Looking for recommendations for a bike case. My problems/issues are as follows:
Using the TRICO iron case I have to take off my crank (54 inch) to fit the bike (Griffen Vulcan, size 57) due to the length of the aero seatpost. I’d rather not have to do this and risk damaging the crank taking it on + off every time I travel (I am not a mechanical whiz and could picture myself doing damage). The Serfas, Thule and Nashbar cases all look to be about the same size and would, I assume, have the same problem.
I am also concerned about putting a disc wheel in a clam shell bike case like the TRICO. Any experience with this good or bad?
I have never used the triallsports cases but they look like they’d be supertough to get in a taxi to the airport (my only means of getting to/from my airport) + expensive to ship.
Cannot afford the SCi-Con case.
Anyone with similar issues/constraints come up with an effective solution or know of any other brand of cases that may solve my problems? Thanks in advance.
Just the other day, I was talking to Spencer Smith about traveling with a bike…
I’ll tell you that Spencer uses SCI Con Bicycle Travel bag <400.00. He does travel with a disc and does wrap that in a foam casing. He’s never had any damage to wheels or frame. He’s also mentioned that he hasn’t had to pay additional for his bike flying back and forth from NJ to FLA.
I have used an Elite Travelcase to travel with a 56 cm Kestrel 200sci, a Large Giant Composite and a small Kuota Kaliber and with a disc in each case, I have never had any problem with the condition of either bike or disc arriving safely. The wheels are separated from the frames by a layer of plastic sheeting and another of foam. You need to remove wheels, seatpost, pedals off and loosen the faceplate on your stem to rotate the bars down. All easy tasks for non-mechancs but not necessary to remove rear derailleur or cranks. Another benefit of this box is that not only is it strong but it is relatively compact and is not a pain to travel around with.
I also had a bike with a large aero seatpost that didn’t fit into the trico case. Instead of taking the cranks off, try taking the big chainrings off. Should be easier and faster.
Hey TargetGoingLong - since you were speaking with Spencer recently how is he doing? Do you know if he’s still planning on racing IM at elite level or is he going to retire?
He’s had SO much bad luck in recent years i hope he hasn’t called it a day… i saw him while racing in the UK half last year and was sad he missed out on the kona slot.
He’s refocused and training hard… Picked up a new bike sponsorship in FELT. So he’ll be riding a custom B2. I think he’s getting it tomorrow. He’s doing we’ll and recommitted himself to going long. He’ll be doing Disney Half and he’s seriously thinking about throwing his hat in at Timberman. I can’t remember which full he’ll be doing. He was planning on Lake Placid, but with no pro men this year that ruled that out.
I bought a bike travel case last summer for the frequent flying I do with my bike (to and from college). It is big, a soft case so it is easier to handle, and it has a metal frame and a lot of padding and has protected my bike very well. no bike disassembly required (except wheels). I put my 57 bike, 2 sets of wheels, all my cycling stuff, tools, equipment, pump etc. It is the bikebag.de and i bought mine on ebay (buy it now) for $219.00. The only downside to this case so far (flown cross-country 3 times) is how horrendously ugly it is. check it out http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3685902907&category=62131
There would be no way to secure it in a triall3 case. With spoked wheels, you just wrap some velcro straps around the rims and secure it to the bike frame.
I haven’t used a trico, so I can’t answer that question.