that there are only two of us travelling - although you wouldn't think so from the bags (running kit, cycling kit and helmet, and even a few ordinary clothes).

My solution is to put the bike on top of the luggage with a boot liner from Lidl keeping the luggage clean. Only the STi levers need to touch the boot floor. The wheels rest on top of the bike (again with a boot liner for protection between bike and wheels).Hard cases would be best for weight bearing, but with soft luggage it is far easier to fill up all the spare spaces.

If I pack the boot very carefully, I can just about get the bike out without disturbing the rest.

Rgds

Pete