I'm incredibly partial to the Ruster Sports Armored Hen House.

http://rustersports.com/product/armored-hen-house/


I've taken my 'cross bike to a couple of races around the U.S traveling with Southwest Airlines and never had an issue with baggage fee's, oversize baggage fee's or damage to the bike by the "gentle" handling of the luggage handlers.


The armored hen house has quite a bit of padding in respect to the case itself, and then the extra padding that goes around the vital components of "said bike" allows you to neatly package everything up. I've had it inspected twice by TSA agents and they were easily able to re-package the bike up without having issues jamming things back in.


There's also a bunch of extra room in it to allow for stuff like my helmet, cycling garb, toiletries and other stuff so that I don't need to check an extra bag. When I raced Clermont back in 2013 I was able to put a helmet, wet suit, running gear and all cycling equipment in the bike and wheel bag.

+1

Got one last year. Love it, zero issues travelling with it. Take a look over on the Classifieds, you can usually find a good deal on one.

Spent too much time thinking and trolling the internet about this one. I the end got Pika packworks soft case. Made in the USA. Didn't cost too much to ship in to me. Has not let me down yet and price was reasonable.

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They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

I pulled the trigger on Scicon's Aerocomfort 3.0 today. The minimal amount of disassembly was a big plus for me. Yes, I'm willing to pay baggage fees for that convenience.

Protection of the bike is also an obvious priority. User reviews indicate the case is effective, and the pro cycling teams using the bag for transport adds some credibility to that opinion.

https://www.bikerumor.com/...ida-pro-sponsorship/
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/?post=5208101

I plan to add some Albo pads for additional protection:

http://www.albopads.com/...shipping-in-the-u-s/

Scott

I have the following Thule Round Trip case. It has been a great case. Simple and easy to use with the protection of a hard shell. Definitely recommend the hard shell unless you are flying an airline that has exorbitant fees. In which case the Hen House can be a good option.

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Any of you guys with the armored hen house have a tri bike with an integrated front end? Dreading the disasembly a bit...

I use mine with a P5 and formally a Trek SC. I find the case especially ideal when traveling overseas (small cars and tight trains).

If you're uncomfortable with your mechanic skills than I wouldn't recommend.

Well, pretty happy to invest the time in learning what's needed. Good to know someone else is using it with these bikes. I plan to use it with a Canyon, but i assume it's more or less equally difficult to take these integrated front ends apart. I am mostly "worried" about the actual for removal, though.

I have never used a hard shell but I can say a Thule Round trip Traveler did me well this summer! 6 International Flights and 2 domestic and not a bike fee or a scratch. I did use pipe insulation and some Velcro straps from work around frame tubes.

The wife and I each have one of these Tri All 3 Sports hard cases. I cannot imagine traveling w/ our bikes, and not using a hard case.

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no sponsors | no races | nothing to see here

I now use the Scicon Aerotech Evolution case.


https://www.probikekit.com/...l-case/10773683.html

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

I've used a Trico Ironcase, Thule Round Trip Pro and Travel for Mountain, Road and CX bikes.

The only damage I've had was in the ironcase from TSA not closing the case properly after inspection.
Hardshell cases are also very difficult to manage once you're at your destination and in your rental car.

The Round Trip Pro has been best. It's almost hardshell protection, but the plastic sides come out, fold down and it all collapses.
The method of disassembling your bike on the repair stand, then moving the whole repair stand / bike and clicking it into place in the case works very well.

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I talk a lot - Give it a listen: http://www.fasttalklabs.com/category/fast-talk
I also give Training Advice via http://www.ForeverEndurance.com

The above poster has eschewed traditional employment and is currently undertaking the ill-conceived task of launching his own hardgoods company. Statements are not made on behalf of nor reflective of anything in any manner... unless they're good, then they count.
http://www.AGNCYINNOVATION.com

I've had mine since 2008 and fly with it 2 to 4 times a year - domestic and international. I'm in the M60-64 this year and am getting a little old to lug it around since there are no wheels. But every time I think of buying a new one, I save a bunch of $$ and keep on using it.

+1 on this case. Used to use the Scicon soft case until my frame got cracked and the airline said tough luck. This hard case has been solid and only requires removing the aerobars, which isn't too difficult on the speed concept.

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Instagram | Team Kiwami North America

Let me synthesize multiple threads on this question: It's not hardside vs softside that matters. It is how well you pack your bike inside, and how easy it is for Homeland Security to open it up and get everything back in correctly. Poor packing (and HS repacking) is most typically what causes damage to a bike.

I've got a Felt IA with lots of integration so I opted to go with Scicon Aerocomfort Triathlon softshell. I also put some pipe insulation on the key areas and I'm more than happy. I don't have to disassemble anything at all. Take my wheels off, tuck them in the sides, put s couple of key foam insulation pieces on, zip up and go. There is no avoiding fees with this but that was not my primary concern.


With 7 flights under it's belt in the past 2.5 years I'm more than happy with my purchase.


https://sciconbags.com/products/bike-travel-bags-bike-cases/triathlon/aerocomfort-triathlon-bike-travel-bag

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"Train so you have no regrets @ the finish line"

If you think leaving the bars on is a good idea in the bag, it isn't. Too many friends I've seen with broken bikes and bars with the Scion

I have both the Biknd Helium and Ruster Hen House Armored. If I am flying airline charges me reasonable bike fees ($<75), I take the Biknd every time. If I am flying airlines that are like bandits (e.g. United or Delta), then I will take the Ruster Hen House in the hope they only charge me as regular luggage, but that's chance are getting less and less.

+1 on Pika, love it.

If you haven't done already, I highly suggest gluing a thick washer over the holes where the wheel skewers attach through the case. Will just be a matter of time before they will get punched through and possible cause damage to your wheel. Also get some spare wheels ahead of time because they will break as well. Mine only lasted about 9-10 trips before damage started. Otherwise, nicely designed case. Scicon will be of no help regarding warranty when damage starts.....will claim you must be subjecting it to abuse.

I am not saying Scicon is a bad bag - I have Aerocomfort 2.0 Triathlon and travelled with my bike with it extensively. End of last year I had a flight via Moscow and when my bike has arrived in Phuket the basebar on the drive side was fucked. The folks at Domodedovo must have been working extra hard to make this happen. Luckily I was able to buy another one off some random dude in a bike shop. So, the bag is great, but you must be aware of the dangers you are exposing yourself to when shipping your bike with the cockpit still mounted on.

i used this bag for the first (and now only time) last year and at my destination i discovered the bikes' rear dropouts had been knocked out of the supporting frame: the bike had been secured by the provided skewer and the actual skewer was bent through force, and the whole rear end was loose.

on closer inspection the saddle post had been knocked down into the frame about an inch as well: i can only presume either the bag had been dropped on the saddle or another bag/box had been dropped on my bag forcing the saddle post down and knocking the whole frame out of the rear supports and in doing so bending the actual skewer.

quite simply this bag (and other soft bags) simply will not provide protection from mishandling such as being dropped or having other bags/boxes being dropped on it: i'll never use another bag of this type again.

i've seen it more than once now (when disembarking at an airport and being driven in a transport bus to the terminal) where a baggage truck goes around a sharp corner, and cases fly off the back onto tarmac and then just chucked back on - who knows what goes on out of sight.

I am in an active search for a lightweight hard case for my bike. Because of the unorthodox shape of my Omni the standard options are mostly unavailable to me - they expect to have a triangular frame to be strapped to the case. Any suggestions?

I highly recommend a bikeboxalan. I have three of these cases, have travelled everywhere with them from many destinations in Europe to South Africa to Australia to Russia and never once had a problem.

My P3 (size 56) fits in beautifully. Cannot recommend strongly enough.

https://bikeboxalan.com