jwitten
Active Member
This post shows how to pack the QUEST in the newer Samsonite F'Lite GT Case. The case is available from Amazon for about $170 (US). The Cruzbike video on YouTube is for the older F'Lite case. The newer F'Lite GT case is of a slightly different design - it is not symmetrical, and is a bit fatter and wider on one end than the other. I found that I couldn't position the parts of the bike in the same manner as the video shows with the older case, but a slightly different packing method still allows the bike to fit. It is a nice, snug fit, almost as if the case were custom built for the bike! A helmet, small tool bag, and quick-release Topeak rack will fit in the case as well. It took a lot of trial-and-error to figure out the best fit, so I hope this helps some other QUEST owners who intend to travel with the bike.
The Cruzbike video on YouTube demonstrates how to dismantle the bike for packing, but here are a few additional pointers:
1. Ensure that the chain is on the smallest sprocket, and lift the chain off of the forward chainring. This will relieve any tension from the derailleur for easy removal. After removing the derailleur from the bike, I place it in a sock to keep it from scratching the bike's paint. This also keeps the chain from twisting around and makes re-assembly much easier. (a twisted chain and derailleur can be a Rubik's Cube to unravel.)
2. To release the DualDrive wheel attachment, ensure that the Shift Lever is positioned to the "hill climb" position. This releases tension on the cable. I also lift the cable housing off of the lower braze-on to completely release the tension. After doing so, push the button on the Clickbox assembly and pull it free from the control rod. If you like, you can unscrew and remove the control rod to protect it, but with this packing method it is not really necessary.
3. Completely remove the two quick releases for the seat-post and shock. They will prevent the bike from folding if they are in place.
4. Slightly loosen the allen screws on the top seat brackets. The brackets need to rotate and swivel freely so they can lay flat against the seat-back. Also, completely remove the thumb screws that attach the upper and lower seats. The thumbscrews for attaching the lower seat to the bike can remain on the seat. Sorry, no water bottle brackets on the back of the upper seat either.
5. Remove the quick-release skewer from the rear wheel. The case won't close with the skewer in place.
6. Loosen the allen screws on the brake levers and front stem so that they can rotate freely on the handlebars. This is required for the handlebars to lay flat in the case. The upper triangle tube must also be pulled completely out of the lower tube. If you don't do so, there is not enough slack in the brake and shifter cables to position the handlebars correctly. Any mirrors on the bar end must also be removed.
The following photos show how the major parts are positioned in the case. Normally, I wrap the seats in old
t-shirts, and place most of the tubes and other spare parts in tube-socks for protection. I have not done so in these photos so the parts are more easily identified. I also have a few pieces of carpet and cardboard for padding that aren't shown.
The photo above shows the folded bike positioned in the case. The forks are in the upper left, and the seat tube is in the upper right. It is a very snug fit, and the frame is not able to shift around at all. The upper seat is positioned under the frame. The frame fits better if the small derailleur mounting plate is removed from the fork. Be sure to put some padding between the front chainring and the frame! Also wrap the seat-back in an old t-shirt for protection.
The photo above shows the handlebars and upper triangle tube positioned in the case. It is a bit tough to see, but the right brake lever is positioned under the steering tube and the right hand grip is positioned above it. The upper triangle tube is positioned parallel to the forks of the bike. This will take a bit of manipulation of the cables, but its not too tough to do. I normally slide a tube-sock over the tube to keep it from scratching the forks.
The photo above shows the placement of the seat bottom and helmet. I also place the pedals and a bag of other small parts (quick-releases, rear wheel skewer, seat thumb screws, etc) in the helmet. Wrap the seat bottom in an old t-shirt. Any other small pieces (seat tube, spare tire tube, folding tire, etc) can be placed in the existing hollows.
The photo above shows the front wheel positioned over the frame, brake disk up. The DualDrive pushrod will be down and protected from damage. No padding is required as the inflated tires provide the padding. I have placed the lower seat pad in the upper right corner, and my small behind-the-seat tool bag in the lower right corner. (I tried placing the disk down, as recommended in the Cruzbike video, but it just doesn't seem to fit as well)
The photo above shows how I position the Topeak quick-release rack and seat back pad.
The photo above shows the rear wheel in position over the front wheel. I have placed a piece of carpet over the Topeak rack, and also made a small roll of carpet to act as a spacer to keep the rear wheel from resting directly on the front wheel disk. The rear wheel disk is down. Both disks are well protected, but I intend to make some disk protectors out of wide diameter tubing for even greater protection.
Close the case, and off you go! The bike is quite snug in the case, but the lid closes easily.
The Samsonite case is offered in a 2 wheel model, as well as a 4 spinner-wheel model. This is the two wheeled model. I would not recomend the 4 spinner model as the wheels are much smaller, and will likely suffer damage if you travel much. My impression of the 2-wheel model is that it is very well built. The handles, wheels, and locks appear strong and durable. The lock is also TSA approved. The case provides great protection for the bike, and is easy to roll around. It is also under 2 feet wide, and fits through the standard 24" airport x-ray machines.
Well, I hope this helps some others who are considering traveling with their QUEST.
Take Care,
Jeff
The Cruzbike video on YouTube demonstrates how to dismantle the bike for packing, but here are a few additional pointers:
1. Ensure that the chain is on the smallest sprocket, and lift the chain off of the forward chainring. This will relieve any tension from the derailleur for easy removal. After removing the derailleur from the bike, I place it in a sock to keep it from scratching the bike's paint. This also keeps the chain from twisting around and makes re-assembly much easier. (a twisted chain and derailleur can be a Rubik's Cube to unravel.)
2. To release the DualDrive wheel attachment, ensure that the Shift Lever is positioned to the "hill climb" position. This releases tension on the cable. I also lift the cable housing off of the lower braze-on to completely release the tension. After doing so, push the button on the Clickbox assembly and pull it free from the control rod. If you like, you can unscrew and remove the control rod to protect it, but with this packing method it is not really necessary.
3. Completely remove the two quick releases for the seat-post and shock. They will prevent the bike from folding if they are in place.
4. Slightly loosen the allen screws on the top seat brackets. The brackets need to rotate and swivel freely so they can lay flat against the seat-back. Also, completely remove the thumb screws that attach the upper and lower seats. The thumbscrews for attaching the lower seat to the bike can remain on the seat. Sorry, no water bottle brackets on the back of the upper seat either.
5. Remove the quick-release skewer from the rear wheel. The case won't close with the skewer in place.
6. Loosen the allen screws on the brake levers and front stem so that they can rotate freely on the handlebars. This is required for the handlebars to lay flat in the case. The upper triangle tube must also be pulled completely out of the lower tube. If you don't do so, there is not enough slack in the brake and shifter cables to position the handlebars correctly. Any mirrors on the bar end must also be removed.
The following photos show how the major parts are positioned in the case. Normally, I wrap the seats in old
t-shirts, and place most of the tubes and other spare parts in tube-socks for protection. I have not done so in these photos so the parts are more easily identified. I also have a few pieces of carpet and cardboard for padding that aren't shown.
The photo above shows the folded bike positioned in the case. The forks are in the upper left, and the seat tube is in the upper right. It is a very snug fit, and the frame is not able to shift around at all. The upper seat is positioned under the frame. The frame fits better if the small derailleur mounting plate is removed from the fork. Be sure to put some padding between the front chainring and the frame! Also wrap the seat-back in an old t-shirt for protection.
The photo above shows the handlebars and upper triangle tube positioned in the case. It is a bit tough to see, but the right brake lever is positioned under the steering tube and the right hand grip is positioned above it. The upper triangle tube is positioned parallel to the forks of the bike. This will take a bit of manipulation of the cables, but its not too tough to do. I normally slide a tube-sock over the tube to keep it from scratching the forks.
The photo above shows the placement of the seat bottom and helmet. I also place the pedals and a bag of other small parts (quick-releases, rear wheel skewer, seat thumb screws, etc) in the helmet. Wrap the seat bottom in an old t-shirt. Any other small pieces (seat tube, spare tire tube, folding tire, etc) can be placed in the existing hollows.
The photo above shows the front wheel positioned over the frame, brake disk up. The DualDrive pushrod will be down and protected from damage. No padding is required as the inflated tires provide the padding. I have placed the lower seat pad in the upper right corner, and my small behind-the-seat tool bag in the lower right corner. (I tried placing the disk down, as recommended in the Cruzbike video, but it just doesn't seem to fit as well)
The photo above shows how I position the Topeak quick-release rack and seat back pad.
The photo above shows the rear wheel in position over the front wheel. I have placed a piece of carpet over the Topeak rack, and also made a small roll of carpet to act as a spacer to keep the rear wheel from resting directly on the front wheel disk. The rear wheel disk is down. Both disks are well protected, but I intend to make some disk protectors out of wide diameter tubing for even greater protection.
Close the case, and off you go! The bike is quite snug in the case, but the lid closes easily.
The Samsonite case is offered in a 2 wheel model, as well as a 4 spinner-wheel model. This is the two wheeled model. I would not recomend the 4 spinner model as the wheels are much smaller, and will likely suffer damage if you travel much. My impression of the 2-wheel model is that it is very well built. The handles, wheels, and locks appear strong and durable. The lock is also TSA approved. The case provides great protection for the bike, and is easy to roll around. It is also under 2 feet wide, and fits through the standard 24" airport x-ray machines.
Well, I hope this helps some others who are considering traveling with their QUEST.
Take Care,
Jeff
