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ADVANTAGE BICYCLE PRO SHOP ~ CYCLING TIPS

Flying With Your Bike

Nothing is worse than reaching your destination and realizing that something on your bicycle has been damaged, especially if the glitch prevents you from riding. Fortunately, this is rarely the case if the bike is packed carefully. If you are not sure how to do this, we are happy to do it for you. We take the bike apart just enough so that it fits in the box and travels safely. This usually involves removing the pedals, front wheel, seat and post (as a unit) and handlebars. Do not worry though, as long as you have a few Allen wrenches to fit these components, re-assembly is a snap. It should take you no more than 30 minutes.

Optimum Protection And Easy Assembly
One of the reasons to have us box your bicycle is that we know how to protect the frame and components from damage. We pad the frame and install shipping materials that keep parts of the bike from banging against each other in transit. And, when we disassemble your machine, we do not change any brake or derailleur adjustments, which means you areset to ride, once you have installed the parts we removed. Check with us for current rates on boxing.

Bike-Travel Cases
If you travel frequently, consider purchasing a bike case. These crates are more expensive than bike boxes but they offer more protection than cardboard and can be used over and over. Additionally, they include wheels on the bottom for easier toting through airports. Plus, once you own one, you might recoup some of its cost by renting it to cycling friends who travel. And, think of how cool it will look all stickered up with decals from all the far-flung destinations you have ridden in.

Take Along Tools, Too
When preparing your travel kit, assemble all the tools needed to build your bike. Be sure to pack some spare parts in the event of a breakdown. There is nothing worse than taking your bike on a trip only to not be able to ride it because something broke. We recommend bringing spare tubes, a spare tire, patch kit, several spokes, a brake and shift cable, chain pins and a seat post binder bolt (holds the seat post tight in the frame).

A nice trick is to pack an inexpensive pair of gloves in your tool and parts kit. Put these on for assembly and then again for packing your bike, and you will save yourself a lot of hand scrubbing to remove grease and grime.

Do not Panic If Something Was Left Behind
If you are unlucky enough to get somewhere with your bike and then realize that you left something crucial back in the garage, such as your shoes or front wheel, do not give up. Remember that you can ship almost anything, almost anywhere in the world overnight. It will cost you a pretty penny but you will at least salvage the riding part of your trip. You ca not put too high a price on that.


Traveling With Bikes
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