How to pack a bicycle for a long distance journey

[Hellsbells]

Can anyone advise please?
I'm moving house & it'll be a long journey - by van and then boat. The bike will be in the removal van with all my other stuff.
I obviously don't want it damaged but I also don't want to spend loads of money. Would it be ok to just wrap it in loads of bubble wrap?

 

[Winot]

Can anyone advise please?
I'm moving house & it'll be a long journey - by van and then boat. The bike will be in the removal van with all my other stuff.
I obviously don't want it damaged but I also don't want to spend loads of money. Would it be ok to just wrap it in loads of bubble wrap?

Ask your local bike shop if they have a spare bike box. Take the front wheel and pedals off to get the bike in. Pack round the bike with bubble wrap if you like but should be OK without.

 

[colacubes]

Ask your local bike shop if they have a spare bike box. Take the front wheel and pedals off to get the bike in. Pack round the bike with bubble wrap if you like but should be OK without.

Yes do this. I didn't for a move a while back and my bike got quite badly bashed in the process and it was only a few miles up the road. I ended up having to give it a full service.

 

[mauvais]

You could buy a bag but you're probably looking at £100.

Does it have disc brakes? If so, and you take the wheels off, you need to put spacers (e.g. a bit of cardboard) where the rotors normally go. Otherwise if you squeeze the levers with the wheel off, the pads will be pushed together and you'll have a hard job separating them.

 

[Hellsbells]

You could buy a bag but you're probably looking at £100.

Does it have disc brakes? If so, and you take the wheels off, you need to put spacers (e.g. a bit of cardboard) where the rotors normally go. Otherwise if you squeeze the levers with the wheel off, the pads will be pushed together and you'll have a hard job separating them.

I definitely don't want to spend that kind of money! Or any atall tbh!! The cost of moving is becoming ridiculous enough as it is.
Not sure about disc brakes. I'll have a look. I tend to just ride my bike without really knowing much about it It's a Specialised hybrid elite from about 2012 I think.

 

[dylanredefined]

I definitely don't want to spend that kind of money! Or any atall tbh!! The cost of moving is becoming ridiculous enough as it is.
Not sure about disc brakes. I'll have a look. I tend to just ride my bike without really knowing much about it It's a Specialised hybrid elite from about 2012 I think.

May the emperor have mercy on your soul. Cyclists won't
Getting a cardboard box a bike came in as others have said. Otherwise, disassemble and wrap everything in bubble wrap and cardboard.

 

[weepiper]

+1 for asking a bike shop for a bike box. Most will be happy to give you one (less to recycle). Pedals off, front wheel out, seat down, bars turned, bosh.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

 

[Hellsbells]

We spoke with the removal company and he said there's no need to get a bike box and that he'll wrap the bikes securely with large removal blankets. I'm not 100% convinced but am starting to think about the hassle of using a box. That video above seems to involve various bits of equipment I don't have. And time I also don't have. The guy in the video makes it look so easy, but I'm pretty useless at this kind of thing and imagine it'll take me hours.

The bike won't be going on a plane. It'll be in a van on the roads and then on a boat.