Travelling with disc brake bike

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

Post Reply
Boshk
Posts: 462
Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:59 am

by Boshk

Anyone encountered any problem while travelling (airline) with their disc brake bike, especially those with hardcases where you need to remove and turn the handlebars and fork?

jfranci3
Posts: 1579
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:21 pm

by jfranci3

If centerlock, pull the discs off so they done get bent.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



hkgmatt
Posts: 48
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:17 am

by hkgmatt

I usually take the rotors off and put them into the case separately. I also put spacers into the calipers in case the levers get pulled accidentally. I have had no issues on multiple trips.

moyboy
Posts: 492
Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2016 12:19 am

by moyboy

Transported disc brake bike with bothe the scicon tsa evo and topeak pakgo x. No issues. I usually bring a rotor tuning fork just in case.

Disc brake spacer is a good practice. Extra padding and a layer of bubblewrap for good measure.

Boshk
Posts: 462
Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:59 am

by Boshk

Thanks, how about the hydraulic cables though, specifically when you remove the handlebar from the stem and rotate it..... Possible leaks?

morrisond
Posts: 1331
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:34 pm

by morrisond

You should have no worries - they are quite robust - unless your cables are too short and there isn't enough slack to turn your bars.

User avatar
ms6073
Posts: 4291
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2004 8:24 pm
Location: Houston, Texas

by ms6073

morrisond wrote:
Thu Jul 25, 2019 2:44 pm
unless your cables are too short and there isn't enough slack to turn your bars.
While not directly on topic, given the rise of the all-intern hydro disc brake bikes, wonder how one travels with those bikes as there is next to no extra hydro hose.
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"

User avatar
LeDuke
Posts: 2025
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:39 am
Location: Front Range, CO

by LeDuke

ms6073 wrote:
morrisond wrote:
Thu Jul 25, 2019 2:44 pm
unless your cables are too short and there isn't enough slack to turn your bars.
While not directly on topic, given the rise of the all-intern hydro disc brake bikes, wonder how one travels with those bikes as there is next to no extra hydro hose.
Then you don’t have a bike built to survive a crash, or the relatively mundane rigors of travel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

morrisond
Posts: 1331
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:34 pm

by morrisond

ms6073 wrote:
Thu Jul 25, 2019 3:08 pm
morrisond wrote:
Thu Jul 25, 2019 2:44 pm
unless your cables are too short and there isn't enough slack to turn your bars.
While not directly on topic, given the rise of the all-intern hydro disc brake bikes, wonder how one travels with those bikes as there is next to no extra hydro hose.
If it's all internal I would assume that the hydro hoses go through the steerer tube or right next to it - so it shouldn't be issue as the hose itself will rotate and it doesn't need to wrap itself around an Head Tube.
Last edited by morrisond on Thu Jul 25, 2019 6:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

edwardk
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:30 pm

by edwardk

I recently traveled trans-Atlantic with my bike with Campy H12 discs, using a super compact soft case (so that I had to remove the fork/handlebar assembly from the frame), and had no issues with brake fluid leaks or rotor issues. I probably will pull off the rotors next time out of an abundance of caution. Caliper blocks strike me as indispensable, given how everything gets compressed in a soft case.

I did carry a spare rotor with me, which proved to be prescient, as Campy gear is not easy to find in every small town, even in France. My front rotor needed replacement after a low speed crash of the most embarrassing sort — leaving the front wheel propped up on the side of the car, loading the bike, and driving off without the wheel.

Edward

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply