As I will be flying to IM Moo later this year, need to invest in a bike case. Any real differences between Trico or Tri All 3 cases? The Trico cases look a bit less expensive. Thanks-
Spot
do a search and you’ll find lots of threads. The Trico is my vote. Teh Tri all 3 case is nice (assuming you’re getting the version that looks pretty much like a Trico but with latches) but I’ve never been fond of the latches as they always seem to break after a while. Also the Tri All 3 cases I’ve used, while being lighter and stiffer than Tricos also cracked a lot easier. I’ve had my Trico for a while and love it. Tai
My wife and I have 2 cases. I have a Serfas, which has more room inside than all I looked at. I have used it a dozen times, I’m an airline Captain, with no damage. The other was a suprise. I got it for my wife to use maybe once a year. Its a Nasbar, It is strong, and a great value. I think with one of their sale coupons it cost me $179. $120 less than mine and really no big difference. If your frame is 55cm or larger I would try one out 1st before ordering, the frames don’t fit in all of them.
yeah, those nashbar cases are pretty nice. Strong non-brittle material, simple design, easier to wheel, I think the only downside is that the way it tapers on the one end you don’t have as much room to put helmets, shoes, and other stuff in there. But then again with all the new weight limits I can usually barely get my bike and a few other goodies in there without breaking 50lbs.
That Serfas case is really nice looking and the latches look pretty sturdy as well. I still prefer straps like on the Trico but I was digging the Serfas case the other week.
I went with a Serfas. Can be a challenge at times getting the right fit in there (I’ve only got a 56 cm). But once packed, I had no negative thoughts on my stuff arriving safely. Ebay will get you one for $240 or so.
Another option is renting. If it’s a one-time deal, rent from a local shop. Rates around me are $50/week.
I just ordered the Trico from a place called Sunrise Cyclery. Very good customer service (so far) and they do free shipping.
I originally ordered the Trico Ironcase from Nashbar, which turned out to be a huge pain the a**. Their web site does not accurately compute shipping charges, so they don’t send the item. They also do not notify you of this, I had to email them and find out what was wrong. I had ordered second day air to get my bike to San Francisco in time for Escape from Alcatraz. After not receiving the case for five days, I contacted them and found the problem. They put me in a time crunch to get a bike case, which I did end up ordering from them. Their shipping charge was enormous.
Stay away from Nashbar!
----->Trent
Tri All 3 cases are excellent. However, they are somewhat less compact that either Trico or Serfas. The clamshell (i.e. top and bottom as opposed to left and right half) construction of the Tri-All 3 makes it easier and less awkward to pack I think, but it does not fit in all rental cars and can makefor quite a mess when you get to your destination.
I use the Serfas case and it fits in the back of most rental cars, even some sub compacts.
The Tri-All 3 wheelsafe is excellent for transporting an extra set of wheels though.
Do you think I would have any issues getting a 55cm/700C P2K in the Serfas?
Spot
The compact version (not the clamshell) of the Tri-all 3 is really nice and I haven’t had any problems getting it into the car. I find it really easy to pack and have yet to even get a scratch on my bike during transport (which I have had happen when squishing everything together in the clamshell case) . Also, I find that when I have borrowed the Trico type cases that having squished everything together that I usally have to do some adjusting once I get it out of the case…which I never have had to do with my Tri-all 3. The compact version can be sent UPS at a cheaper shipping rate unlike the fullsized cases. I have been really happy with my case but some definite drawbacks are that the price is high (about $450, which if your bike is worth a couple thousand then it isn’t entirely unreasonable but high nonetheless), and like Tom D. said the case uses a stiffer plastic which can crack more easily (I have used mine for about 2 years and have yet to get a crack, but if you do you can get it repaired). So the bad news is that the case is more expensive and may not last quite as long. Oddly enough, I am still glad I went with the Triall3 case. In the end both are very good cases