Originally Posted by
Steve_sr
This looks like the final packing configuration less the chain and RD removal. Hopefully, I can get a few more miles in on it before packing for the trip. I just wanted to get this sorted early in case I ran into issues.
As for t he front brake disk there is plenty of room between the disk and the frame. The closest spacing is to the water bottle and it will shift if necessary. I will still use a well secured disk protector on both sides of the front hub.
With the front wheel tied to the crank, fork, and stem it is not going anywhere and makes a convenient handle for putting the bike into the box. The only remaining issue is that the shift levers are closer to the box wall than I would like. I think that I'll wrap some cardboard around the bar ends to add some space. I will also add some "bike box" white foam to various bits to prevent rubbing in transit. This stuff seems to work as well as pipe insulation but is less bulky to carry with you.
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Looks pretty good.
Turning the fork around to backwards shortens the package a bit, but that would also move the front wheel further aft. You might need to do that for box fit if you get a short box. I am not sure if your bars would pack as well if you move the front wheel further aft. I mention this because for one trip a bike shop called me up when they had a box the size I needed, I immediately went to the bike shop and brought it home. And when I went to pack my bike, I found that my bike being a touring bike is longer than road bikes, and the road bike box the bike shop gave me was too short. I ended up using my folding bike on that trip instead, could not find a long enough box on short notice for my touring bike.
It might be simplest to just remove the downtube bottle cage instead of worrying about damage.
Assuming you need to lower the seat to close the box, have you figured out how you will measure the height so you get the exact height right on the first try after unboxing?
Very good job on your first try.
I have never used a carbon fork, so I do not know if there is anything you need to know on that or not. If there is, I am sure someone here will comment.