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Morning all,
I've packed up the bike into a bag to head over to the states. On the airline's website it recommends deflating the tyres before travel, the trouble is I've got UST rims and tyres and am reluctant to let them go below 20psi as they then begin to leak the Stans solution when they take a knock.
I've heard conflicting advice would like to hear from someone who has flown taking UST wheels, and what they did about it. I could deflate them fully if push came to shove as I'll have access to a compressor but I'd rather not.
Also, any other tips? So far I've lined a bag with cardboard, removed and zip-tied handlebars, rear mech, used pipe insulation to protect fork stanchions and rear shock, put the 15mm QR in to keep fork stiff, spaced rear dropouts, let air out of fork and rear shock.
Happy enough with general travel stuff (go to the Alps for a month every year) but any airline specific tips would be great.
Thanks,
Neil
Do they deflate the tyres on the aeroplane between take off and landing?
The hold of the aircraft isn't actually completely depressurised so there is no need to deflate anything, really - especially the suspension bits and pieces.
I've taken my bike(s) to the Alps 7 or 8 times now and only ever deflated the tyres once. I've never deflated the shock (and, if you think about it, the pressure is soooo massive in those anyway - the difference between ground level and flying is a tiny percentage)
I would swear there was a description of how to pack a bike on the flowmtb website but I can't find it at the moment to link. Sounds like you are doing it about right, though.
Need to pack mine on Sunday - ready for a week in Morzine starting on the 14th Woooooo!
Rachel
just back from US
took wheels in a 29er wheel box & only just fitted in with the tyres deflated a little bit (maybe 15-20). 1 wheel was tubeless - no jizz-related incidents
I's have thought, if anything, that the minor pressure drop in hold at altitude would "improve" seating on the bead. Only worry would be a direct impact from another case pushing the tyre off, which I reckon is unlikely and I'd be more worried about frame, rotors etc in that case
I take rotors off wheels and I don't bother to depressurise the shock
Yeah that's what I thought, I've done a bit of physics and even flying in my time but the 'naysayers' got me worried about my new bike. If it was an older one I probably wouldn't even think twice!
Enjoy Morzine, just got back from there earlier this week - now off to Washington State and Whistler...
Thanks,
Neil
The fuselage is pressurised to around 2000m in flight. Would you let air out of your tyres if you riding to over 200m in the Alps? Then you don't need to do it on the plane.
I slightly deflated my tubeless tyres when I flew recently, but only so I could get the wheels in the pockets in the bike bag. Didn't touch the shocks.
I usualy 'deflate' my ust tyres to about 20psi just to keep them seated and have never had them checked, so don't worry about it. If they ask you if you have 'deflated' your tyres say yes, you're not lying 'coz you have deflated them 😉