i need a big bike bag for my large commencal dh bike. i need to fly so need a bag big enough without damaging bits.

any cheap bags out there?

I just discovered my LBS rents out hard cases at £35 per trip. Might be worth giving your own LBS a bell, in case they do the same.

Also, a bloke I work with transports his bike using two bike boxes from his LBS – one stays intact and the other gets cut up to double-line the sides. He wraps towels and clothes around the frame and wheels to pad them out.

I just use a hard case now, baggage rates are such that i just factor 'another' bag cost into my trip safe in the knowledge my bike will arrive unsquashed. I've used bags, corflute lined boxes, padded bags you name and and had 3 bike frames nailed in various ways – all killed dead. But i was flying a lot. I've just packed my wifes Anthem W with crossmaxes and its 22kg in a Serfas box and my Tallboy is bang on 23kg in another Serfas case.