Take your bike with you or hire it: Packing your bike correctly for the plane

There are occasions when your beloved racing bike or gravel bike has to go on a journey. For example, because a cycling marathon or competition is planned far from home, which you naturally want to take on with your own bike that you know down to every carbon fibre of the frame. In this case, external cycling is out of the question. Careful planning and packing is a must to ensure that the valuable cargo arrives at its destination safe and sound. Planning includes, for example, finding out from the flight provider how the racer is to be packed, what dimensions and weights must not be exceeded, what is allowed in the bike case or box and when the freight has to be at the airport.

Standing in the check-in queue unannounced on the day of departure with your luggage and bike case is not a good idea, because even the largest aircraft only has limited space in the hold - and this needs to be planned a few days in advance before take-off. If this is too much effort for you and if you feel uncomfortable at the thought of your valuable racing bike being roughly stacked under mountains of suitcases in the hold, a hire bike is preferable. Tour operators or training camp providers maintain well-stocked fleets with bikes in all sizes and at prices that are comparable to transporting them yourself.

Packing the road bike for transport

The most important information

To ensure that the racer travels safely in the bike case or box, sensitive or protruding parts must be dismantled or protected with suitable padding material.

• Saddle and support: Pull out the carbon seat posts and pack them separately. In most cases, these cannot be pushed in completely and there is a risk of scratches.
• Frame tubes: The best paint protection can be made from insulating material for heating pipes from the DIY store. Don't forget the chain stay, which could otherwise be scratched by the chain if the rear derailleur is removed.
• Rear derailleur: Whether mechanical or electrical, the rear derailleur should always be dismantled due to its exposed position and stored in a well-packed, contact-free place. Secure the chain with cable ties to prevent it from swinging around.
• Batteries: According to the German Federal Aviation Authority, lithium batteries are permitted on the Renner up to a capacity of 100 watt hours. However, the recommendation is to enquire about special regulations with the airline before departure or to take the batteries with you in your hand luggage.
• Handlebars and stem: Modern cockpits can only be removed with some effort. Removing the brake callipers gives you a little more room to lift the unit off the steerer tube. If this is unsuccessful, the only option is to transport it in a special cardboard box or bag.
• Impeller: Special wheel bags have proven their worth for transport in bike cases or bags. Secure the wheels in the box (cassette facing inwards) with a layer of cardboard on the left and right to protect them from knocks and scratches.
• Disc brake: Accessories retailers offer special protective bags in various sizes for disc brakes. In addition, a transport lock must be inserted between the brake pads for hydraulic disc brakes. This prevents the brake pads from being compressed and, in the worst case, the brake pistons from being pressed out.

Road bike transport in the pannier

Bike cases and panniers are available in different versions. Sometimes the handlebars, fork and wheels have to be removed, while on other models the cockpit can remain mounted. But be careful! Flared handlebars can be too wide for the bag, in which case the handlebars must be removed. There are also panniers that are specially designed for time trial bikes.

• Small and compact but more conversion work: B&W Bike Box II transport case
• Larger and with more storage space: EVOC Road Bike Bag Transport bag
• For time trial bikes: SCICON Aerocomfort 3.0 bike bag

Carrying the racing bike in the box

Special bike boxes are available to buy. You can also ask your local bike shop if they can pick up a box. There are two things to consider here: firstly, the size and secondly, sufficient additional packing material to protect the bike. Airlines specify different maximum dimensions for the size and weight of the luggage, Lufthansa's being around 32 kilograms and 280 centimetres in circumference (length + height + width); the box at the top (177 x 57 x 101 centimetres) should therefore remain on the ground. For mail order cartons, the belt size varies around 300 centimetres depending on the provider.

>> Travelling by car? 7 bike rear carriers in the test

Would you prefer a hire bike?

Finding the right position (again)

If holidays or training camps don't take place on your own racer, then at least the position has to be right. We show you which dimensions are important and which parts still belong in the case.

Even if you can't or aren't allowed to take your own bike on holiday or to a training camp, a few geometry data and tried-and-tested accessories will help you get used to riding a foreign bike quickly and should therefore be included in your luggage. Number one: the pedals plus cycling shoes. The pedals are easy to remove and fit and are the basis for creating the familiar contact surface for your feet. Number two: the saddle. Your favourite saddle will not be fitted to the rental bike, which is why it also belongs on the packing list. Unlike the pedals, whose threads fit every crank, you should ask the relevant service team for information about the seat post fitted to the rental bike you have booked to ensure that the saddle frame fits properly.

As far as the geometry data and the most accurate possible transfer of your own riding position are concerned, we recommend using the three measurements of top tube and head tube length, reach and stack as a basis. If these measurements match those of the potential hire bike, the seat height can also be adjusted. With providers such as the market leader Huerzeler, which has Cube racing bikes in its fleet, it helps to take a look at the manufacturer's geometry tables, which are sorted by model and can be viewed online, and compare them. Small items such as a saddle bag with a strap attachment that fits on any saddle and is equipped with tools, a repair kit and an emergency wallet can be very useful when travelling. A small light set, consisting of a battery-powered headlight plus rear light, is also always a good idea, as tunnels lurk everywhere - and even on Mallorca the sun sometimes goes down.

The rental bike offer

The likelihood that the rental bike will be exactly the same as your own bike is low, but it does offer the opportunity to try out a different make or a completely different type of bike.

The rental bikes from training camp provider Philipps Bike Team come from the Bulgarian bike brand Drag, which is fairly unknown in Germany and dealers of the Sofia-based manufacturer are more likely to be found in Austria. However, the exotic-looking brand offers solid, state-of-the-art racing bikes with disc brakes and electric gears. In total, there are seven different road bike models in the range for the 2024 season at a price of 120 to 230 euros per week. Philipps Bike Team offers its guests a personalised service for the price of 20 euros.

If you send your geometry data to the service team via the online form in good time before the start of the training camp, the Leihrenner will be perfectly adjusted and hung in the bike store ready for departure. A sketch on the provider's website explains which dimensions are required. Competitor Huerzeler has the entire model range of the German manufacturer Cube in its fleet. The top model is the Cube Litening Aero SLT, which costs 560 euros per week in the high season (without disclaimer). Incidentally, all Huerzeler racing bikes are equipped with a compact transmission suitable for the start of the season. The individual geometry data can only be transmitted during the booking process.