Snuts

Is there a disadvantage to hydraulic brakes when preparing to fly with your tour bike? As in draining the fluids etc?

Thank-you in advance,

-Snuts-

alan s 

Where did you hear that?

Snuts

West-jet. Asks that all fluids be drained, and tires deflated.
It makes sense to me as the cargo hold is not pressurized.

-Snuts-

alan s 

You are aware that airplanes have extensive hydraulics.

Snuts

Yes, and I imagine they are designed to operate at different atmospheric pressures than surface bicycles.

-Snuts-

gsa103

1) Cargo hold is pressurized (typically equivalent to about ~8000ft).
2) Modern disc brake systems should be well-sealed, and not have enough air to matter.

Mountain bikers fly all the time, I've never heard anyone mentioning needing to do a full drain & fill. All disc brakes sets are sold fully filled and bled, and are routinely shipped via air freight.
Ignore the airline, deflate your tires to less than half the max pressure.

alan s 

You probably won't be operating your brakes at high altitude. Worry much?

Snuts

No, but I was seeking those that have flown a bike with hydraulic brakes. As at the end of my tour I may be flying with this bike.

Alan, have you flown a bike with hydraulic brakes? Where there problems encountered with your reservoirs?

-Snuts-

alan s 

I have flown with hydros many times. No issues whatsoever. Never heard of anyone having issues. If you find something, please post it up here.

Snuts

That is helpful, thank-you.
-Snuts-

bobwysiwyg

As far as I know cargo holds are pressurized. How do you suppose those pets of passengers survive as well shaving cream. They may have other rationale for the request, but a lack of pressure in the hold is not one of them.

Robert C

The whole point to hydraulic fluid is that it does not expand (or contract) as the pressure, or force, acting on it changes. Even if the cargo compartment were not pressurized, it would have no effect on properly filled hydraulic systems.

Snuts

I was thinking the request was due to being not pressurized. You may be right it may have origins from/for other reasons.
Thank-you, I will be ignoring that point. The only con for not using hydraulic discs on a touring bike in my opinion. I have developed quite an attachment towards hydraulic brakes on a loaded touring bike.

-Snuts-

Snuts

Looks like we can bury this one then,
Thank-you.

-Snuts-

tspoon

Even the idea of deflating tires is somewhat half baked. Atmospheric pressure is roughly 1 Bar. If the plane flew in a vacuum the effective pressure on tires would be 1 bar higher than at ground level, an increase which any tire should be able to handle.

FBinNY 

Yes, the entire airplane is pressurized to the same pressure. It has nothing to do with the cargo or baggage, and everything to do with the aircraft's structure.

The airplane is a cylindrical pressure vessel, basically a light weight air tank. If there were a difference in pressure above and below the cabin floor, it wold buckle. Plus it would require that the floor is hermetically sealed o keep cabin pressure from venting down into the hold. So, think, one big air tank, that happens to have a floor stretching across the middle.

BTW - the above was proven in a a very unfortunate event when a cargo door failed, causing the cabin pressure to buckle the floor, leading to a crash.

As to hydraulic lines. If their bled properly there's no air inside to expand and push fluid out. Plus the total volume of fluid is too small to be of concern anyway, so don't sweat this bit of nonsense, and don't go out of your way to tell anyone you have hydraulics on the bike.

gauvins

(Please note: I have no experience flying with hydraulic brakes).

The problem is that even if the request makes no practical sense, you may have to deal with personnel that will stick to the letter of the regulation. Deflating tires makes no sense whatsoever, but it is a losing argument.

I would think that draining brake fluid may have more to do with the fact that at least some brake fluids are combustible, which is a definite no-no on a plane.

chrisx

hydros have leaked on other bags. Get it, they do not want leaking fluids. The fat lady made them pay $250 to replace her sweater. She did that by screaming for 10 hours. the Chicago police could not lift the fat lady and remove her. Some airports want the brakes removed from the bike and put in a sealed container, plastic bag. I have seen a guy with a igh asked to wrap his wheel in plastic and a towel. It makes perfect sence to deflate your tires. Tires have poped at low preasure before. What a scare, loud boom, no one knows what it is. Plane had to land at wrong airport, people were 11 hours late, because some cranky old guy did not want to deflate his tires.

safety first
If you are unable to pump up a tire, why are you flying with a bike.
Learn to fix and remove, replace, your brakes before you go on tour.

jefnvk

It is worth noting the policy doesn't say exactly that

The way I am reading it, the requirement is to pack the bicycle in a box or bag, the justification for the rule is to prevent bike damage or potential leakage. In general, they look like they have fairly favorable bike policies.

Thanks for bringing this up though, I've gotta deal with this later this year, it never even crossed my mind!

alan s 

I remove the brakes and put them in a ziplock bag. This is for an S&S coupled bike in a suitcase, so you probably wouldn't go to that extreme with a boxed bike. A bad packing job and rough handling by airline personnel could lead to a compromised hydro system, but that has nothing to do with air pressure.

linus

No no no. We can't let you go that easy.

dabac

As long as there are fluids, leaks are possible. Forks and shocks can leak too. Probably more oil in a fork than a brake.
If your bike is shipped wheels off, forgetting to add the pad spacer is a far more common cause of problems.

FBinNY 

Stupid question for the OP.

Why are you asking NOW. From what I gather from another of your posts, you're already on the road, so it's kind of late to be wondering whether Hydros makes sense for this trip.

Since you're on the road, focus on enjoying the trip and leave the worrying about bleeding the brakes for when it becomes one.

saddlesores

can you provide the link to west-jet (or any airline) website
requiring draining hydraulic fluid?

Snuts

Hey, you be nice.


Has this been asked before?
(only stupid question)

Things I think about when riding. More so, I have been thinking about another thread where the poster is thinking of changing out his hydraulic brakes to mechanical. I love mine, and was wondering if this could be the only real draw back from my experience, and application.
I have no problems doing any mechanical work on my bike to keep it going, or prep for flight should I opt for that.


Well boy's and girls, -Snuts- is about to launch towards Sault St Marie.



-Snuts-