Flying with cycle computer

drexel1975

I'm going to Majorca soon for a weeks cycling. Should my Wahoo cycle computer go in the hold baggage or in the carry-on baggage. I believe it has a Li-ion battery.

bendertherobot

It's internal battery so, should be fine, like most electronic stuff.

I'd take it on the plane though, take out at luggage control, stick on the tray. Did the same with my Fenix 5. They won't have an issue

N0bodyOfTheGoat

You might find your flight ride is flagged.;)

First.Aspect

No different from a phone.

drexel1975

Thanks. My initial thought was to stick it in the hold but I can see that taking it on as carry-on is a better idea.

cougie

bendertherobot wrote:

It's internal battery so, should be fine, like most electronic stuff.

I'd take it on the plane though, take out at luggage control, stick on the tray. Did the same with my Fenix 5. They won't have an issue

My fenix goes everywhere with me. Never had to take it off for flying though ?

sungod

the correct approach is always to look at the airline's baggage rules, they do vary

but as above if it's inside a device it's typically ok in checked baggage, 'loose' spare batteries are generally to be avoided

i've packed my srm head unit in checked baggage umpteen times, no problem

cougie

drexel1975 wrote:

Thanks. My initial thought was to stick it in the hold but I can see that taking it on as carry-on is a better idea.

I'd take it hand luggage. It's small light and high value. Why would you risk it in the hold ?

sniper68

Mine was in the bike box attached to the bike.I've done the trip twice with no issues.Everything apart from phone/passport/wallet/toiletries goes in the bike box 8)
Only problem I've had is with CO2 cartridges.OK in the hold if you inform them at check in(max 2/EasyJet) outbound but inbound from Palma they would not allow them on the plane :roll: :?:

Matthewfalle

is there any difference between that battery and the one in a telephone?

bendertherobot

cougie wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

It's internal battery so, should be fine, like most electronic stuff.

I'd take it on the plane though, take out at luggage control, stick on the tray. Did the same with my Fenix 5. They won't have an issue

My fenix goes everywhere with me. Never had to take it off for flying though ?

You need to take a watch off for the security gate though, or it beeps. I don't know if they just wave you through but I just take it off and stick it in the tray, then back on again.

cougie

Never been asked for the watch. Don't normally beep and whenbi do it seems unrelated to what I'm wearing.
I do a fair bit of flying so I'm pretty good at packing to get through without fuss.

svetty

A mate just took his with him and then used it to track our flight home. Strange watching the arrow whizzing along at 550 mph (must have had a tailwind....)

SlinkyJ

I put mine in one of my shoes, with the mount, which are also in the hand luggage. Never take it out and never been asked about it in the last 6 or 7 times I've been.

Take my lid, shoes, computer, pedals and pump all in hand luggage. Never an issue.

First.Aspect

I put my 820 in a box with a variety of biohazard and explosives warning labels. I've never had any problems as long as I take my shoes off without being asked.

topcattim

sungod wrote:

the correct approach is always to look at the airline's baggage rules, they do vary ......

......'loose' spare batteries are generally to be avoided

Gosh, I always bring spare batteries for HRM strap and power meter when I travel, never realised that this might be a problem if they are loose. Is that a thing, then?

ex-pat scot

Just keep it in the cabin luggage.
Switch on.
Bingo - KOMs galore.

slowbike

Svetty wrote:

A mate just took his with him and then used it to track our flight home. Strange watching the arrow whizzing along at 550 mph (must have had a tailwind....)

Then you can do real Strava Flybys !!

sungod

topcattim wrote:

Gosh, I always bring spare batteries for HRM strap and power meter when I travel, never realised that this might be a problem if they are loose. Is that a thing, then?

you're generally ok with small button cells etc., that's why i said read the airline rules, they go into much more detail about exactly what's allowed/restricted/banned

cells like li-ion with high energy density are generally subject to more rules (i.e. for etap/di2/eps/etc.) - if one fails, or is badly packed and shorts, there's a real risk of fire, even internal failures can occur

a lot of people want cheap stuff, disreputable suppliers in the chain can result in badly designed or poor/zero-qc or qc-failed cells ending up in products, look up 'hoverboard fires' to see why they/similar tat are banned from flights, even phone fires can be nasty

akh

Most airlines are fine with electronic devices in either hold baggage or hand luggage as long as the battery is safely inside the device and below a certain capacity (which any bike computer battery will be). Personally I always take mine in my hand luggage because I like to trust baggage handlers with as few valuables as possible.

WheelMeals

Related: Don’t put gels in your hand luggage as they’re flagged as a “threat item” and you have to go through the whole rigamarole of them going through your stuff.

Ps: Wahoo’s gps is ropey overseas imo if your using for nav, so take a phone also. It Really let me down on a ride from Paris-Versailles-country side, constantly having to check my phone which was super annoying

topcattim

WheelMeals wrote:

Ps: Wahoo’s gps is ropey overseas imo if your using for nav, so take a phone also. It Really let me down on a ride from Paris-Versailles-country side, constantly having to check my phone which was super annoying

It's worked fine for me in Cyprus, France and Italy.

WheelMeals

Good to know worked for you, will drop Wahoo a note to ask why didn't work.

Started in central Paris maybe built up so didnt latch to GPS.

topcattim

WheelMeals wrote:

Good to know worked for you, will drop Wahoo a note to ask why didn't work.

Started in central Paris maybe built up so didnt latch to GPS.

That's a difference I noted between Garmin and Wahoo. Garmin always used to take a while to find itself when I arrived in another country. Wahoo finds itself immediately.

pilot_pete

Take valuable items in hand luggage, don’t pack them in hold luggage. Read the airlines baggage policy which will state what you can/ can’t take onboard. Many everyday items become dangerous goods when taken on an aircraft and there are some items that are completely prohibited and others that have restrictions on quantities, packaging and placement in the aircraft from holds, to cabin, to on the person.

As far as GPSs go, I personally take them in my hand luggage for security reasons (not getting an expensive electronic item nicked). Simply remove it with your other electrical items and place it in the tray at security. It will not be an issue. As for loose batteries, they are a big risk due to possible shorting out. Modern laptop batteries etc can suffer thermal runaway and burst into flames. Flames and planes do not mix well. If you are in any doubt and can’t find the answers to your questions on the airlines website, phone them up and speak to someone. Often they will get it wrong, depending on who you speak to, and will err on the side of caution and just say no!

PP