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Packing my Koga bike for the flight in 25 simple steps

January 4, 2017 Leave a Comment 3776 Views

Managed to pack my bike on my own—wahoo! Can’t wait to unpack this in Cairo and find out whether I did well enough to keep things safe, or screwed up big time. Fingers crossed for now!

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step1-take_off_front_wheel.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step1-take_off_front_wheel.jpg

Step 1: Take off the front wheel

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step2-remove_pedals.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step2-remove_pedals.jpg

Step 2: Remove the pedals

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step3-remove_seatpost.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step3-remove_seatpost.jpg

Step 3: Remove the seat post

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step3b-fasten_seatpost_srew.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step3b-fasten_seatpost_srew.jpg

Step 4: Fasten the seat post screw (so it doesn't get lost)

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step4-remove_handlebar.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step4-remove_handlebar.jpg

Step 5: Remove the handlebar

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step4b-fasten_handlebar_bolt.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step4b-fasten_handlebar_bolt.jpg

Step 6: Screw the handlebar bolt back on (so it doesn't get lost)

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step5-protect_frame.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step5-protect_frame.jpg

Step 7: Protect the frames

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step6-stabilize_fork.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step6-stabilize_fork.jpg

Step 8: Stabilize the fork

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step7-put_chain_on_smallest_crank.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step7-put_chain_on_smallest_crank.jpg

Step 9: Make sure the chain is on the smallest crank

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step8-fasten_handlebar.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step8-fasten_handlebar.jpg

Step 10: Fasten the handlebar, i.e. tie it firmly to the frame

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step9-take_off_bottle_cages.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step9-take_off_bottle_cages.jpg

Step 11: Remove the bottle cages (should have done that upfront)

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step10-secure_pedal_crank.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step10-secure_pedal_crank.jpg

Step 12: Secure the pedal crank by tying it to the frame

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step11-protect-rear-derailleur.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step11-protect-rear-derailleur.jpg

Step 13: Protect the rear derailleur

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step12-remove_quick_release_skewer.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step12-remove_quick_release_skewer.jpg

Step 14: Remove the quick release skewer from the front wheel

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step13-cover_wheel_hubs.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step13-cover_wheel_hubs.jpg

Step 15: Cover the wheel hubs

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step14-protect-other-sensitive-parts.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step14-protect-other-sensitive-parts.jpg

Step 16: Cover and protect any other sensitive parts

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step15-build_cardboard_box_fasten_tape.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step15-build_cardboard_box_fasten_tape.jpg

Step 17: Build the cardboard box and/or secure the bottom with tape

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step16-lower_bike_into_box.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step16-lower_bike_into_box.jpg

Step 18: Carefully lower the bike into the box

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step17-add_front_wheel_and_nonfolding_offroad_tires.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step17-add_front_wheel_and_nonfolding_offroad_tires.jpg

Step 19: Add the front wheel and any spare non-folding tires

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step18-reinforce_cardboard_wheel_hubs.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step18-reinforce_cardboard_wheel_hubs.jpg

Step 20: Reinforce the box near the wheel hubs with additional cardboard to prevent breakage

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step19-securely_package_loose_parts.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step19-securely_package_loose_parts.jpg

Step 21: Securely package all loose parts—pedals, front wheel skewer, bottle cages, etc.

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step20-add_seatpost_bike-packs_foam_paper.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step20-add_seatpost_bike-packs_foam_paper.jpg

Step 22: Add seat post, box with loose parts, bike packs etc.; paper and foam for protection

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step21-tape_box_reinforce_handholds.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step21-tape_box_reinforce_handholds.jpg

Step 23: Close the box, and use lots of tape to reinforce corners and hand holds

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step22-tape_name_contact_flight_details_outside.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/packing_koga_signature_bike_for_tourdafrique_step22-tape_name_contact_flight_details_outside.jpg

Step 24: Tape name, contact and flight details on both sides of the box

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MB-Sprinter-Gallery-Cargo-Van-06.jpg

https://www.alexcyclesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MB-Sprinter-Gallery-Cargo-Van-06.jpg

Step 25: Arrange special airport transport (as the box may not fit into a normal car)

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