Moving can be pretty stressful, and a lot of people are not sure where to start. Should you start by looking for a good and reliable moving company or you should try to do it on your own? But, what makes moving complicated is having to relocate special, expensive items. For example, if you have to move a piano, pool table or cycling equipment. That is what makes a lot of people confused and uncertain about how to do it. In case you need to pack cycling equipment for long-distance transport – we’ve got great tips and tricks that will help you to do it with ease!
What is the best way to pack cycling equipment for long-distance transport?
So, as you can imagine, the best way to pack and relocate your cycling equipment is by car. Ideally – the bicycles can fit into your car. This is the ideal scenario where you have packed and shipped all of your belongings with a reliable company and you are transporting bikes and some smaller belongings. But unfortunately, many problems can occur during relocation that you simply can not predict. So, although the best way to pack cycling equipment for long-distance transport is by car, it is better to have a back-up plan.
The most important thing for transport is a bike rack
A lot of people disregard this and buy something cheap or they borrow it. But, a good and high-quality bike rack can actually help you a lot. There are some down-sides to this, but the best thing is that your bike is always ready for a ride. So if you decide to take a break and find some great biking routes – you can simply take your bikes off the bike rack and enjoy it!
A good bike rack can save you a lot of money
What to avoid when packing cycling equipment for long-distance transport?
There are some common mistakes and if you have decided to relocate the cycling equipment by yourself, you should know about them.
- One of the most common things people do when they are packing cycling equipment – they disregard the fact that the bikes should not be touching your car or another bike. And that is why you need a bike rack! Why is this so important? Well, the damage to your bikes can be pretty big. While you are driving down the interstate, there will be a lot of vibrations that will wear straight through the metal or the carbon. And that will cause a lot of damage in the long run. In case you can not avoid contact between bikes or cars – use plastic wrap, or some materials that will protect the bikes as much as possible.
- Many people choose to buy a roof rack. But if you are moving long-distance – that is not the best option. It will affect the car in a bad way, and your cycling equipment is prone to damage. Keep in mind that you can always search for a good moving company that can help you to transport your equipment, as well as your household. You can look for reviews on a lot of websites, like usamovingreviews.com. You can find a lot of useful information here and try to find the best price for your relocation!
Make sure to take good care of your bike
When you pack cycling equipment for long-distance transport – weather and security are your priorities
So, if you decided to pack cycling equipment and transport it by yourself, you need to pay special attention to the security of your bike. If you are making a stop, you need to make sure that your bike is secure. Especially if you plan to spend a night lodging somewhere. Most of the bike racks have their security measurements, but the best thing to do is to try and get the bike inside of your room.
You should follow the weather forecast to avoid snow or rain
The second most important thing that you need to pay attention to is the weather. You can not do much about it, but you can try to follow the weather forecasts and do your best to relocate when there is no rain or snow. Bad weather conditions can cause really big damage to your bike. Of course, if the rain or snow is unavoidable do your best to protect the cycling equipment. You can use plastic wrap, duct tape and make sure to secure it as much as possible.
Do you want to pack cycling equipment for long-distance transport disassembled?
A lot of people choose this option since it can be much more convenient. That way, you can pack and transport your bike with the rest of your belongings. Also, this can be your only option if you can not take the rood-trip. Here are the basic steps on how to safely disassemble your bike:
- First of all, you should take the pedals off. You can put a little bit of lube on the pedal threads day before you plan to take them off. This will make the process much easier.
- Remove handlebars. Depending on the type of bike, this is usually done by unscrewing the clamp that holds them in place. Pay special attention to cables and secure them.
- You should take the wheels off. That will help you a lot with packing. Also, a great idea is to release a little bit of air from the tires.
- Remove the seat. Make sure to wrap it and protect it from any damage.
After you arrive, wash and lube your bike
This is pretty simple and very important. Once you have arrived at your new home, this is the first thing to do after you settle in. You will remove dirt from your bike, and prevent any possible damage. Also, do not forget to lube your bike as you would regularly do. And you are good to go – your bike is ready and you can check local bike trails and are there any open positions to volunteer. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and try your bike after the relocation. You will find people that are similar to you and you will have fun, that is for sure!
