Traveling with disc brake bike.

[XXtwindad]

I know traveling is a bit of a nostalgic concept. But is there anything specific to watch out for when traveling with a hydraulic disc brake bike? Besides spacers for the brakes? Also, is there a travel bag specific for disc bikes? Thx.

[mistermo]

I've wondered about this too. I have a Ritchey Breakaway disc and chose to go with cable discs because I wasn't sure how the air pressure changes on a plane would affect hydraulics, if at all.

[Pinned]

Put the spacers in the calipers and pack it well as you would any bike. I've flown lots with hydro disc brake bikes, no problems.

[sparky33]

-remove the rotors during transit to avoid accidental bending in the travel bag, and don't forget to bring a lockring tool etc.
-leave the hydro hoses a little long to give yourself extra slack if you would have to partially dissemble the bike and carefully fit it into the travel bag.
-use spacer blocks in the calipers, as mentioned above.

If you take care when packing and dis/assembling the bike, then hydros are just fine for traveling.

[roguedog]

I've been wondering same.. Do you have to rebleed or do anything special on the other side?

[XXtwindad]

I'm a fan of discs. They just seem like a bit of a PITA to travel with.

[jtakeda]

Not sure how practical these are because I’ve never travelled with a disc bike, or any bike for that matter but the idea is neat.

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/components/bags/ostrich-disc-rotor-covers/

[prototoast]

I'm a fan of discs. They just seem like a bit of a PITA to travel with.

They are. I got a disc travel bike, then a rim travel bike. Rim bike (ritchey breakaway) packs up in about 30 minutes, disc brake bike (titanium coupled) takes about 2 hours.

[RKW]

Scicon TSA 3.0 bag. Zero issues. Packing in 10 minutes, unpacking in about the same. Bike is well protected.

[Kyle h]

I haven’t had much issue traveling with my disc bike for events. I use an OruCase airport ninja or sub62 and it holds them fine. You do have to remove fork, RD, seatpost, rotors, and bars but I’ve never had issues with getting them installed. Worst case scenario I pop into a local shop, say I’m from out of town and have had them take care of mine or issues on the spot. For example, I forgot a cassette took to tighten rotors last time but Spokesman in Santa Cruz let me use the tool when I arrived and told me to feel free to pop back in before I left and they would let me use it again.

[ColonelJLloyd]

-remove the rotors during transit to avoid accidental bending in the travel bag, and don't forget to bring a lockring tool etc.
-leave the hydro hoses a little long to give yourself extra slack if you would have to partially dissemble the bike and carefully fit it into the travel bag.
-use spacer blocks in the calipers, as mentioned above.

If you take care when packing and dis/assembling the bike, then hydros are just fine for traveling.

+1 Packing and unpacking any bike is not on my list of favorite things, but sometimes it's what needs to be done.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48016200776_a1092991b3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ga2zCC)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2ga2zCC) by ColonelJLloyd (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51002114@N03/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48016200781_4e1922e50f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ga2zCH)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2ga2zCH) by ColonelJLloyd (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51002114@N03/), on Flickr

[R3awak3n]

I have travelled with my disc bike with my post bag and was not a pain at all. I wish I had pictures of the bag packed but it was no more annoying than when I had my S&S rim brake bike. However that bike is all external routing which might help a lot since I can undo the front brake if I want, I have done that but last time I just left it all attached and was very simple.

[Tim Porter]

Lots of travel bags are set up for QR wheels. If your travel case has a fork attachment, make sure it's compatible with your fork's dropouts, i.e., if it's a 12mm or 15mm thru-axle, make sure the fork attachment point works with those. My soft shell Thule case has been super for air travel but I did have to order in the correct fittings for the fork on my Firefly.

[sparky33]

Do you have to rebleed or do anything special on the other side?

nope.

[XXtwindad]

Scicon TSA 3.0 bag. Zero issues. Packing in 10 minutes, unpacking in about the same. Bike is well protected.

Hey thanks for that recommendation. I'm sold. The video makes it look pretty damn simple. And I read this review from Cycling Weekly with a key paragraph:

"The format meant I didn’t have to undo a single bolt, twist the bars, or even adjust my saddle height (note – that last one might not apply to taller riders). This will be music to the ears of those with complicated integrated componentry, or riders who tend to bodge even the simplest of spannering."

I'm not sure what the last line means in the King's English, but I'm assuming it means someone technically incompetent, which definitely describes me.

[Jaybee]

They are. I got a disc travel bike, then a rim travel bike. Rim bike (ritchey breakaway) packs up in about 30 minutes, disc brake bike (titanium coupled) takes about 2 hours.

Is the disc bike hydro? If so, how are you managing the hose connections?

[mmendoza87]

I have travelled with my disc bike with my post bag and was not a pain at all. I wish I had pictures of the bag packed but it was no more annoying than when I had my S&S rim brake bike. However that bike is all external routing which might help a lot since I can undo the front brake if I want, I have done that but last time I just left it all attached and was very simple.

No problems in my Post bag either. https://postcarry.co/blogs/news/transfer-case-bike-fitting-gallery

Obviously you can't see the disc rotors but thru axle bikes actually pack smaller (in terms of stack height) than a QR bike/rim brake bike as thru axle hub ends don't protrude as far as QR axles.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0005/8972/5759/files/post-carry-co-transfer-case-marc-bmc.jpg?v=1593654592

[dem]

My hydro disc bike partially packed up for Airport Ninja (I also remove rotors from the wheels and pack separately.)

Definitely leave the hoses a bit long - that will help.


https://i.imgur.com/NI1somwl.jpg