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Bike Case: Biknd Helium V4 vs. Scicion Aerocomfort Tri 3
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I'm planning out a European IM (Norway) for next year, and I need to get a bike case. I've narrowed it down the the Helium V4 and the Aerocomfort Tri. I like the idea of keeping the aero bars on, but without a hardshell, it looks like an accident waiting to happen if the case gets dropped in the wrong way. I've read reviews of both cases, and it seems there are pros and cons for each.

So far I've heard that the Helium V4 can be deflated by TSA, pretty much negating the protective air bladders & the Aerocomfort has the chance of having the base bar & extensions broken if there's a direct hit on that end of the case.

Anyone with experience with both or either one care to weigh in?

Not sure it matters, but I'd be flying from Boston to Norway, then Germany to visit my brother in-law before heading back home. I'm planning on trying to store the bike at the Hamburg or Copenhagen airport (depending on where we fly into).

Blog: http://262toboylstonstreet.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/NateThomasTri
Coaching: https://bybtricoaching.com/ - accepting athletes for 2023
Last edited by: natethomas: Aug 21, 18 8:57
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Re: Bike Case: Biknd Helium V4 vs. Scicion Aerocomfort Tri 3 [natethomas] [ In reply to ]
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I've used earlier versions of both cases. Biknd went to China. SciCon has gone to HI, AZ and PNW. I ended up buying the Scicon. I found it easier to use and held more stuff. I didn't have any issue with the Biknd, it was just really big and bulky due to the air.

With the Scicon, I have removed the aerobar extensions and I have left them on without incident. My theory is that shit happens and there is only so much I can do to prevent the damage. I do wrap key parts in insulation/towels to protect it better. Not sure if it would make the difference but I feel better.
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Re: Bike Case: Biknd Helium V4 vs. Scicion Aerocomfort Tri 3 [natethomas] [ In reply to ]
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I flew with my TT bike once using a SciCon bag. I wasn't comfortable leaving the extensions just handing out there so I loosened the bars and tilted them down. Not sure it was any better but it gave me some peace of mind.
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Re: Bike Case: Biknd Helium V4 vs. Scicion Aerocomfort Tri 3 [natethomas] [ In reply to ]
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I've got the Scicon 2.0 Tri bike bag.

I've improvised a brace between the aerobars to minimise the risk of any sideways impact. I always intended to get a length of plastic pipe and cut a notch in each end to go between the bars but never quite got around to it but a rolled up thick piece of cardboard cut to length has done the job so far.

No idea how much of a difference it might make but it makes me feel slightly better. I also use pipe lagging for all the tubes that the bits that came with the bag don't cover and bubble wrap around the brake calipers. I've no wish to tempt fate but so far it has been a good buy.
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Re: Bike Case: Biknd Helium V4 vs. Scicion Aerocomfort Tri 3 [natethomas] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for the replies so far. Is the 'sleeve' on the Scicion case that goes over the extensions at all structural, or is it just something like neoprene or foam?

Blog: http://262toboylstonstreet.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/NateThomasTri
Coaching: https://bybtricoaching.com/ - accepting athletes for 2023
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Re: Bike Case: Biknd Helium V4 vs. Scicion Aerocomfort Tri 3 [natethomas] [ In reply to ]
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I'm not sure it's so much the Helium being deflated by the TSA so much as it is the air pressure changing (the way a plastic water bottle will deform during landing).
I've gotten to my destination with it both inflated and deflated without having a TSA inspection notice in my bag (and vice versa too).

That being said, there's still very good padding on the bag itself and have never felt nervous flying with it. But I also ensure I remove the bars and rear derailleur though.
Last edited by: buh_buh: Aug 21, 18 12:52
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Re: Bike Case: Biknd Helium V4 vs. Scicion Aerocomfort Tri 3 [natethomas] [ In reply to ]
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natethomas wrote:
Thanks for the replies so far. Is the 'sleeve' on the Scicion case that goes over the extensions at all structural, or is it just something like neoprene or foam?

It has some very minimal padding in it. I'm always concerned that my extensions are going to break with my scicon.

I have traveled with a scicon for the last few years and it has served me well. But I have recently come to the conclusion that with a soft case, it's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". I've moved over to the dark side and got a hard case (premier bike). It will probably be a little more work packing it up compared to the scicon but for the peace of mind, I'm ok with that.

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Re: Bike Case: Biknd Helium V4 vs. Scicion Aerocomfort Tri 3 [stevej] [ In reply to ]
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stevej wrote:
natethomas wrote:
Thanks for the replies so far. Is the 'sleeve' on the Scicion case that goes over the extensions at all structural, or is it just something like neoprene or foam?


It has some very minimal padding in it. I'm always concerned that my extensions are going to break with my scicon.

I have traveled with a scicon for the last few years and it has served me well. But I have recently come to the conclusion that with a soft case, it's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". I've moved over to the dark side and got a hard case (premier bike). It will probably be a little more work packing it up compared to the scicon but for the peace of mind, I'm ok with that.

I was somewhat considering the Premier case, but didn't realize it was available yet. I have don't have electronic shifting and wonder how much cable 'play' there is if I tried to take my extensions out to fit in that case.

Blog: http://262toboylstonstreet.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/NateThomasTri
Coaching: https://bybtricoaching.com/ - accepting athletes for 2023
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