Just wondering anyone has experience in shipping bikes (UPS or FedEx) via softsided cases like the Aerus Biospeed (which I have). I’ve thought about shipping my TT bike to a race (taking the Breakaway on the plane with me). I could use a cardboard box and was trying to think if I could use the soft-sided case. Amtrak is another option, but means lugging the bike down to the train station…
Thanks for the advice!
-Pete
Depends… do you mine your bike being underneath 30 other hardcase suit case’s ? If not get a hard case and use the soft case when in your own car or in your possesion where you can see it. Just my opinion though.
Pete - I have a BikePro soft-sided case and I’ve travelled several times with it - no problems. If I were to ship my bike, I think I’d use it with few worries. Of course, I’d wrap all the tubes with foam pipe insulation and strap down any parts/tools tightly first. Might want to fill in any empty spaces w/ towels or other light padding. I figure if I’m packing a truck, it makes the most sense to stand it upright, rather than lay it on its side - should offer plenty of protection. Just my opinion though.
I have the Aerus bag as well, and if I were going to ship it I would just pad it up a little and get the insurance…
i think it will be fine, nobody is harder on things then the airline worker and I have never had a problem yet.
Sometimes, delivery services required proof that an damaged item was in good condition when shipped. Make sure to document condition when packed.
Pete - I made the switch to a soft-sided “Trans-It” case/bag last year. Best $29.99 (on sale at Performance) investment I’ve made. I traveled multiple times on different airlines last year with no fees and zero damage. As mentioned, insure you pack-it carefully. I bubble wrap the entire frame-set(protection and disguise), fill in the empty spaces with plastic bags filled with polystyrene “popcorn”, and especially important, place the plastic chocks/bars (not sure of their proper name) in the fork and rear dropouts that manufacturers use when they ship (you can get them from your LBS), and I have a styrofoam “cover” I fashioned to encase the RD.
The entire case/bag, including bike, Zipp 808’s in their own softsided cases, a few tools, helmet and packing material weighs in at about 29lbs. If I check in at the inside desk and am asked “what’s in the bag, or is that a bike?”…I reply…“it’s a carbon frameset and accessories, it only weighs 29lbs and is within oversize specifications.” I haven’t gotten an argument or inspection…Knock wood. (It probably helps if you’re traveling with or checking in next to someone who has golf clubs in a hard case which seem as large or larger and weigh alot more and travel for free) 
Usually I just check it curbside. I place a $20 on the Skycap counter and then put the bikecase and my suitcase next to it. The only response to this I have gotten is “Thank-you, here’s your claim-checks, you’re departing from Gate _, have a nice flight”
Happy Travels-
Ray
I’m in the same boat - thinking about shipping in an aerus bag (or even aerus inside cardboard) instead of taking it on the plane. Have you already done this or were you just planning?