_ForceD_

I know all the other stuff to remove/adjust...but when packing a bike for travel on an airline...to turn the handlebars sideways...should I loosen the stem collar clamp bolts, or the steer tube star nut?

Dan

Crankycrank

Depends on the bike setup. If you can turn it fully sideways without the brakes or anything resting against the downtube just leave it as is. Make sure to use some thick padding on the top tube such as pipe insulation to prevent any dents if some ham fisted baggage person decides to play hockey with your bike and smash the bars against it.

alo

When I took a bike on a plane, I took the handlebars off (but did not disconnect the cables), and the front wheel, and pedals. I taped them to the frame, and wrapped it all in clear plastic. The clear plastic enabled them to see it was a bike, so hopefully they would be more careful. It was not damaged. They were most concerned that the air was out of the tires. I carried tools in my luggage, to reassemble it on arrival. I included a pump with the bike, so I could pump the tires up on arrival.

I know some people have special cases for bikes, but I just used clear plastic.

alo

I have met people who have taken bikes from Europe, where they are more expensive, to SE Asia, where they are less expensive. It depends on a person's situation and needs. But consider whether you can buy an equivalent bike at a lower price at your destination.

dsbrantjr

That air out of the tires thing is over-caution IMO. The effective pressure only goes up 12PSI between sea level and 40,000 feet.

cxwrench

You can't loosen a 'steerer tube star nut'. How can we answer your questions when you haven't said what kind of bike it is and what you're packing it in? If you want info you need to do your part and provide some.

_ForceD_

All set. Thanks.

Dan

10 Wheels

Worked for me: Large Touring Bike Small box

Jicafold

I would use a lot more packing material than this. It appears to be the bare minimum. It needs foam around all of the tubes and some carboard spacers between all of the items to keep them from damaging each other. Also consider reinforcing any "hot spots" so they don't end up poking through the box. That box is already bulging and there go your shifters.

10 Wheels

I was in a hotel. The material had to be scrounged from a dumpster..

gauvins

I remove the handlebars from the stem. Otherwise they'd protrude in front of the bike, and wouldn't fit in our padded bags.

_ForceD_

Good work! The hotel dumpster just happened to have a bicycle box in it?

Dan

10 Wheels

Box came from a tour leader that could only get small ones.
I had a flight leaving in the morning at 6 AM.

10 Wheels

Pic was taken after I arrived home .

alo

I am not disagreeing, but sometimes you just have to obey their rules.

alo

It is not necessary to take the tires off the rims, just let the air out.

alo

I actually took my bike to the airport, earlier than I would normally arrive. I disassembled the few parts, and wrapped it in plastic in the airport, providing entertainment for people waiting for planes. You need to make sure you have everything you need.

After arriving, I reassembled it in the airport, and rode home. The cost to take the bike on the plane was not much more than a taxi fare home.