Touring - flying with bikes, wheels on or off?

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Gotte
04-17-07, 05:53 AM
My airline doesn't specify whether I should take the wheels off my bike. It has to be bagged, but my bag is big enough to fit bike with the back wheel on.
Anyone have an opinion whether it's better to keep them on or off. I'm guessing off as the package is smaller, ant there's less wheel area sticking out to bend.

Ken Brown
04-17-07, 07:00 AM
When boxing a bike it is normal to remove the front wheel but leave the back wheel in place. I think this would make sense with a bag as well, since the rear wheel would partially protect the deraileur.
gcl8a
04-17-07, 07:09 AM
Pure speculation, of course, but they probably want the wheel off for space reasons.

Make sure the rear derailer is protected.

gcl8a
04-18-07, 09:23 AM
When boxing a bike it is normal to remove the front wheel but leave the back wheel in place. I think this would make sense with a bag as well, since the rear wheel would partially protect the deraileur.

Heh. At least we're in agreement about protecting the derailer.:)
onbike 1939
04-18-07, 09:58 AM
Heh. At least we're in agreement about protecting the derailer.:)


It's a pity the airlines seem to disagree.