So, does anybody make a sort of rigid soft bag for taking your bike on a plane, like the soft padded ones you can get but maybe with a hard plastic insert in the sides as well as padding? I'm thinking of getting a padded one and just putting a cardboard box in it to help with protection and to stop it flopping in the middle, but wondered if there was something better available? Not that keen on the hardcase ones as, although ideal, they all seem very heavy and weigh as much or more as the bike you're putting in it, and as airlines seem to be keen(er) to charge for excess I want to avoid that.
Sounds like the Dakine bike bag might fit the bill for you, I have one and weight wise I'm guessing It must be about 9/10KG empty...
Mmm, is that the only one?
Did see that one, and think they list the weight as 10kg, so plus bike and a few bits would bring it up to maybe 25kg?
Overall is it a good bag/case, looks easier to move around/pull along than the soft bags with wheels at the narrow ends, does it give good protection?
I'm trying to find something decent as the only time I've taken my bike on a flight, in 2 cardboard bike boxes, it got damaged! 😕 A few other times I've hired but you don't always get a decent bike.
Hi I have the Dakine Bag/Case and may be interested in selling (great bag but limited space at home causing issues).
Chose it as like you I decided it offered a great compromise of protection. It is very easy to wheel around and very stable. Only downfall is narrow doors or luggage trolley width restrictions.
Absoloute zero damage to bike on both legs (but granted I spent a lot of time packing it).
Compared with my friends simple padded bag the amount of swearing induced on a Cardiff - Calgary trip was at a ratio of around 1:1,000!
Only used once for that trip, e-mail me if you are interested (address in profile).
keppoch.
i saw the evoc one at the recent bike show and it was very cool....£250 and weighed 7kilos...took road or even a dh bike.ive got them coming in at some point
Ive used one of these regular since 2004 with no problems, got it in Decathlons half price sale
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Tracey
These look like the dogs b's:
http://crateworks.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Bike-Boxes&Store_Code=crateworks
When Mark from here came out to visit us he had a crateworks thing (I'm sure it was that brand) and it was fantastic. Easily the best solution I've seen. Fairly rigid with foam all pre cut to fit and wee straps to keep the bike in place. It took less than 10 minutes to build his bike up for the day because he hardly had to strip it down at all. Looked totally secure too.
One of mates and I have one of [url= http://www.bikebag.de/produkte/sky.html ]these[/url] which I am happy with but I bought when the Euro was at a more attractive rate. They weigh about 8-9 kg I think.
The crateworks ones fold flat too which is loads better than having a full hard case.
tbh i've never had an issue with a regular bag with a (cut up) box inside. box fits well, i tend to just use the base of the box with the front and the back of it still there too, having cut out about 60% of the middle pannels and the top
offers adequate protection ime if used alongside some padding etc
i got an on-one/planet-X bag, reduced to a real low price cos it was pink.
Thanks all, gives me some more options.
The evoc one looks good but not sure about putting the wheels on the outside bit, even in the pictures for it they have the discs on the outside - that's asking for bent rotors or spokes surely?
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/core-bike-2010-evoc-luggage-24810
Found one that looks good from Thule, the Thule 699 Bike Case ... BUT, £400+ for a plastic case with some wheels and foam 😯 bonkers! The hardcases really are expensive!
Have emailed you keppoch, might be interested?
"The evoc one looks good but not sure about putting the wheels on the outside bit, even in the pictures for it they have the discs on the outside - that's asking for bent rotors or spokes surely?"
If you look more closely, there's a support that takes the stress against the tyres and protects the hub.
Anyone seen an Evoc bag in the flesh yet?