Bicycles on Planes - Stupid Question of Week

[seethru]

Howdy,

I would like to take my bicycle along with me on a few flights to explore some new areas to ride. I would prefer to transport the bikes in the nose baggage compartment instead of in the cabin to avoid getting grease/grime on the interior.

My question revolves around the bike tires. The nose bag compartment is not pressurized, and I would have the tires fully inflated. Would travel at higher altitudes cause the air in the tire to expand and eventually burst? Obviously I would want to avoid this, and if it is a problem, we would simply carry the bikes in the cabin.

Probably the highest we would cruise at would be FL230, but we can also stay lower, like 16000 MSL.

Like I said, stupid question of the week. I would just prefer not having the nose baggage compartment explode .

Thanks,

Greg

 

[gsrcrsx68]

It shouldn't cause a problem with the tires. However, I would take a bicycle pump anyway. If they are road bike tires the pressure could be effected and may need adjustment at your destiations. Larger diameter tires are less effected. Since you'll have a pump with you, letting out some air(especially if they are road tires) will ensure that you have no problems.

Letting out some pressure to be sure to prevent busting will also save you the startling amount of sound that accompanies bursting...Bike tires sound like shotguns when they burst...I've heard it dozens of times(at least) and it still makes me jump. In a plane I'd probably need the rest room.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I would deflate the tires to around 20 PSI. I think the the pressure decreases a little less than 10 PSI from sea level to FL250 which would cause an increase in the tire about the same. Most Bike tires have a limit of about 65 PSI and normally filled to 40 PSI. Bring a pump and it will take you about 2 minutes to fill two bikes. Also the FBO should have an air tank and will work if your bike has a schraeder valve like a car or a plane.
Even if it does burst the tube is in a tire that would keep it from harming anything, although I wouldn't risk it

 

[propsarebest]

I'd like to see an airplane with a nose compartment that can fit a bicycle, if you show me one, i'll eat my hat.

Unless u have one of those sssssssssssssssssuper gay folding bikes that Sportys sells.

 

[Twotter76]

I'm pretty sure i could fit my mountain bike in the nose of my citation if i took both wheels off...

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

What is standard pressure? About 14.7PSI
So if you go from Sea level to outter space (relative vacuume)
you'll get a tire pressure increase of 14.7 PSI.

Can your tires handle it? Sure!
Don't worry about tire failure.

I still say bring a portable pump.

CE

 

[seethru]

Thanks for the quick replies. From what I'm reading here, I won't have mutch to worry about.

I'm pretty sure my bike will fit in our 414A's nose bag compartment. I may end up having to take one of the tires off, probably the front, but if I can avoid having to deal with the rear wheel I'll be a happy man.

If anybody's interested, we're flying up to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, WA for our ride. Looks to be a nice little 26 miler with an option for 13 miles. If you're interested, here's a link to the cue sheet/map and some other rides in the area:

http://www.seattlebiketours.org/members/maps/sanjuan_island.pdf

http://www.seattlebiketours.org/members/library.html

If there are other riders out there that know of some good routes in the Oregon/Washington area, I would love to hear about them.

Clear skies.

Greg

 

[CalifDan]

Davis, California is a great place to fly into and bicycle. The town is bicycle friendly with many dedicated paths. Getting from the airport into town is a nice short ride with only the first couple of blocks on a road. I think you can get to Sacramento also from there and access the river trail all the way to Folsom Lake.

We have a couple of those super gay fold up bikes that fit nicely into the baggage area of the Duchess. We are working on a way to get the road bikes in but that requires removing the back seats.

 

[Alamanach]

What is standard pressure? About 14.7PSI
So if you go from Sea level to outter space (relative vacuume)
you'll get a tire pressure increase of 14.7 PSI.

Can your tires handle it? Sure!
Don't worry about tire failure.

I still say bring a portable pump.

CE

Sounds like good reasoning, but then explain http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/8803/fcometcr.htm?200618#g-alyy .

 

[gsrcrsx68]

We have a couple of those super gay fold up bikes that fit nicely into the baggage area of the Duchess. We are working on a way to get the road bikes in but that requires removing the back seats.

A duchess, there's your problem. I once put 2 road bikes and other assorted goodies in to the back of a C-152 and flew to a bike race with a passenger onboard...from an airport with a DA of 7,500.