Ok well I have searched for this and have kind of found some help but I needed some more.
Does anyone here think I could fit my trials unicycle in a backpack and take it as carry on? If I could I would take the frame off the the uni, take the seat post off, take pedals off wheelset, deflate tire so it is a smaller diameter for tire. And then it should be pretty small. And It would only take 3 tools to do that so I could take them with.
The reason I don’t want to take my uni and check it is because I don’t want the chance of getting it stolen. If that wasn’t possible I would most likely just check it and put padding around the uni and put it in a suitcase.
Thanks for any help in advance. If there is another thread that would help me directly then I am sorry for making a new thread.
You would need a biggish backpack, but yeah I think it’s possible…but I don’t know if security would be okay with it. They probably wouldn’t actually…but maybe you could call the airport and ask 'em ahead of time. If you just say the word unicycle before you get there, they’ll probably think you’re so stupid that you couldn’t possibly be a threat (:
There is a size limit for carry-on baggage. It varies per airline but is typically around 22" x 14" x 9". You cannot fit a trials wheel within those dimensions unless you fold the wheel in half. So for that reason alone the idea of taking a unicycle as carry-on is out.
A trials or 20" freestyle unicycle fits in large standard suitcases. I’ve taken my freestyle uni or trials uni with me on flights and just put it in a largish softside suitcase. It has worked out fine every time. But you do have to be sensible about how you pack it cause softside luggage can get crushed (put at the bottom of a luggage container). If you’re industrious you can figure out a way to stiffen or armor the inside of the suitcase with stiff plastic or something similar. But that has never been necessary for me.
Pack the uni in a suitcase and don’t worry about it. Head to baggage claim as fast as you can after the flight. The baggage won’t get there before you will.
Also pay attention to weight limits on luggage. No bag can be over 50 pounds or you’ll be charged extra. A unicycle plus gear and tools and a pump and stuff can get you close or over 50 pounds. Weigh your bag before you leave on the bathroom scale to see if you’re going to be close.
Sizewise, checked baggage must be 62 inches or less (length + width + height). Some large suitcases can be over that limit, especially if they have expandable sides. Measure your suitcase so you won’t be surprised if the ticket agent actually measures to see if you’re within the limit.
i’d be willing to bet that I could fit a trials uni into that size take the pedals off and the frame, lay it sideways, take the seat off the post, and layer it all together
A trials wheel is about 19" x 19" or so (~19" diameter). You can’t fit a 19" x 19" object in a 22" x 14" x 9" box. There may be enough volume, but you can’t fit 19" in a 14" dimension.
The only way you’d be able to take something the size of a trials unicycle as carry-on is to get special permission. That ain’t gonna happen since it will do fine in regular checked baggage if packed correctly.
If you’re paranoid you can have them mark it as “do not crush” or “fragile” as you check it in.
Another option would be to pack it in a duffel bag by itself. The odd shape will make it impossible for them to put it on the bottom of a pile so it will have to go on top. Less chance of it getting crushed. But it will still be vulnerable to things falling on it and possibly breaking spokes or doing other damage. Someone once posted a picture of a frame tube dented due to baggage handling. There have also been cases of broken spokes due to baggage handling. It does happen but is rare.
naw
16 is a 20" wheel
16+ 2 on each side =20" wheel
15+2.5 on each side= 20" wheel in theory… its just called 19" so there is less confusion
it will fit, i just did the math
unless the width of the rim really screws you up
it will definitely fit at an angle w/ no pedals on, then the frame long ways… it works
My unicycle got checked as ‘oversize baggage’ so I ran virtually no risk of it getting stolen since oversize baggage gets its own little area to pick it up. Besides, who steals a unicycle? Are they gonna make a fast getaway by riding away on it?
I will probably put the uni in a suitcase all taken apart. But I was wondering what the chances are that someone would steal any of it. Because my dad says that happens with the workers sometimes. I ended up being able to fit everything into my backpack yesterday when trying except for the wheel. Dang it.
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take the pedals off and the frame, lay it sideways, take the seat off the post, and layer it all together