Hello,

I'm looking at traveling with a 12in balance bike I'm bringing as a gift. Ideally, I'd like to take it as carry on. Fully assembled, the bike's dimensions are L: 34.5 x W: 4.5 x H: 19.75. Disassembled, in the box it came on, dimensions are L: 27.8 x W: 6.1 H: 12.6 in. The bike is pretty flat (no pedals and you can shift the handle's position).

I could either disassemble it and put the pieces in my bag (the longest piece, the frame, is a little over 20 in, so it may fit) or bring it in it's shipping box, which exceeds posted dimensions. Let's assume I disassemble it and can get it to the carry on dimensions, would I be allowed to take it in my carry on? I'm worried about it fitting in the overhead but also about TSA saying the frame may be a weapon or something like that-I mean, anything could be a weapon if you hard try enough.

My flight is AUS-DFW-MEX. I'm EXP and I'm hoping I'll be upgraded, but I may end up in Y, if that makes a difference.

Do you have experience or recommendations?