Please post a review of the bike case which you use and recommend for future reference.
TricoSports IronCase (3 seasons of successful usage):
Pluses:
- UPS-able size (this is as small size wise as you are going to get for a bike case). Sometimes they don’t charge me extra because it doesn’t look so huge as some. Fits into a lot of cars easily.
- Thick, tough, stiff plastic. Seems bulletproof.
- 3 pieces of nice cushy foam
- The 7 straps allow you to cinch it down snugly to keep everything happy
Cons:
- Only two wheels instead of four, so you do have to lug it more than the TriAll3 cases, which can be a pain
- Smaller size = more dissasembly required
I’d buy it again in a heartbeat…
Good idea, I need one…
I use the Performance Cargo Case. Actually I have the Supergo variant, which is blue instead of black, which is a modest advantage when it comes out the luggage chute: easier to identify.
Holds two wheels and the bike, plus a bunch of stuff.
It’s a solid case, and packs easily. Good tie-downs inside, plenty of padding for the frame.
High quality buckles. Wheels are sturdy and roll easily.
It’s cheap. I got mine for $200.
It lacks handles on the side, to lift it like a giant suitcase. That would be good.
I have been pleased with it and would buy it again. As I mentioned, the price was right.
I’ve had a Triall3 bike case for about 5 yrs and it’s still going strong. This thing can hold lots of gear and has taken some abuse. I like the fact that I can minimally disassemble the bike.
Tri friends in my town have borrowed it from me (free of charge) and use it to go around the world in it when I’m not using it.
I honestly have nothing bad to say about it except the latches are prone to break. If anyone knows how I can get replacement latches I’d appreciate it…
I’ve used both the Trico Ironcase and the TriAll3.
Trico wins.
Not as easy to drag through the airport, but much easier to load into cars (and they fit into the back seat of my Nssan Frontier Crew Cab truck). They fit into the trunk of most cars. Definitely easier to haul up and down stairs and onto airport shuttle buses. You can buy replacement straps and wheels and foam inserts when needed.
Our club has 5 of them and they get heavy use and all are still going strong.
clm
Ditto what Rapstar and irnclm siad about trico
the sandwich effect you get with the foam allows you to back everything workout related and then some into the box. wheels, frame pump, clothes, helmet, shoes, tools, water bottles, wetsuit, etc etc etc. Coming back from a long exercise that I took my bike with me, I was able to pack a 3 ft stack of manuals and maps I had into the box along with all of the stuff I listed about
Not sure you have that ability with the standup cases
I second the Performance case. Sturdy, relatively small, packs easy, fits in a trunk, etc. Most importantly, it is much cheaper than the others and just as good.
another happy Trico Ironcase owner here. 7yrs of use, including numerous times I’ve lent it out. all the same comments as other Trico posters, pro and con.
I have had a triall3 case for about 10 years. It has been utilized by my friends as well and has made a few trips around the world as a result. Minimal damage despite all of the use. I reinforced both ends by pop riveting aluminum sheets on the inside (it was dropped on its end coming back from Germany), now it is bulletproof.
Easy to load, room for lots of gear, and rolls extremely easy.
Regarding the lots of gear, please be aware that some airlines have excess weight fees in addition to the oversize surcharge. Double indemnity, I love it!
“It is never too late to fix your childhood!” Tom Robbins
I third(?) the Performance case.
I have used it over six years and loaned it to friends with no major problems.
I agree with all the strengths shredder and el guapo outlined.
I would add:
- very easy to pull and even push.
- easy and quick to close (even TSA idiots can close it)
- fits in most taxi trunks and rental car back seats
- top and bottom need latches, small things can fall out
- a tight fit for larger frames (59"+)
- could be a bit deeper/thicker for mtn bikes
I think I paid <$150 in 98 on a performance fall sale.
I’ve flown my bike 3 times.
The first time I rented a Trico Ironcase. Quite a bit of Bike disassembly required but eveything travelled well including the tri spokes.
The second time I rented a TriAll3 UPS size case. I don’t know why they call it that since the dimensions still exceed UPS’s limits as near as I can tell. I asked the dealer about it and he said, “You have to fudge a little”. Anyway, I flew with it and it was pretty bulky especially getting it in and out of a car. Other than that, it worked out okay. It required nearly as much bike disassembly as the Ironcase even though it was somewhat larger. It was a lot easier to stuff in the extras like track pump, wetsuit, helmet, etc. And there wasn’t the need to compress it to get it closed.
I finally bought a TriAll3 case. The model I bought is a clam-shell design like the Trico Ironcase but only has 3 straps. I UPSed it one way and flew back with it. No problems.
The clamshell cases are a bit more challenging to pack that the TriAll3 upright models. I don’t find the clamshell any more difficult to drag around the airport and it’s much easier to load in a car. The dimensions of the clamshell are more likely to conform to shipper limitations. Clamshell cases are much cheaper than other models.
TriAll3 offers good discounts to USAT members or you can negotiate a discount from the dealer. I got mine for about $200.
Larry
BikePro oversized case:
Pro’s: Holds a lot. Easy to wheel around the airport. Easy to pack. Soft (semi-rigid) sides allow folding up into more compact space for storage. Bike seems well protected, particularly if you add enough “stuff” to it to help the bike frame support any external loads. The case itself seems extremely durable, last a lifetime. Can carry it with the shoulder strap when needed. Nice looking. Can be “squeezed” into the back seat of a mid size or better car, eg taxi cab.
Con’s: Maybe not as good of protection as a full hard sided like TriAll3, either could be better in different situations depending on what you are subjecting it to…eg I think this takes the “slam” from the luggage truck onto the escalator better because it can absorb the shock, and if stuff is stacked on it the sides will never break, but on the other hand your bike frame will take some of the load of things stacked on it. But I think it would be pretty hard to crush a bike frame in there. Can’t stack your other luggage on it very well at the airport. Can’t attach bumper stickers very well. The case itself is pretty heavy, limiting how much you can add before you exceed the weight restrictions. Seems obvious that it is a bike, although I get asked a lot anyway. Can’t UPS in this size, although the case itself can be folded and UPS’ed. Not cheap.
Recommendation: My pick because storage space was a big issue, although folded up in it’s box it is not much smaller than a TriAll3 with the top set inside the bottom. Never having owned a TriAll3, I’d guess this is slightly inferior during travel, but will never break or wear out. 4 stars out of 5.
I have a TriAll3 Clamshell case, which looks pretty much the same as the Trico IronCase (no idea on any actual differences). I chose it over the TriAll3 upright case because it was half the price, and money was tight at the time. It’s kind of a pain in the ass to drag around, but does a good job protecting my bike, which is all I care about. Fits my Softride just fine, and although I did have to disassemble more than most would normally like, that’s probably because I have Profile Split Second (flip up) aero bars and drop handlebars.
Good value in my opinion.
Second the Bike Pro case. I have the regular size.
Pros:
Easy to pack bike (easier than hard case)
Easy to open and reclose in airports for inspections
Rolls easily in airports
fits in backseat or trunk of fullsize rental car
Cons:
none yet. I’ve used it many times with no damage.
I used cardboard shipping box from my friendly LBS, with some of the original packing material.
It was easy to pack but probably won’t protect my bike very well. To be honest, after this experience, I think a bike transport case is a great idea and I will probably never do this again. I was weary because I was only shipping my bike once to IMF and I probably won’t need a case again for several years. Now I’m kind of regretting it since I’m not sure if my bike will make it one piece. Besides, they had to cut the bike box down in order to make it the right size. Otherwise, I would have had to pay 120 bucks to ship. But know only 60 bucks. Yikes oh well. I’m probably going to get a Trico for the next time, if my bike makes it back from IMF this time. (i’m almost tempted to buy a case and ship it to Florida so I can ship it back protected, but then I really wouldn’t be getting my money’s worth, so I have my fingers crossed) (I don’t recommend this if you have a nice bike)
Not slagging you here…just a question:
If you totaled up all the money you spent to toe the line in IMFL, wouldn’t the bike case be a microscopic amount in comparison? Seems silly to me to jeopardize the whole event and the money spent to get you there just because you avoided getting a bike box.
Anybody heard or used the TriRudy.com bag?
Anybody heard or used the TriRudy.com bag?
http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/bikebag/bikebag.htm
I hear it’s small, but tries really hard and plays with a lot of heart.
Don’t remind me. You make an EXCELLENT point. I guess I’m a cheapo, spent too much money already, and felt that my bike sucked. It it gets wrecked, I literally considered getting a real tri bike down there. But in all honesty, after reading the reviews here about the Trico and the performance cases, it makes NO/ZERO sense not to get a great case even for ONE trip. I’m probably not going to get a case and ship it down this time so I’m leaving the destiny of my Raleigh r500 (yes I know, piece of crap) and my used HED CX wheels to the fates. If anyone sees me at IMF on a real tri bike, then you know my bike got totalled on the way down.