Its time to buy a bike case tired of borrowing whats the best bike case. Bike breakdown how much, protection hard or soft, size can i slide it into the back of a car or am I renting suvs??? Let me know whats working for you. In the past I have borrowed flat hard cases which are conveinet in terms of size. Last race i did I had an upright case made for really quick secure packing but a bitch to put in a car.
Here you go…
Awesome case… I use it every time I travel. I have the previous version, but it cost me less.
I recall reading a good product review on this either in this month’s or last in Triathlon Plus magazine.
1400 is a little steep
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Here it is for 918…
http://www.probikekit.com/us/accessories/luggage-transport/bike-transportation/scicon-aerotech-evolution-tsa-bicycle-travel-case.html
Anyone tried this case? Polaris Pro bike pod? Seems to be similar and it is quite sturdy. Good buy too at 623.
http://www.probikekit.com/us/accessories/luggage-transport/bike-transportation/polaris-bike-pod-pro-bicycle-travel-case.html
I have a TriAll3 that I used a couple of times: http://www.trisports.com/triall3sporv.html
It works great but it’s all kinds of bulky.
This year I’m trying out the Biknd Helium Case: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-accessories/2012-Biknd-Helium-Bicycle-Travel-Case-10245.2836.1.html
I have a Tri All Custom that’s been all over (Hawaii 6 or 7 times) and I’ve never had any issues. It’ll fit in the back seat of a full size car if you remove the top of the case and slide it over the bottom. This covers up the wheels, protects the car seat and only takes a few minutes to do. It’s big. heavy but offers the best protection IMHO.
1400 is a little steep
you did ask for best.
i found one for less. not sure where. it is fantastic though.
Me and my Thule have done 50 plus flights together with no issues…
Surprised it hasn’t been suggested, cheaper than most suggestions here. http://www.rustersports.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=9&vmcchk=1&Itemid=9
You can pack clothes in the bike case as well, if just traveling for a weekend race you should be able to fit all you need within the two bags.
We’ve sold a variety of cases over the years (hard and soft) and, right now, the Aerus BioSpeed bike case seems to be the most popular by far.
The TriAll3 Cases and Thule 699’s were great but after the Airlines cracked down on oversized luggage (and particularly bikes) people say fees in excess of $300 to travel with their bike. Not to mention how bulky they are once you arrive. Therefore soft cases like the Aerus Biospeed have been a great alternative.
I think they are specifically successful for the following reasons:
- They don’t say ‘bike’ or ‘bicycle’ anywhere on the case so most customers don’t get any additional luggage fees when checking in for flights as they are often just treated as standard luggage
- They include a pad set for packing your frame and wheels so you don’t have to go buy pipe insulation and “do it yourself”.
- Attractive pricing (less than $400)
- Easy to store when not in use
- Fits a wide variety of frame types and sizes.
Lastly, we’ve sold 1000’s of these cases in the last couple of years and we have not heard of a single case of damage from use.
Hope this helps.
Me and my Thule have done 50 plus flights together with no issues…
I have a Thule hardcase I bought new for $180. Not a lot of bells and whistles but it’s made about that many flights between me and the people who borrowed it (including transPacific flights). Still going strong. Fits in the backseat of Indonesian taxis, and those cars would be TINY compared to any U.S. sedans.
Thule 699’s are great cases and are especially good for slapping a UPS label on and shipping your bike. However, I am a bit surprised that you haven’t been nailed by any airlines for additional fees. How did you manage to get by unscathed??
The case alone weighs 30lbs and you’re likely to easily hit 50lbs once you add your bike etc.
I am researching the same, a good link re: the Aerus…
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/02/how-i-travel-with-my-bike.html
I’ve used a few different, the best by far was an EVOC - easy to manuver, spacious and light…
Similar (at least phisically) to the amazing Scicon, is Bike Box Alan.
Also, B&W’s bike case.
http://www.b-w-international.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=29&lang=en
Anybody has experience with those?
I´m entering this quest of the bike case also and found the cost of SciCon kid of prohibitive, even at US$ 938 it´s a lot to my shallow pockets.
I´d really like a hard case like B&W’s (wich I think DC Rainmaker talks as “cr#p” on that previously cited post, based on the picture with the yellow packpack), SciCon or Bike box Alan, considering protection (due to our bikes being insanely expensive and it´s one investment that needs to be protected) and also lightness, because we already spend a lot of money in equipment and racing, airline overweight fare is too much!!!
But…price tags aren´t friendly, so that being said, I´d rather go with a “upgraded” soft case like the BikNd Helium or the Aerus.
Is the bike case resembling like a bike case THAT bad?
Well, I´m in Brazil and here airlines are pretty clear on special luggage: bikes should be properly bagged and are allowed with regular luggage fare, as long as it stays below 23kg (around 50lbs) and it´s now oversize (292cm or 115 inches).
So my big concern is just not acquiring a case that qualifies as being oversize, I wasn´t thinking that looking like a bike case was that bad. Actually, since the airport staff treat luggage like they were playing frisbee…looking like a bike might make them be not so uncareful with our babies. Am I getting crazy to think they will be reasonable?
Good article by Fleck on his blog:
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com/2009/10/aerus-bike-bag-review.html
It’s a great bag, doesn’t attract too much attention. About 50% on paying a “bike” fee. Use some foam end cuts I picked up for some extra padding, no issues with carbon wheels.
Here is how a tribike looks in one.
http://www.transitionfour.com/2010/10/aerus-biospeed-bike-travel-case-review/
I remove the rd and use pipe insulation and zipties liberally but never had a problem with TSA mishandling or having to repack.
I like the Bikn’d, it’s nice and light so you stay under the 50lb limit and haven’t been charged excess baggage fees with it yet.
I like the Bikn’d, it’s nice and light so you stay under the 50lb limit and haven’t been charged excess baggage fees with it yet.
X2, and if you rent a subcompact at destination, you can take the bike out, fold up the case and be on your way.
Pika packworks. http://chasingwheels.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-pika-packworks-eep-travel-case.html
Used it twice and never charged a bike fee.