Air travel and tyre pressures

[millen]

Quick question. Do people still bother to partially deflate tyres for air travel? I have in the past but don't recall ever being asked at baggage check-in. As I understand it, most cargo holds are pressurised to c 2500m effective altitude, which isn't that high really. It's just a bit of a faff if there isn't a decent track pump at the destination.

[Brads67]

Never bother.
Don't deflate my suspension either.

[Sparkov]

No need to deflate tyres - cargo holds are pressurised to the same level same as the cabin, and there will only be an equivalent pressure increase of a few psi.

The highest possible increase would be 1 atmosphere (~15 psi) in a full vacuum, so probably fine even in that extreme scenario, but if you experience that on an aircraft the state of your bike tyres would be the least of your worries.

[millen]

Thanks guys! I won't deflate.
A spot of Googling also shows that pets generally don't die in the hold.

[mikecassie]

I wouldn't and having had a conversation with an Airline pilot on a cycling holiday, even he said it was stupid. But I have to to get my wheels to fit my BBA wheel recesses.