This for mini_oab.
Seems the bike bag choice in NZ is 'limited', with Evoc being a *lot* of money, and then basically few choices.
Neither of these has wheels. Both are 'soft', but we like the idea of a folding Dogsbody that you beg a bike box and cut the cardboard into shape for flying - then the bag itself folds really small.
Any experience of either?
(Means NBD NZ edition is incoming...)
https://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products/dogsbody-compact-bike-bag
https://www.myride.co.nz/products/scott-bike-transport-bag-classic-black
If he's going to use a bike box in addition to the bag, then isn't the bag a bit redundant? The only reasons I have a bike bag is to avoid the hassle of sourcing a box every time I fly, and for the wheels on the bag making airport navigation easier. He'll have neither of those benefits so why not save the money?
I have used the ground effect bag for many flights over the years. I use foam pipe lagging and have a cut up bike box so that the bike sits in a cardboard tray and then the sides of the bag are reinforced with loose cardboard sides. It all stores relatively compactly in the loft. The end result is a cheap, light and easy to travel with bag. It is more faff to pack and unpack as opposed to an Evoc, but works well in my opinion and I have yet to have a bike damaged when transported this way. The bag can be slung on one shoulder so you can walk whilst having your hands free, so much easier than using both hands to carry a box on and off buses etc.
Whilst one with wheels on its ideal, they're $nz600-1200, so £300-600, and it's not going to get huge use this year - maybe 3 flights..? So one that's second hand or cheaper is good value...
Or, he just needs that huge roll of tape and a box to beg...
Have a look on TradeMe? Although I think this might be the opposite end of the country to where mini_oab is.
I bought a predecessor to the ground effect one whilst in NZ in 2002/3 (yikes).
I've done several trips with it on planes. I've taken both approaches to packing - cut a cardboard bike box down to fit inside the bag for extra protection and also carefully packed it without any cardboard, albeit 'it' was a fully rigid steel on one inbred. It's been in planes both ways and the bike hasn't suffered damage.
At destination I've folded the bag up and strapped it to the top of the pannier rack then toured.
Ps the bag is really well made
Cheers all - I've just found a second hand Ground Effect bag he's going to try and go get today...
Abigale recons everything is expensive in NZ but still loving it
Did he sort a bike out.
Yep - my brother's LBS had ex Demo Stumpy Comp Alloy - it's just getting prepped and serviced for him. 😎
That's good then. Bet he can't wait to hit the trails
Where did he finish up
He's at my brother's in Auckland currently - it's been half term so they were all in Rotorua for a week - he hired a Trance and hit the trails there.
New job starts in Queenstown on 16th. He's landed a job with accomodation and a staff car, so job is just outside Queenstown, house is downtown apparently - and there's another mtb'er starting with him ..
I’ve got (but so far haven’t used because of the pandemic) a Ground Effect Tardis, which is the mountain bike version.
It’s well made, but minimal.
I am going to use mine for train travel, where the main point is just to have my bike in a bag on some legs of the journey in France.
I think the idea that bikes need loads of padding and protection when travelling by plane is probably not true. I have a friend who works at Heathrow and he says the days of baggage being chucked around are long gone*. Special baggage (which is where bikes are checked in) is apparently treated especially delicately. People check in things like televisions and computer monitors and they’re fine, so bicycles should definitely be ok.
The main advantage of the bags with wheels IMO is that you can put your other kit in there as well.
The main advantages of the EVOC bags are that they are easier to roll than other makes IMO.
*Although I’m not sure about travel in the US?
Hope he enjoyed the trails. Abigale has just started a new job as a Bike Patrol Officer at Skyline in Rotoura
We have an old version of the Ground effect. It works well but can be a bit long, so if on a luggage trolley makes a wide load to get through lift doors and check-in queue tapes. Fork is a bit exposed so needs lots of foam protection.
I always thought they missed a trick with that bag. Some diagonal "sausage" tubes stitched into the side panels could have been stuffed with your small clothes to make padding.
Abigale has just started a new job as a Bike Patrol Officer at Skyline in Rotoura
Living the dream!
She thinks so 🤞