The Thule case is awesome--its the same construction (if not better) than any other plastic hardshell travel case I have ever used. It does not protect from poor packing, however. You alway support the dropouts with a thick cardboard tube inserted in the rear triangle and in between the front fork blades in place of the wheels (I use junk hubs). Then everything in the case should be tied, strapped and secured in such a way NOTHING moves. Rear derailleurs are always removed since they act like a lever on the rear dropout when pressure is applied. Theres a few more ins and outs, but in the past 5 years I have probably packaged 50 bikes including my own in cardboard boxes, crates, and plastic travel cases (incl. Thule, which is what I use for my own bikes). Not even ONE has arrived damaged.