Any tips on air travel with your CruzBike?

[jeffssmith1]

I'm in Colorado and I am thinking about buying a Q45 and I've read Maria and Jim's article on packing it in an Airporter Slim case. I've been riding a Bacchetta Corsa the past 20 years.

Has anyone else done this for air travel? Did you bring a rack and panniers in a separate suitcase? Was it difficult to re-assemble in a hotel room?

Many years ago I flew with a mountain bike packed in a big cardboard bike box to London for a solo ride across the UK. I'm thinking another such trip, perhaps in the Netherlands, might be fun.

 

[BendBent]

You should consider putting your Corsa frame and fork in a snowboard box. My preference is to put the wheels and rack in a separate duffel, and consider using smaller wheels if you have disc brakes. Your panniers and clothing can pad and protect the frame and wheels. Be sure to remove the rear derailleur, which can be left hanging by the cable.

I have flown with my QX100. Both QX100 and Q45 disassemble into multiple pieces that are easy to bundle together and fit in many different types of suitcases. Q45 has multiple clamps as part of the front mechanism, and these clamps are very fragile. Be sure to loosen or remove all of them when disassembling the bike.

I highly recommend you try riding a Cruzbike for many miles before you take it on a trip. Make sure to ride with panniers as well. It's a very different experience.

I have also flown with Volae Century take-apart, and Trident TWIG folding, both modified to use 20x20 wheels and pivot steering such as TCYCLE FLEXSTEM.

Here are other ideas, but they are not yet on the market. https://www.bentrideronline.com/mes.../3055559-please-help-improve-these-folding-re
cumbents