When I went to South Africa, I just took my trials apart and put it in separate bags (mainly because it wouldn’t all fit in one bag) and no one said anything about it
Agreed. Like I said, it took a lot of talking to people, eye contact and smiling. Also, it really does depend on the airline you’re flying. The two of us brought a freestyle uni, a trials uni, assorted wrenches, allen keys and a helmet as carry-on.
I challenge you to fine an airline where you can fit a 26" wheel within the carry-on size restrictions on their web sites. I don’t think that size wheel would even fit in most overhead bins.
As Fluxus tells us, it is possible, but I think you’d have to be pretty lucky. I don’t like to take chances at the airport.