Packing bike for travelling

stueys
stueys Posts: 1,332
edited February 2013 in Road general
Looking for something to put in the forks and back stay to protect against any accidents whilst in the bike box. I'm guessing that just buying two cheap solid axels are the best bet? Either that or knock up some wood to act as a spacer with a drilled hole for the QR.

Any thoughts on what would work? And if axels what sizes?

Comments

  • Beckers62
    Beckers62 Posts: 66
    Go to your local bike shop. They will give you a couple of plastic stays that come with new bikes
  • sunburntknees
    sunburntknees Posts: 272
    QR skewers.
  • Matchstick Man
    Matchstick Man Posts: 565
    Beckers62 wrote:
    Go to your local bike shop. They will give you a couple of plastic stays that come with new bikes

    +1
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    You need short lengths of plastic or copper pipe if you use your QRs as dropout spacers - will be stronger than the plastic packing spacers. Unscrew your rear mech from hanger, wrap in bubble wrap and cable tie to rear spacer.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Matchstick Man
    Matchstick Man Posts: 565
    Monty Dog wrote:
    You need short lengths of plastic or copper pipe if you use your QRs as dropout spacers - will be stronger than the plastic packing spacers. Unscrew your rear mech from hanger, wrap in bubble wrap and cable tie to rear spacer.

    I suspect if the plastic spacers aren't strong enough, yer bike is f**ked anyway.
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    Plastic spacers sounds ideal. Do people take the rear mech off? Was hoping to not need that in a hard case (I've a BBA)
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    edited February 2013
    I unbolt the rear mech, stick it in a plastic bag and cable tie it to the seat tube.

    ETA: One of the forum regulars did a really tidy job with some polystyrene packing!
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • Matchstick Man
    Matchstick Man Posts: 565
    Stueys wrote:
    Plastic spacers sounds ideal. Do people take the rear mech off? Was hoping to not need that in a hard case (I've a BBA)

    Its a 5mm allen key, it'll take you all of 10 seconds
  • mallorcajeff
    mallorcajeff Posts: 1,489
    Drill a chock off wood and put your qr through it.
  • Beckers62
    Beckers62 Posts: 66
    Stueys wrote:
    Plastic spacers sounds ideal. Do people take the rear mech off? Was hoping to not need that in a hard case (I've a BBA)

    8461525565_640b5a365f.jpg

    If you zoom in on my forks or chainstays you will see the purpose made braces in place, that my local bike shop gave me for free... yes free!

    btw... I know I hadn't taken the rear mech off at this point (just in case any pedants pick up on this)
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Plastic braces work for me- and I take the rear mech off - bubble wrap it and tape it to the frame padding inside the rear triangle.

    Mate of mine didn't take his off in a hard case and it snapped off the gear hanger.
  • Beckers62
    Beckers62 Posts: 66
    Another top tip about packing your kit in this months Cyclist magazine (which I didn't read until I was on the plane...doh!)

    Put your cycling shoes (and presumably your pedals) in your suitcase. If your bike does get lost in transit, getting a rental bike is a possibility... getting replacement shoes might be more difficult.
  • giropaul
    giropaul Posts: 414
    Beckers62 wrote:
    Another top tip about packing your kit in this months Cyclist magazine (which I didn't read until I was on the plane...doh!)

    Put your cycling shoes (and presumably your pedals) in your suitcase. If your bike does get lost in transit, getting a rental bike is a possibility... getting replacement shoes might be more difficult.

    Even beyond that, I think you'll find that most pros and seasoned riders put a pair of shoes in their hand luggage - can't get lost or delayed that way.

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