by Larry Lagarde

Each summer, I receive inquiries from travelers that want to pack a folding bike in a regular suitcase that meets airline specifications for checked baggage.

This afternoon, a lady cyclist was asking about the differences between the E-Z Pack and the Superlite 1 speed folding bikes. Her requirements were similar to a variety of leisure travelers that want folding bikes so they can see more scenery by cycling rather than walking. For this reason, I thought it may be helpful to some readers if I shared her request as well as my response. Here's what she wrote:

I used to have a Dahon Presto Lite folding bike, but it got stolen in France and now I am looking for an a new folding bicycle. I have a suit case which I used for the Presto Lite (it's just a regular suit case made of canvas but it happened to be ideal).

Is it easy to take the pedals off the E-Z Pack folding bike? If the E-Z Pack folds down to 26" x 15" x 20", perhaps by removing the pedals the E-Z Pack will be small enough to fit in my 20" x 29" x 10" canvas suit case. The Prestolite folded down to 20" x 30" x 11"; it was a tightfit but it worked.

I am also considering the Kent Superlite 1 Spd; however, in this case I will have to forget about the suit case. How does the E-Z Pack compare with Kent's Superlite folding bike? I see many good reviews on Amazon on this bike. I am 5'2'' tall (i.e. short), weighing 115 lb. I ride bikes with very low gears: I have an 8 speed bike but I always ride with 1st or 2nd gear. I am also wondering if the bag that comes with the Kent is a tight or loose fit. I used to have a Taiwanese Brompton, that came with a tight fitting, strong canvas bag. I just put some padding around the bike and could check-in to fly. I wonder if I could do that with the Kent bike and carry bag. (I'm going to Europe).

p.s. I realize now that the Kent 1spd can be 27" x 20" x 15" without the seat. Can it be also thinner if I remove the pedals, and is it easy?

And here's my response...

With the handlebars, pedals & seat removed, the E-Z Pack measures 26" long by 10" wide by 18" high so it should fit in your bag without a problem. I actually ship the bike this way and include the wrenches needed to bolt on the pedals and handlebars because it's very easy to do (the seat has a quick release so tools are not needed for that). You can use the packing materials in the box when you pack the bike in the suitcase. Just be sure to hand thread the pedals to make sure you have the right pedal on the right side, etc (threads for the left pedal run in the opposite direction).

Another option is to purchase folding pedals. The folded width with folding pedals would be a little wider than if you just removed the pedal all together but folding pedals come in handy even when you're walking beside your bike. I will have spare folding pedals in stock by Monday.

If you travel a lot and you expect to be placing a lot of weight on the rear carry rack, you'll find the E-Z Pack a better choice because the carry rack is stronger. The E-Z Pack's metal fenders take more abuse, there are brakes on the front & rear and the bike comes with the carry bag. Shipping is included in the $179 price too.

The Superlite is geared lower than the E-Z Pack but it's harder to get the Superlite to a smaller size than that listed. It's a matter of the way the bike folds. The width would be a little less though if you removed the pedal on the outside of the fold.

I've checked folding bikes on commercial airline flights using a soft carry bag so it can be done but you're always taking a bigger risk that way. One time, I was flying with a Montague Paratrooper full size folding mountain bike that did not have folding pedals. The bike arrived fine but the pedals tore through the side of the bag...

If you're willing to take the risk and check your bike in a carry bag, I'd go with the optional Kent generic looking carry bag. It's bigger than you need for the E-Z Pack but it will give more room to pack your personal belongings (thus providing more protection for your bike). The Kent bag is made from a stronger nylon-canvas material. The bag folds up to a small size and zips into it's own side pocket. It also has a hard bottom that will provide additional protection, a shoulder strap and carry handles.

Labels: travel-by-folding-bike