Packing a bike for VIA rail travel
 

Hi there,

I'm taking my first "bicycling" vacation on Prince Edward Island and I'm checking my bike with me on the train from Montreal-Moncton. VIA Rail provides a box to put my bike in and I know I'm supposed to bring string to pull the box with. I know that I need to remove the pedals and to turn the handlebars. I've bought a pedal wrench for the purpose and understand that an Allen key will be required to turn the handlebars. I've read up that there's a left-hand screw for the left pedal and a right-hand screw for the right pedal (so clockwise tight for the right pedal, clockwise loose for the left pedal).

Will this be a pretty straightforward process of disassembly/put-in-box/take-out-of-box/reassembly that even someone mechanically inept (me!) can handle? Any potential pitfalls to be aware of or thoughts from those with previous experience?

Thanks,

Daniel

Via's boxes are big. Just remove the pedals, loosen the handlebars and turn them parallel to the frame. You might need two hex key sizes for the bars. One for the headset (screw on top) and another for the faceplate on the stem which hold the bars.

As for the pedals, remove them and grease the threads. They'll be easier to remove. Watch yourself when removing stuck pedals. I injured myself pretty badly on the chainring once.

Remember that right is right. Stand on the the right facing the drivetrain and the right pedal screws in and out normally.

<i>" I injured myself pretty badly on the chainring once.</i>"

Ouch!!! :((

Thanks Erick for the advice.

Good to know that box is big. I'll be sure to grease the threads (with something like WD 40 spray, I'm guessing?). The mnemonic I use is "lefty loosie righty tighty"... so that works for the right pedal and the left pedal I've already got in my head is the counterintuitive one.

Best wishes, Daniel

Use real grease. Any bike shop should have some, MEC does.

Definately practice the procedure before you go.

Thanks for the advice icithecat. I was planning on doing that anyway, but was glad I did!

While I was able to turn the handlebars using an appropriate Allen Key, I couldn't unscrew the pedals with my pedal wrench to save my life, so tightly were they screwed on. Anyway, I took it into the bike shop, asked them to unscrew the pedals & put grease... Now I can remove and put the pedals back on, no problem.

Thanks to all for their advice. I'll keep my fingers crossed that all goes well with the VIA Rail box on the day of travel.

D. Williams