How To Fly With Your Mountain Bike! Step by Step Guide

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  • Опубликовано: 28 дек 2024

Комментарии • 129

  • @AppleJack76
    @AppleJack76 Год назад +24

    Cost cheat for SouthWest: My bike and gear was more than 50lbs. Penalties were steep. I got 2 bike boxes (one smaller for wheels). Kept both boxes under 50lbs, and it was cheaper than 1 box over 50lbs.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Thats really great to know! Thats probably the ticket if you needed to bring a really heavy bike or lots of spare tires, ect..!

  • @AprilRideMTB
    @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +13

    We hope this video can help some people on their mtb journeys! If anyone figures out how to do the ET method please let us know haha!

    • @tagzedawg
      @tagzedawg Год назад

      Do you carry any kind of insurance for your bikes?

    • @nickolson3899
      @nickolson3899 Год назад +1

      So did any of the rotors get bent during the trip? Or did the evoc bike bag protect them the way it was designed?

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      @@nickolson3899 it worked as designed on the way home using the 180mm rotors. I did have a 203mm rotor get bent pretty bad when flying to france a few years ago. Its a little bit of a risk but most likely fine.

  • @AppleJack76
    @AppleJack76 Год назад +5

    That E.T. clip warmed my heart, as an 80's kid.

  • @adrienremillard6206
    @adrienremillard6206 Год назад +2

    This video made me way less anxious about traveling with my bike, thanks!

  • @pabslabspabslabs4589
    @pabslabspabslabs4589 Год назад +35

    Luckily outside the U.S they don't open your bike bag or box before loading into the plane... Usually its just x-rayed at the oversized baggage area

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +5

      That’s cool! Yeah the TSA definitely doesn’t mess around haha

    • @mtbboy1993
      @mtbboy1993 Год назад

      Why don't they scan everything like it's done in Europe? @@AprilRideMTB

    • @MattJuden
      @MattJuden 5 месяцев назад

      It's kinda worse though; it might get randomly checked later, so you're not there to watch/help out. All the more reason to make things easy on anyone who might open it.

  • @w1ndsweptltd
    @w1ndsweptltd Год назад +10

    I use pipe insulation foam to protect frame and forks in transit. Also here in the UK we're lucky enough to have quite a few places offering hire of the Evoc bag (or similar) as well as hard cases at really reasonable prices. Handy hint, we found it cheaper to fly business class with Lufthansa (which had extra luggage allowance including sports equipment) than to fly economy and pay for extra baggage. Plus we got all the added benefits of business class.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +2

      Thats an awesome tip David! Thanks so much for sharing i will look into that in the future!

    • @joeyree22
      @joeyree22 5 месяцев назад

      Nice! You did very well, perhaps you just got really lucky? The price difference between Economy vs business has always been huge and nowhere near extra baggage fees.

  • @deisen123
    @deisen123 Год назад +5

    I can confirm the 50% rotor survival rate in evoc pro bag. OK on the way out both bent on way back. I pack a cordless drill now to install and remove them. Good idea to also bring loctite. The rotor screws on my friends bike came undone even with a lot of torque applied.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Yeah haha its one of those things i think you have to learn the hard way!

  • @AdventureAndy208
    @AdventureAndy208 Год назад +9

    50lbs is the key so hard shell cases are out. I researched the lowest price option and own the Chain Reaction Cycles Pro Bike bag that works perfect for a large frame and 29x2.6 tires fully inflated. Southwest is $75 one way so use the airlines Kyle described.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Thanks for sharing! Im hoping this video can be a good resource for people in the future!

  • @markhenderson1017
    @markhenderson1017 Год назад +1

    Perfect timing: I'm flying to Whistler this week. Thank you for all the steps and tips, which were all straightforward and clear.

  • @DirectorRobb
    @DirectorRobb Год назад +1

    Great tip about grabbing a box from the LBS! Thanks for the video.

  • @Josuesito_01
    @Josuesito_01 Год назад +2

    How practical it is! With you i will be a mtb profesional

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Haha thank you Josue!

    • @Josuesito_01
      @Josuesito_01 Год назад +1

      I' m from Peru but i speak english very well

  • @wchangose
    @wchangose Год назад +1

    Thanks!

  • @dougiefreshrides9523
    @dougiefreshrides9523 Год назад +1

    Love the ET intro. Great vid dude.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Haha thanks! I pretty much made the whole video just for that one little joke 😂

  • @pauls1128
    @pauls1128 Год назад +5

    Have had my rotors bent when using the EVOC Pro bag so I always remove them now.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Yeah i think those rotor protectors really only cover the 140 / 160mm ones well. It would be great if they really could stay on without worry!

    • @pauls1128
      @pauls1128 Год назад +1

      @@AprilRideMTB , totally agree. FWIW, my bent rotor was 203mm.

  • @gnmatsu
    @gnmatsu Год назад +1

    Lived in Hawaii for well over 30 years and flew with my bike many of those years. I too have used both cardboard boxes and various travel bags. Yes. You brought up good info on weight versus ease of packing. I started with a very old case that was over 30lbs (before the weight restrictions). I managed to do a bunch of surgery and get the case down to around 25 lbs. I have done some surgery on my EVoc case and have gotten it down to about 16lbs.
    Thanks for another great video.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Yeah its crazy how heavy the bike bags really are! Thanks Grant! We hope you have been good :)

  • @dadbod4life
    @dadbod4life Год назад +4

    Excellent video. Other creators have done some fly with bike videos but this one is really helpful showing the whole process. Well done.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Thank you! Yeah I’m hoping it can be a good resource for people in the future! I appreciate the kind words!

  • @midlifeshredder
    @midlifeshredder Год назад +2

    Great video guys! Having done both international and domestic with the bikes I can say, remove those rotors and pool noodle your fork, even in a padded bike bag! I had something sharp go through my bag and ding my stansion. Luckily I had travel insurance so $130 spent saved me $450 in repairs!

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Yeah i totally agree! Pool noodles are a really great trick!

  • @rcrocha72
    @rcrocha72 Год назад +2

    Alaska Air is the way to go. They waive oversize fee or overweight fee for bikes. This makes life easy because I can fit a lot of my gear in the bag. Just need to keep it less than 100lbs althoughI don't want that much weight in my bag anyways so I'm usually around 60lbs.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Yeah they are the best! Great customer service too!

  • @malcolmmulholland8671
    @malcolmmulholland8671 Год назад

    Kyle and April - once again you guys HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK with an AMAZING tutorial. My wife travels a lot with her Road Bike (yes she does mountain bike too, just to keep me happy). I have been packing her bike for travel for years...I realized after this great video I was a rookie! Congratulations on another great video. Malcolm.The. Aussie

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Glad this one helped you some Malcolm! 😊

  • @stuartsmith3118
    @stuartsmith3118 Год назад

    I travel many times a year with my MTB. Luckily I have status on any OneWorld airline ( American Airlines, British Airways, etc..) which allows me to bring bike for free. I use an Evoc Pro bag, game changer!
    Thx for the video.

  • @calebowens8955
    @calebowens8955 3 месяца назад

    Flying with my bike from tulsa to Munich for the first time. Thanks for the tips!

  • @mitkoshredder
    @mitkoshredder Год назад

    I am going to do my first flight with my bike with a bag next month and this video is ultra useful and I found it by accident while checking your how to manual video from 3 years ago. Thanks a lot for the info!

  • @crizo23
    @crizo23 Год назад +2

    Nice, the best bike travel video I’ve found yet. Taking off the chain is a good tip. I’ve traveled many times without removing it with good results, but of course the first time I travel with my new bike, the chain gets a bit loose and scratched the frame

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Thanks so much Chris! I really hope it can be helpful for people in the future!

  • @bbfeign1
    @bbfeign1 Год назад +1

    excellent , thank you Kyle

  • @carsteny2800
    @carsteny2800 Год назад

    Thanks for comparing these both options. Very helpful!

  • @loganskis
    @loganskis Год назад +2

    Its worth noting that Alaska Air does not charge oversize fees for bikes. I fly with mine fully loaded with all my bike gear. Ontop of that if you have the alaska credit card you get one free bag for upto 6 people on your reservation. Me and my homies all flying with bikes for free on alaska.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Thats so awesome! Yeah we try to fly Alaska as much as we can! They are a really great company!

  • @JaySkydiverDad
    @JaySkydiverDad Год назад +3

    Awesome video. I'm moving overseas with my e-bike, and unfortunately that CANNOT fly with me, so it's coming on a boat. However, the packing process is the same. Awesome little trick, taking out the air from the suspension!

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Thank you so much Javier! Yeah the Ebike complicates it. If you need to though you can fly with the bike without the battery and then ground ship just the battery! Thats what we have done for certain races!

  • @trishaleaver3581
    @trishaleaver3581 Год назад

    Love that movie! Kuahara was a cool brand.

  • @hadl3133
    @hadl3133 Год назад

    Having Sram AXS has been nice, since can easily take derailleur off and rest it flat instead of it staying bolted onto bike. I then just sandwich it between elbow pads for protection. Previously, have had derailleur arm arrive broken from them tossing bag around. Also realized aluminum pedals add up in weight (have oneup) and those I move to carryon in a ziplock bag. Another was putting apple AirTag in bike bag. On last trip to Bentonville, my bike didn't make the flight connection but could "see" where it was, which actually was not where airline staff was telling me. Got it back in hand much quicker as a result. I use the evoc bag as well.

  • @MarcJacobPacifico
    @MarcJacobPacifico Год назад +1

    Thank you for making this! I’ve been waiting for someone to make this kind of video. 🙏🏼🤙🏼

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Thats awesome! I'm really glad it was helpful!

  • @faithg9766
    @faithg9766 Год назад

    That's a pretty comprehensive video, thank you. If you could consider doing a flying bike video at a later date, I would be very grateful!

  • @vensnoop19
    @vensnoop19 4 месяца назад

    Excellent tips

  • @mgmatiasek
    @mgmatiasek Год назад +1

    We fly United alot and the max total dimension for a regular box is 62 inches. For boxes this would add 200 bucks per flight, 400 total for round trip. We invested in the orucase bags recently and have liked them to carry our full suspension bikes. The only downside side as kyle side is cost and weight of the bags.

    • @mtbboy1993
      @mtbboy1993 Год назад

      Thx for sharing, I've not heard of this brand, but this solution makes total sense. So you get them as carry on luggage? does it fit into a luggage compartment? I don't like leaving my bike out of my sight. And seeing the destroyed, smashed, crushed bikes people had by bad handling on the air port, it does not give me confidence.

  • @DuPlessisHome
    @DuPlessisHome Год назад

    Hey Kyle!! Thank you so much for this video. We are hopefully moving to the Netherlands soon and I am planning on taking my bike with. I was already planning on using an box from my local bike shop but was nervous about the whole process since it would be the first time I'd be traveling with it and going through the process. Your video was really informative and I'll be watching it again before I pack. Seeing this video today just gave me more hope about our plan to move, perfect timing, thank you!

  • @cannikinn
    @cannikinn Год назад

    Have you guys looked at something like Bike Flights, where they ship it via UPS or FedEx? It's usually around the same price as the oversize fees on the plane, and after all the horror stories of lost/damaged luggage on a plane makes me think it might actually be safer, and if not at least it's insured! But, you'll need to ship it a few days ahead of time to get it there when you land. For e-bikes you're supposed to remove the battery (which you can't fly with at all on a plane!).

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Yes, Kyle has used it a lot! Even just for shipping parts out. Thanks for mentioning it for others :)

  • @TimsGarage
    @TimsGarage Год назад

    brilliant video, thanks again guys. hope to be travelling one day via plane, all my travel has been by car so far which is great, but keen to try some different countries one day, this was the perfect video for this thanks.

  • @niklaswejedal463
    @niklaswejedal463 Год назад +2

    When I took my bike to California from Spain and back again, I usead the box-method - worked great, but when back in Spain again, I noticed one of the end caps on my handle bar was missing. Did they pry it off in customs looking for possible hidden illegal items??? - Anyway, by chance I found another cap, lying on a bike trail so I did not have to spend a cent to get a new one... 😅 - Great video!

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Thats awesome haha! They probably were checking! I have heard of certain plants being smuggled in mountain bikers tires before haha. Its crazy the lengths people are willing to go to!

  • @rupedog
    @rupedog Год назад +1

    Flying to US (pisgah) in 2 weeks... No idea the tsa strip search the bag!
    Rotors off sounds good I guess.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Yeah rotors off for sure and just try to make the strip search easy for them haha!

  • @OscarDelta013
    @OscarDelta013 Год назад

    I had a couple of flights with my bike in luggage and acording to my experience I would advise to attache your handlebar to the frame as a kinda torsion supporter or reinfocments, and do the same with a free front wheel.
    UPD
    And I was surprised little bit, why did they open your bike box and case??? In my cases airport service didn't do that ever...
    They just x-rayed it and that is it.
    UPD2
    WOW Did you use the same box again on the way at home???? After all flights my boxes were in AWFUL conditions and all of them were not be usable again for the flight back to home. I thought they were used as a ball for football =))) Respect for US airport service)

  • @Bike4adventure
    @Bike4adventure Год назад

    great tips and great video!

  • @JoeQiu-kz6wn
    @JoeQiu-kz6wn 10 месяцев назад

    super helpful !!!

  • @YanDoroshenko
    @YanDoroshenko Год назад

    Cool video, thanks, now I at least know what to expect. I'd be extremely wary of someone opening up a bike bag and potentially not putting everything back or scratching something in the process.

  • @rk7174
    @rk7174 11 месяцев назад

    thanks man that is a super helpful vid!

  • @adrianabedon7062
    @adrianabedon7062 Год назад +1

    Most TSA agents do not care at all about your bike when they search them. I didn't know that TSA always searches bike boxes but they tore through a bunch of my packing material and when I got the bike at my destination the box was fully open. My buddy had a bike bag that fared much better since it's easier for them to repack the bike bag.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Yeah so true! The only issue is if they don't zip your bike bag up all the way haha. one time i showed up to baggage claim in San Francisco and my bike was laying in the oversized area with the bag completely open and my shoes and helmet falling out haha. I agree though they usually do much better than with a box!

  • @frankkraus2439
    @frankkraus2439 Месяц назад

    Is it necessary to release the air out of the suspension? Is that more for space or will the pressure in flight mess with it?

  • @Aj-12518
    @Aj-12518 Год назад

    Hi! I'm from Philippines, I watch every video you upload and I learn more about bikes, I want to be a cyclist but I don't have a bike :(

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Hello to you, we hope someday you will have a bike!

  • @jeffsaraiva7099
    @jeffsaraiva7099 8 месяцев назад

    Nice, instructional video! Is it true that if the airline loses our bike box or bag, they don't have any liability? In other words, if it gets lost, one may simply not be able to replace the bike??

  • @xiaodongweng4507
    @xiaodongweng4507 2 месяца назад

    Outstanding ❤ video! Best mtb all around Mtb channel as always!🎉.
    I have one question, is it ok put a spare suspension fork and rear shock (both without air) in Checked in luggage ??😊 Thanks!

  • @roryoguma8738
    @roryoguma8738 Год назад

    If you have a spring fork is the bike box still an option? Will either option (bag or box) work in that situation?

  • @tomassanesson902
    @tomassanesson902 Год назад +1

    Awesome

  • @smoothisfast6644
    @smoothisfast6644 Год назад +1

    I like how the Suntour van guy treated the bag worse than the TSA agent.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Haha Jon is a joker for sure! Put the bag to the limit 😂

    • @smoothisfast6644
      @smoothisfast6644 Год назад

      @@AprilRideMTB You are doing great work, keep it up. Glad you are recovered.

  • @Velo1010
    @Velo1010 Месяц назад

    Don’t forget a torque wrench to get those bolts back to their proper torque settings.

  • @stevehunter7402
    @stevehunter7402 Год назад

    Some people rent out bike bags. Kijiji or something similar

  • @miadepaula
    @miadepaula Год назад

    Thanks for the vid. What airline did you fly with? I'm heading out with American to Bentonville and hoping my bike will stay under 50lbs!

  •  Год назад +1

    what about hydraulics and air suspensions? bikes travel in the unpressurized cargo compartment. is there any chance of damage if you don't deflate the wheels and suspensions?

    • @rupedog
      @rupedog Год назад +3

      It's not u pressurised... Its same as the cabin... So a tiny bit lower than ground level usually, there is zero need to deflate tyres etc, though many airlines say to

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      everything should be totally fine, everything i have read says the tires will increase a max of 10psi but i generally let the air out to make the bike as small as possible.

  • @alexisonbike3652
    @alexisonbike3652 Год назад +1

    I also know a couple of bike shops that rent bike bags

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Yeah thats a great tip too! I mentioned it briefly at the end but should have covered it earlier on!

  • @auburn2234
    @auburn2234 Год назад

    What’s the name of second channel. Wanted to know more about AirTag placement.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      @ridemtbexpress is our second channel, we do not have the Air Tag video yet, but hope you find some other good content :)

  • @CRGT666
    @CRGT666 3 месяца назад

    Whats the size of that box? Cause I tried to travel with the box that Jenson sent me, and they did not allow that box because of the size.

  • @rupedog
    @rupedog Год назад +1

    What did the tsa guy mean about wd40... What are things u can't put in bike bag?

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      I think what he was meaning was aerosol wd40 / triflow i have flown with small chainlube bottles before without issue, i think its more so in the case of a can exploding like a co2

    • @caroldavenport6795
      @caroldavenport6795 Год назад

      I have flown with CO2 canisters, at first they say "you can't pack these"... then I say... well it is how the airline inflate the life-preservers stored on the plane. They look at me and (for the last 3 times.).. they say. " Oh OK" and off I go!!! @@AprilRideMTB

  • @marlonvasquez4826
    @marlonvasquez4826 Год назад

    Hey if i buy 2 bikes from a bike shop and take it to my airline from ca to ny you think i can take both as baggage

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Yes, some racers travel with as many as three bikes! You just gotta pay the fees.

  • @danmorgan7775
    @danmorgan7775 Год назад

    As someone who works at a bike shop it shocked me to hear some shops actually charge 50-70 dollars for the empty bike box that was going to be recycled anyway. That's about what we charge to pack it in the box for people if they want. Yikes.

  • @deancade9682
    @deancade9682 Год назад

    We fly with 2 e-bikes, hire or purchase batteries, and leave the batteries with friends. In 2018, United ripped us off and charged $500us for 2 mini bikes (golf clubs were free🙄) from LA to NY & back to LA; we were flying first class with one bag each plus bikes and were allowed 4 bags each. Everywhere else in the world, it is the cost of an extra bag if you are over the bag allowance. I am okay with security opening and checking inside these bags, as there are idiots out there.
    We travel from New Zealand, and we are in California for all of next month.
    I will use PVC pipes and cardboard for the front brake discs (thanks). I'm on the limit at 26kg for each bike & bag without tools and 20" front wheels, which I carry in our other bags. We use EVOC bike bags but lower in height and a little longer, so the rear wheels stay on with carbon belts.
    Come on Twitter, and we can all share photos and videos.

  • @KennyYang-fg6kc
    @KennyYang-fg6kc Год назад

    While travel on the road. Where can you store your cardboard paper box.

  • @antoniofigueroamx
    @antoniofigueroamx Год назад

    What about eMTB with the battery?

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      You cannot fly with a battery 😢 hopefully something like renting out batteries from bike shops will be a common solution in the future!

  • @nathanabbe383
    @nathanabbe383 Год назад

    Somebody send this to C-Bass!

  • @anthonycraig274
    @anthonycraig274 Год назад

    Hey how are you. Hope you are OK.

  • @davidlimentani1830
    @davidlimentani1830 Год назад

    Has anyone here packed the evoc pro bike bag without the bike stand to save weight? My bike is 38lbs and having trouble getting it under 50

  • @jeffrogers2180
    @jeffrogers2180 Год назад +1

    You've done this before... 😉

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад +1

      Haha many times! Hopefully it can help someone else avoid some of the pitfalls i've experienced!

  • @AffectionateGouldianFinc-ed1fp
    @AffectionateGouldianFinc-ed1fp 10 месяцев назад

    🇲🇾to🇱🇰👍👍👍👍👍

  • @mrsmith4662
    @mrsmith4662 Год назад +1

    You forget just how awkward and bulky bikes are to pack away and travel with. It's hard enough taking off the front wheel and stuffing it in the back of the SUV.

  • @Liviu003
    @Liviu003 Год назад +1

    It’s easier to tie it to the plane ✈️, without packing it😅

  • @MC-jf6ic
    @MC-jf6ic 23 дня назад

    Goodluck doing this on international flights. You'll find that you MTB will turn into a powder once you reached your destination. You will need a hard case if going international.

  • @damarapoledna3636
    @damarapoledna3636 Год назад +1

    Every time I fly with my bike, the airlines lose it 😮

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      I have had that happen before and its almost always from a random bar code getting scanned that isn't part of the airline system, either that or a tight layover!

  • @kourtneyandpets2946
    @kourtneyandpets2946 Год назад

    Kyle how are you doing health wise? Does anybody know how he is doing?

  • @DirectorRobb
    @DirectorRobb Год назад +1

    Great tip about grabbing a box from the LBS! Thanks for the video.

    • @AprilRideMTB
      @AprilRideMTB  Год назад

      Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching Robb!