by Quintana Roo Triathlon May 10, 2019

Article written by Allan Hovda, professional triathlete and three-time winner of Norseman Xtreme Triathlon — Allan is a Quintana Roo ambassador and is sponsored by QR's Norwegian retailer JBS Sport.

My bike is among the most valuable things I own, especially in my triathlon races. It must arrive at to races in full working order, especially when traveling by plane  I have witnessed a number of unlucky triathletes arriving at races with a missing or damaged bike. Below are my top tips for traveling with your bike.

1. Planning

There are huge differences in bike fees between airlines. Some allow you take your bike with you for free if it is 23 kg (50 lbs) or less, some charge between $50 – 200 each way depending on distance, and others charge overweight for the whole case. Check the regulations before you book the plane ticket.

2. More Planning

Not having your bike arrive with you can lead to a very bad start to race weekend. It is not uncommon that bikes get “lost” during transportation, but you can reduce the likelihood and consequences of it happening. Having few connections with a minimal amount of time in between flights can help in making sure your bike arrives on time. Traveling to a race a day or two before gives you more time to find your bike in case it ends up getting lost.

When I traveled to Ironman Texas, I «lost» my bike in between connecting flights both to and from Norway. First, it was a bit bad luck, as we ran into mechanical issues on the first flight that delayed arrival by more than one hour. However, a shorter time window who have made me more resistant to «bad luck». A missing bike before a race can cause a huge amount of stress.

3. The Bike Case

There are multiple bike cases which work well, and even cardboard boxes will do the job with a relatively low probability of faults. Personally, I swear by a very sturdy hard case box. Too many times, I have observed airlines mishandling bicycle suitcases and athletes arriving at races with vital parts of the bike broken.

Getting a hard case box which is relatively light, about 12 kg (25 lbs) or less, helps get the total weight of your bike below 23 kg (50 lbs), which for some airlines is the maximum weight. My BikeBoxAlan bicycle suitcase has been with me on numerous flights since 2012 and is still without any damage.

4. Packing

From a time perspective, it is best to disassemble as few parts as possible on the bike. When I travel, I loosen the aerobars and take off the seat post & my pedals. While not necessary, I take off my back gear as well to be sure I don’t damage my derailleur hanger. When the bike is dissembled and securely strapped in the suitcase, I use a couple of microfiber towels that I put around the parts of the frame, usually the aerobars or the front fork, which help reduce the risk of damage. 

I also try to keep my bicycle suitcase as light as possible, as it reduces the load it gets during transport. The only thing I pack in the suitcase with the bike is my aero helmet, empty bottle or similar high volume, low weight items. If I am traveling with only carry-on luggage, I also put my gels in the suitcase due to restrictions on liquids you can bring on board.

Allan HovdaNearly ready to go.

 

Allan HovdaFew things are worse than scratching your beloved bike, with no one to blame but yourself. I have a small micro towel, which I use to put between parts that might rub against each other. I also have a more sturdy transition bag, which I put my helmet and glasses inside.

 

Allan Hovda
Putting some insulation between parts that might rub is recommended.

 

Allan Hovda
My bike fits inside the suitcase without removing the rear derailleur, but it is a close call. Since the gear hanger can be specific to each bike model, I go for the safe option and remove it and wrap it in bubble wrap. It takes less than one minute and leaves me with one less thing to worry about.

 

Allan Hovda
One time I got to a race and found that I was missing a tiny part that is used to fasten my seat to the seat post. I totally panicked, as it was not a part that could be found anywhere near the race site. Luckily I found it soon after, caught up in the drivetrain after having been shaken loose during the flight. After that happened, I started putting all of my small, but vital, parts together in a small plastic bag.

 

5. Get Technical

Triathletes are known for having notoriously low technical knowledge in regards to their bikes. Unfortunately for most of us, we don’t have our own bike mechanic and must rebuild our bike ourselves after arrival. It is vital to know how your bike is built and how to do relatively simple adjustments, like gear and brake adjustments. Often there are bike mechanics available at races, but I would consider them an emergency solution.

I admit that the so-called superbikes in triathlon, with their hidden cables, hidden brakes and custom-made stem solutions, are extra challenging to reassemble and repair. Too many times I have been working fanatically on my bike just before a race because I ran into a technical issue that I did not know how to solve. This is one of the main reasons why I choose to ride a QR PRsix Disc reassembling the bike and making adjustments are made very simple, and can be done with a 3 and 4 mm Allen key (the SRAM Hydraulic brakes I have on my bike require a 25 Torx, as well).

Allan Hovda
My goal is to travel with everything I need but nothing more. A leatherman, a small torque kit, a folding ruler, a core valve remover, tire levers, a power lock and black & white electrical tape are always some of the items I bring. I also pack spare tubes, a valve extender, a CO2-inflator (without the CO2-canister when flying) and a few plastic strips.

 

Allan Hovda
This small tool-kit from Silca is great to have when traveling. Except for an 8mm Hex bit, which I need for my pedals, it has all of the necessary bits. Its got a versatile ratchet and measures torque.

 

6. Spare Parts

Obviously you cannot bring a ton of tools and spare parts when traveling by plane. Prioritize bringing things that will most likely need to be replaced, like spare tubes (or tire if running tubular), valve extenders and basic tools. If running a tubeless setup, I would bring spare sealant, rim tape and tubeless valves. Of course, the need for spare parts is dependent on the available bike shops in the area and the technical complexity of your bike.

7. Get Ready

Reassemble your bike and test it quickly after you arrive. If something goes wrong, you'll have as much time as you need to fix the problem to be sure your bike is race-ready.


shop prseries bikes

other QR stories

Quintana Roo Triathlon
Quintana Roo Triathlon



Also in Quintana Roo Blog

Bonjour Nice! A seaside Ironman chat with Alice Alberts
Bonjour Nice! A seaside Ironman chat with Alice Alberts

by Jay Prasuhn September 19, 2024

The world's best female triathletes take on the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France. We grabbed American pro Alice Alberts to chat about her 2024 season, the Ironman Pro series, her preparation this weekend's race and of course the amazing French food on her first trip to Europe.
Read More
QR's Guide to Transition Setup
QR's Guide to Transition Setup

by Jay Prasuhn August 13, 2024

How do we make transitions better, faster? It all comes down to preparation. So how do you set up at the rack for a quick move from swim to bike, and bike to run? What will help you find your spot at the race, and what do you actually need there—and not need there? We’re here to walk you through it.
Read More
Pre-Swim Warmup Tips from Haley Chura
Pre-Swim Warmup Tips from Haley Chura

by Jay Prasuhn July 18, 2024

Ask any triathlete, and they’ll agree: one of the most stress-inducing aspects of a race is the first five minutes. Because of a rolling start or cold conditions, sometimes the first time you get wet gives you just minutes before the mass start or wave start. You jump into the water, and it’s GO GO GO from the start; the heart rate spikes, and that can be daunting. It begs the question: how do you get warmed up for that zero-to-full-speed race start, so you’re ready for the spike in muscle bu...
Read More

get aero with qr

Size Chart

Quintana Roo Bike Size Calculator & Size Chart

View our size charts to see what size is best for you. After purchasing a new QR bicycle, our team will reach out to you to confirm your order and sizing information to be sure you have selected the optimum size.


V-PR + X-PR SIZE GUIDE

Find your frame sizes for the following bikes

V-PR | X-PR

SELECT YOUR HEIGHT

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48
    OR
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    48
    OR
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50
    OR
    52

  • FRAME SIZE
    52

  • FRAME SIZE
    52
    OR
    54

  • FRAME SIZE
    52
    OR
    54

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    56
    OR
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    56
    OR
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5



On the border of two sizes?
The right size may depend on certain body measurements and your riding style. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding sizing questions - our product specialists are experienced with finding riders the right fit by cross-referencing your information with our QR Rider Fit database.
Measure for Maximum Performance
If you're not transferring measurements from a similar triathlon specific bike, to get completely "dialed in" for maximum performance, we recommend you see a reputable professional bike fitter that can fit you to your new Quintana Roo.

V-PRi SIZE GUIDE

Find your frame sizes for the following bikes

V-PRi

SELECT YOUR HEIGHT

    • FRAME SIZE
      S

    • FRAME SIZE
      S

    • FRAME SIZE
      S

    • FRAME SIZE
      S
      OR
      M

    • FRAME SIZE
      S
      OR
      M

    • FRAME SIZE
      M

    • FRAME SIZE
      M
      OR
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      M
      OR
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      M
      OR
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      L

On the border of two sizes?
The right size may depend on certain body measurements and your riding style. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding sizing questions - our product specialists are experienced with finding riders the right fit by cross-referencing your information with our QR Rider Fit database.
Measure for Maximum Performance
If you're not transferring measurements from a similar triathlon specific bike, to get completely "dialed in" for maximum performance, we recommend you see a reputable professional bike fitter that can fit you to your new Quintana Roo.

PRSERIES SIZE GUIDE

Find your frame sizes for the following bikes

PRsix2 | PRsix | PRfive2 | PRfive | PRfour

SELECT YOUR HEIGHT

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48
    OR
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    48
    OR
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50
    OR
    52

  • FRAME SIZE
    52

  • FRAME SIZE
    52
    OR
    54

  • FRAME SIZE
    52
    OR
    54

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    56
    OR
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    56
    OR
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5



On the border of two sizes?
The right size may depend on certain body measurements and your riding style. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding sizing questions - our product specialists are experienced with finding riders the right fit by cross-referencing your information with our QR Rider Fit database.
Measure for Maximum Performance
If you're not transferring measurements from a similar triathlon specific bike, to get completely "dialed in" for maximum performance, we recommend you see a reputable professional bike fitter that can fit you to your new Quintana Roo.

SRSERIES SIZE GUIDE

Find your frame sizes for the following bikes

SRsix | SRfive

SELECT YOUR HEIGHT

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS
    OR
    S

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS
    OR
    S

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS
    OR
    S

  • FRAME SIZE
    S

  • FRAME SIZE
    M

  • FRAME SIZE
    M

  • FRAME SIZE
    M

  • FRAME SIZE
    M
    OR
    L

  • FRAME SIZE
    M
    OR
    L

  • FRAME SIZE
    L

  • FRAME SIZE
    L
    OR
    XL

  • FRAME SIZE
    XL

  • FRAME SIZE
    XL

  • FRAME SIZE
    XL

  • FRAME SIZE
    XL

On the border of two sizes?
The right size may depend on certain body measurements and your riding style. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding sizing questions - our product specialists are experienced with finding riders the right fit by cross-referencing your information with our QR Rider Fit database.
Measure for Maximum Performance
If you're not transferring measurements from a similar triathlon specific bike, to get completely "dialed in" for maximum performance, we recommend you see a reputable professional bike fitter that can fit you to your new Quintana Roo.