What bike case do you use? do you have to pull your bike apart?

I am going to buy a bike case, having never ownwed one before.

I am prepared to take the handle bars and seat off but that is about as far as my expertise goes. The issues that concern me are firstly size: some of the cases that you don't need to pull your bike apart are so big you need to rent an SUV at the other end to fit your case (and family) in the car. On the other hand understand with the flatter cases you need to take the rear de-railer off which is also a bit of a painful thing to be doing just before a race if you don't know what you are doing?

You thoughts?

Paul