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airline travel
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
who deflates there shocks/tyres when putting bike in transit on a plane?
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A little bit on the tyres, never worried about the shocks / fork.
... but no mention / requirement for shocks. Can't get the 29er wheels into the EVOC bag slots without deflating anyway.
... you're not trying hard enough
29 with 2.2 NobbyNics can squeeze in inflated.
When you buy new forks and shocks, and they arrive sealed in a box, and they must have been on a plane, what pressure is in them?
OK, less of the smart ass...
... Last trip I took, let a little air out of the tyres and that was it.
I have not gone on any over east / over seas trips with any of my bikes yet, but do plan to in the future.
Putting a little air back in the tires / fork / shock is probably the easiest part of getting the bike back in one piece after a flight since you have to take the bike apart apart anyway.
just my 2c..
It's great that the seals are so good on shocks nowadays but going back 20 years ago you could blow them very easily flying. If you are at the upper limits of the shock capabilities then sticking them in an unpressurized container and then reducing the air pressure isn't a smart thing. Best case scenario is you will leak a bit of air at which point you will need a shock pump to restore the pressure. If you're packing a shock pump why not dump 3/4 of the air before you fly and your shock will be fine on the other end.
Your choice but on a holiday messing around with a leaky/blown shock isn't high on my desirable list.
The difference in air pressure between sea level and 30,000ft is about 11 PSI. A tyre (or shock) would have to be near its max capacity for that to cause a problem.
Which is all irrelevant as the cargo holds on planes are pressurized.
Maybe so....
cautious first time around. And the Emirates lady at check in asked whether I had let them down, but didn't want to inspect them. No such issue with Qantas on the way back.
Just let all the air out of your shocks, it makes the bike easier to pack if nothing else.
Never had any issues with a sealed, nitrogen charged CCDB.
Air comes out of the tires to make then easier to squeeze in.
...but just be aware that if have tubeless tyres, low pressures could roll off the rim, it could then be a PITA to re seat if a shop isn't close by. I'd suggest only dropping down to around high teens.