Two airlines that publish clear bike rules give a good picture of what to expect: a bike must fit in a purpose-made case, stay under a weight and size ceiling, and be packed securely. Pedals off, handlebars turned sideways and partly deflated tires are Air Canada requirements; Delta’s page lists none of them. Rules differ by carrier, so read your own airline’s bike page before you pack, and treat the checklist below as a starting point.
Size and weight limits: two examples
Airlines measure a bike case by linear dimensions: length plus width plus height, added together. Both airlines below use the same total, but they treat weight differently.
| Rule | Delta Air Lines | Air Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible bikes | Non-motorized touring or single-seat racing bikes, checked on most flights; certain Delta Connection carriers are an exception | Accepted on a space-available basis; contact the airline at booking to register the bike. Motorized bicycles are refused |
| Weight | Over 50 lb triggers the applicable excess weight fee; 100 lb or more is refused | Maximum 32 kg (70 lb) |
| Linear size | Over 115 in (292 cm) is refused | Maximum 292 cm (115 in) |
| Allowance | Standard allowance and fees for your cabin and travel region apply | Each bike counts as one checked bag toward your fare’s allowance, but a separate bike fee may still apply and registration is required |
| Oversize bikes | Not accepted | Contact Air Canada Cargo |
The pattern to take from this: weight is where the two differ. One carrier turns a heavy bike into a fee until it hits a hard cutoff, while the other sets a lower ceiling and points you to cargo beyond it. Weigh the bike in its case on a bathroom or luggage scale before you leave home.
Note also that a motorized bike is a different category entirely. Air Canada states that motorized bicycles are not accepted in carry-on or checked baggage, and Delta’s rule covers only non-motorized bikes. If you ride an e-bike, this page does not apply to you; our e-bike battery care guide covers the battery side.
Choose the container before anything else
Delta requires a durable protective container designed specifically for bicycles. Air Canada asks for a rigid or hard-shell container made for shipping, with a bicycle suitcase allowed for collapsible bikes.
The container choice also changes your legal exposure at Delta. If you pack in a hard shell case made for bicycles, no limited liability release is needed. A soft-sided travel bag, or anything other than a hard shell case, means you must sign that release, and Delta says you must also sign it if the bike is not properly packed. In plain terms, choosing a soft bag means signing that release.
Air Canada adds that sports cases cannot hold clothing or other personal items. As general advice, ask your airline before packing a helmet, shoes or tools in the case, so you are not forced to repack at the counter.
Packing checklist
- Confirm the rules in writing. Register the bike if your airline requires it, and check that your route has no smaller regional partner with different rules.
- Take the pedals off if your airline requires it. Air Canada does. See the pedal section below.
- Turn the handlebars sideways and fix them if required. Air Canada’s wording is “handlebars fixed sideways”. Secure them so they cannot swing against the frame.
- Let some air out of the tires if required. Air Canada requires partial deflation. Check the airline’s wording on how much pressure to leave.
- Protect the frame and rear derailleur. Wrap tubes where components could rub, and pad the derailleur so nothing presses on it.
- Weigh and measure the packed case. Add length, width and height and compare to your airline’s limit.
- Photograph the bike and case before check-in. Delta says it is not responsible for damage noted at check-in or damage from over-packing, so a record of the starting condition helps any claim.
An airline may decline a badly packed bike. Air Canada says plainly that improperly packaged bicycles may not be accepted, so arrive with time to fix a problem at the counter.
Pedals: the left one turns the wrong way
The right pedal has a normal thread, and the left pedal has a left, or reverse, thread. This is deliberate. Sheldon Brown explains that a phenomenon called precession, not bearing friction, is what would otherwise loosen pedals, and the opposite thread on the left side cancels it.
For installing, Sheldon Brown’s rule is to turn the pedal axle in the direction of pedaling. Practically, that means:
Stand beside the bike, look at each pedal from its own side, and picture the crank turning as it does when you pedal forward:
- Right pedal (chain side), viewed from the right: forward pedaling turns clockwise, so tighten clockwise and loosen counterclockwise.
- Left pedal, viewed from the left: forward pedaling turns counterclockwise, so tighten counterclockwise and loosen clockwise.
To stop the crank turning, engage the rear brake or leave the wheel on the ground, so the chain holds the cranks still. Removal is trickier than installation because on most bikes the cranks freewheel backward. Brace the crank firmly while you apply force, and use a pedal wrench or hex key that fits snugly.
Forcing a pedal the wrong way can strip the crank threads, which is a repair you do not want at your destination. If a pedal will not move, stop and take it to a bike shop rather than adding leverage. Also stop if a crank arm is cracked or loose; that bike should not be ridden until a mechanic inspects it.
Before your first ride at the destination
Reassembly is the reverse order: pedals on (check the left one is threaded in reverse), bars straightened and tightened, tires inflated to your usual pressure. Then run through the 5-minute pre-ride checklist, since baggage handling can knock brakes and wheels out of position. For pressure targets, see our tire pressure guide. If the trip is a multi-day tour, panniers versus bikepacking bags is worth reading before you decide what rides in the case and what goes in your own luggage.
If you find a bent derailleur, a dent in a frame tube or a wheel that rubs the brake after you reassemble, do not ride it. Have a shop inspect it first.
Sources
Last reviewed: October 2026.