Forgive me as I know this has been discussed before, but tell me if I’m on the right track here…
I’m thinking about purchasing a soft-shell bike bag, lining the sides with large sheets of heavy duty cardboard or thin medium density foam, removing appropriate bike parts (bars, pedals, RD, etc) and bubble-wrapping everything (frame, wheels, small parts plus misc. items like helmet) prior to packing. Its an aluminium bike which needs to survive a 12 hour one-stop flight with no change of aircraft.
The cheaper hard-shell travel cases seem way too heavy for my liking, and I don’t want to spend upwards of $500 on a sub-10kg case.
I think the soft-shell idea will be sufficient due to the limited handling in transit. I’m inclined to think the baggage handlers may also take better care with what should be an obviously fragile piece (I know, I know, I’m hoping). What do the experienced travellers say?
I’ve had a Bike Pro USA softside case since 1999, and it’s still holding up fine. Airport luggage handlers don’t always handle it with care, and often pile other luggage on top.
I’ve really never had any problem with it. Just make sure everything is very tight, as screws tend to loosen with justling. (Uses quick release on fork, and bottom bracket T screw)
It has wheels, tow strap, and shoulder strap. When I ship my bike with helmet, shoes, wetsuit and pump, it totals just under 50 lbs.
Pipe insulation works well for tubes, the cardboard liners aren’t a bad idea, but I’ve never done it. I’m more concerned about race wheels, but I’ve never had problems with those either (which fit in the bag).
Hard case for sure - solid, safe and my bike has been perfect every trip - from Canada to Cancun. Might be heavier and clunkie, but well worth the $ for my peace of mind. If you are going to take it all apart, just look at the TRI ALL 3 Sports Clam Shell Velo Safe - $360 but worth the investment if you travel.
I’ve flown with it over 25 times, and NEVER had damage to bike or wheels.
I take off the wheels, pedals, lower the saddle, and flip the handle bars. Not sure how much you need to tear down with the Performance hard case. There was a time when the Performance hard case could be shipped via UPS, I’m not sure if that still is true?
If you fly your bike alot, a good case is well worth it. If you only fly your bike once in awhile, you might consider renting them from your LBS.
Good Luck, maybe get a deal from “stal” in the classifieds on the hard shell case. But if you do choose a soft sided one, don’t worry about what he said: "if you think your bike will survive airline bag throwers in a soft case…think again. buy a hard case."
I have traveled with a soft case more than 30 times including races in europe and south america. In all of those trips, I’ve only nad a broken spoke once. No other problems. Always remove the rear mech.
Let me just add I live in NZ and obtaining a hard-shell case of decent weight is *very *expensive in this part of the world…well upwards of $500 (local currency) when you include oversize intl shipping. I couldn’t see myself flying with the bike (intl or domestic) any more than twice p/a, if that…
I have to respectfully disagree with you tho… just because you’ve done something 25 times and been lucky doesn’t mean it won’t happen. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen how bag throwers work, but it ain’t pretty. There’s no way i’m trusting my $3000 carbon fiber bike on a soft-shell case, especially when considering the chance of showing up at a race (which you travelled to!) and having broken bike issues…just cause you wanted to save a few bucks on the case. The hard shell cases are shipp-able, and if you call it a ‘massage table’ you often don’t have to pay for it on the airlines.
Same thing for dismantling, pedals, wheels, seatpost, handlebars.
and I totally agree with you…if you’re only going somewhere once or so, rent it from the LBS.
**There’s no way i’m trusting my $3000 carbon fiber bike on a soft-shell case, especially when considering the chance of showing up at a race (which you travelled to!) and having broken bike issues…just cause you wanted to save a few bucks on the case. **
Hard cases are great, and I respect your opinion, they’re a great option. But to clarify, my Bike Pro soft sided case costs more than the Performance hard case. In fact, I chose to spend the extra money to get, IMO, a better case.
The hard shell cases are shipp-able, and if you call it a ‘massage table’ you often don’t have to pay for it on the airlines.
Shame on you! That’s lieing and cheating. Just like not stopping at a STOP sign. Just like DRAFTING in a race.
You’re right about one thing though, since my case says “BIKE PRO USA”, I’d never be able to say it’s a “massage” table (not that I would try) LOL
All I can say, is good on ya. I dislike the bike fees just as much as you.
Used to use a hard case, but flying with my bike upwards of 20 times in a year put me off the extra weight of it. Also the only time I had any damage to the bike was in a hard case - I didn’t take off the RD and pressure on the case bent the hanger slightly!
Used a soft case with my $3000+ carbon frame for about 40-50 flights now so far, so good. With the extra costs of travel these days I need to keep the weight down. Make sure the bag is padded, has a good firm base etc. RD off, spacers in forks and rear dropouts to hold in place. Pipe insulation on all the tubes and a good bit of duck tape to hold all in place. Some bubble wrap around various parts and then in the bag. Use the wheels either side to help pad a little further. Can get all I need for training in there under 20kg.
For my trip down to Oz I managed to get the bike and 4 wheels in the one bag and it got here OK.
Having worked as a baggage guerilla in a previous life…you do not want to know what goes on when loading & unloading a plane. Hard shell offers the best protection. Why spend $$$$ on a bike & wheels & then go cheap for the carrier? Soft is good for tacos, not for bikes.
Just flew to AZ and back (from Maine) with my bike in a hard plastic case. When I saw that thing come down the luggage ramp I was pretty glad it was hard plastic. $500 on a bike case but how much is your BIKE worth?
Score one more for the soft case. I’ve also been very pleased with the durability of my Bike Pro Race Case soft side. I’ve had mine for about 15 years and in that time transported steel, titanium and carbon bikes with zero damage. I consider myself lucky and hope I remain that way. However, anyone traveling with a hard case should also consider themselves lucky when their stuff gets there undamaged. Your bike is no more safe in the average hard shell and it is at more risk when TSA opens it up and moves things around then closes it back up with things in the wrong place since hardshells are packed so tight with little room for error. Good luck to everyone in their travels and may there someday be a better and cheaper way to take our bikes on trips!
