I use a Bike Box Alan Triathlon-Aero Easyfit. I am a big fan. It is a hard case with an anti-crush pole down the middle (unless you put a disc wheel in there). The hard case makes me feel a whole lot better and at this point I really don't stress while flying with it. Talking with soft case users while waiting at the oversized luggage area, it sounds like those often come with some level of stress that luggage handlers won't be so kind. There is an open soft vs hard debate, some claim baggage handlers are gentler with soft cases because they feel fragile... I just know if I had a soft case and had an issue, I would blame myself for not having a hard case.
For an XL Speed Concept I:
- Remove aero bars and velcro them into the case (leave base bar attached)
- Remove wheels and velcro them into the wheel spots
- Remove rear mech and chain and velcro it inside
- Slam seatpost
- Remove pedals and velcro them in
For a size 60 Madone or 61 Boone I:
- Remove wheels and velcro them into the wheel spots
- Remove rear mech and chain and velcro it inside
- Slam seatpost
- Remove pedals and velcro them in
Pros:
- Hard case
- Easily fits large bikes
- Works with a disc wheel
- Wheels on the case work great
Cons:
- Case is heavy 13.5kg empty (not a concern for me, as I fly enough to get free 70lb bags with my airline of choice, but worth considering)
- It is big all the time, big in your garage when not in use, big in the uber, big in the rental car...
- No internal compartments you may find on a soft bag, its just one large open space with velcro, I find there are velcro spots for most things I remove (rear mech, chain) but you may want a padded accessory bag to prevent them from jumbling around in there.
I have the process pretty dialed at this point, my road and gravel bikes only take 10 minutes to load and unload/rebuild, so I bring this thing with me even if I only get a ride or two on the trip. It has probably flown 20ish times at this point as only has a few scuffs, no major damage.
The Tri bike is a bit more involved with reattaching the aero bars, it ends up taking me a bit longer, and I don't bring it with me as often just out on convenience.
~Zac
For an XL Speed Concept I:
- Remove aero bars and velcro them into the case (leave base bar attached)
- Remove wheels and velcro them into the wheel spots
- Remove rear mech and chain and velcro it inside
- Slam seatpost
- Remove pedals and velcro them in
For a size 60 Madone or 61 Boone I:
- Remove wheels and velcro them into the wheel spots
- Remove rear mech and chain and velcro it inside
- Slam seatpost
- Remove pedals and velcro them in
Pros:
- Hard case
- Easily fits large bikes
- Works with a disc wheel
- Wheels on the case work great
Cons:
- Case is heavy 13.5kg empty (not a concern for me, as I fly enough to get free 70lb bags with my airline of choice, but worth considering)
- It is big all the time, big in your garage when not in use, big in the uber, big in the rental car...
- No internal compartments you may find on a soft bag, its just one large open space with velcro, I find there are velcro spots for most things I remove (rear mech, chain) but you may want a padded accessory bag to prevent them from jumbling around in there.
I have the process pretty dialed at this point, my road and gravel bikes only take 10 minutes to load and unload/rebuild, so I bring this thing with me even if I only get a ride or two on the trip. It has probably flown 20ish times at this point as only has a few scuffs, no major damage.
The Tri bike is a bit more involved with reattaching the aero bars, it ends up taking me a bit longer, and I don't bring it with me as often just out on convenience.
~Zac