Great video... I use this same bag and love it. One other tip I always do is cut a peace of PVC pipe to the exact width of your my rear hub. I then use this pipe in place and thru axle of the rear wheel to add support to the stays just incase something at the airport unexpectedly heavy get placed on the rear side of the bike bag.

The dots on the bar and stem is a great idea.

Nice. I’d add: - if you’re running Di2, disconnect the wires from your derailleur(s) and battery in the seatpost, if necessary. Be sure to tape the wires coming out of the seat tube to your frame so they don’t fall into the abyss. - I actually have an extra tool set (5Nm pre-set torque wrench, 8mm Allen, etc. that I keep packed in the bike bag so I never forget it. I travel a lot…) - throw an extra rag or two in the box because you can’t have enough rags. - I’m curious why you remove the chain? I remove my derailleur and wrap it and the chain with some rags and padding and secure it to the chain stay. - once you have your packing/unpacking dialed, make a step by step list of the order in which you do things (unless you can remember it). Consistent build and rebuild yields efficiency and lessens the chances of forgetting steps. - hardshell case for the win. But I do agree that a soft shell is slightly more convenient if space is limited at the destination

Nice one Ben. Great detail on how to utilise space when packing a bike 👍🇮🇪

Have the same Thule round trip case, love it!! Over a dozen round trips between Alaska and the Lower 48, never any damage. A great case but also I think Alaska Air, at least out of Anchorage, takes special care with bike bags. I have watched them carefully load from the terminal windows. Years ago I did go to the AK Air in Anchorage, and the Thule was the bag they recommended. Yep, enjoy the ride!!

Great video!! I am looking in getting the mtb version in order to fit any of my bikes.

nice tip on the bottles in cages. always did the same but left them on the frame - think I'll follow your lead on that one

Thanks for this

Great video, will be using these tips when I travel again. One thing that I learned with drop bars, to avoid faffing around and finding your position, I put painter's tape on the edge of the stem clamp on both sides then on the stem face plate itself and draw a big letter "H". Once you take it off and re-assemble it, you just have to line up the "H", then you'll be at in your perfect position or maybe a mm or 2 off.

taking off rotors is the pro tip I came here for!

I worked for an airline in my youth. I loaded lots of baggage. I can not imagine putting my bike in a case that isn't hardshelled and rigid.

I own the same case, I bought it on Craigslist, never used. It’s served me well.

Looking forward to your opinion of the Lauf Seigla. Road the wireless race model at the Unbound 100 and it was great. That is except for the scratches on the inside of the chain stays and front forks. :)

The slats on the sides of the case are for the tripod legs? Now you tell me! Ha!! Great video.

Good one Mr Delaney. I think TSA emptied your Skratch. “Suspicious powder” 😂

How about tubeless setup? Have you had any issues with sealant explosions? How much air do you leave in them?

Was debating weather to fly or take an Amtrak. Clearly, the train is the choice vs. preparing my bike for battle.

i wish you released this before i flew with the rotors on a couple weeks ago :D

What is the typical cost to ship? Is one airline cheaper or bike friendly? Great video. Thanks.

Pack a couple pair of latex gloves too.

Amazing Ben, I was just hoping you would do something like this as I prep for gravel world's. Have traveled with a MTB domestically but never with the gravel bike internationally. Curious, have seen some people turn the fork 180 degrees, presumably to make it easier to have a handle bar packed on the side. Have you travelled with a Checkpoint? Any nuances if you have?

What is brand name of the external/internal rotor tool you are using? Great video and tips. Thank you.

Your speech patterns remind me of Mitch Hedberg… makes the videos unintentionally funny :-)

Yikes! Seeing that hole in the Atheos frame was traumatizing!! Turning 60 next week and looking to pick up a bike case so I can begin traveling to events outside the northeast. Is there a hardshell version of the Thule Roundtrip case, or other bike cases you can recommend? Love the stand that the Thule has. Love your content Ben!! :)

If the main reason to avoid a hard case is the convenience of putting the empty soft-case bag under a hotel bed... You can't convince me that a near total disassembly, tediously wrap each part and then re-assemble our bikes is worth that. That looked awful. Love this video because you've now convinced me to go hard, bruh.

Will these fit integrated handlebars? I know you mentioned its difficult but I’m looking at this bag for my canyon endurace and not sure if the bars will cause me an issue! Thanks!

Yes, the Skratch zip closure is not that good. Mine open all the time.

Hi Ben, figure you're the best person to ask about flying with a gravel bike. Have you ever flown with a gravel bike in the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 (road)? As you might have known, the Aerocomfort is designed without the need to remove the handlebar. But that kinda presents a problem for me as the Zipp Service course SL-70 bar on my 2024 Stigmata measures 55-cm wide (from drop to drop) and it's 5cm wider than the width of the bag. That means the bar will be sticking out the side of the bag. Should I just remove the bar and hang it over the top tube? Thanks!

How did you weigh your bike with the case? When I travel, I can only fit my shoes/helmet with the bike, and it's already close to 50 lbs using a soft EVOC traveler case. Gotta remind the folks that CO2 cartridges are a no-no on airline luggage, hence the bike tire pump.

Do you believe this case would be able to handle a 60cm road bike??

Is that AXS? Probably harder to travel with mechanical.

A budget padding material can be pool noodles that you cut in half.

Have you ever been charged the oversized fee?

I am fairly new to gravel cycling. I bought my bike 2 years ago. The nearest bike shop is a 2 hr drive away. I have used UKposts to learn the most basic bike repair. However I am terrified to take my bike apart like thr derailer. My fear is I won't be able to put it all back together again. Would love to take a bike maintenance course. If anyone has one that they can recommend that is online, I'd appreciate it.

Why not use the bike box that the bike came in? Or go to your local bike shop to get a bike box.

Get a decent bike box and you don’t need to take the rotors off (speaking as someone who takes 100 flights/year with my bike)

TSA 😖🤬

Remove rotors? wah hah hah hah. That's funny. Just wrap a little cloth round them so they don't rub on anything. Bonus you have a rag on the other end to clean your hands (or bike) with.

fun fact - if paying to attend an event, put your helmet and shoes in your carry on. Find a way. With airline baggage losses these days - you can rent a bike…. scrambling for a helmet and especially shoes….. not fun.