Originally Posted by trombone

I'd really like to be able to start carrying my viola whilst riding my bike. It would make getting to rehearsals much more practical.

Issues arise, however:
- viola is quite delicate, and I'm not sure the vibration implied by strapping it to a rear rack would be good for it
- lightweight case with back straps is not very comfortable / secure
- case with decent padding and good backstraps is expensive and rather heavy, especially as the weight is quite high up (it would stick up behind my head)

Any thoughts? Get a bike with suspension and put it on the rack? Some form of padding for the case when on a rack? Ideas for backpacks and riding with them?

I guess it's a reasonably unusual problem, but anyone with any thoughts or experience please chime in!

(Stage 2 is to carry my trombone on the bike; this is actually easier (as it's less delicate, despite being much heavier). However, if I ride to trombone rehearsal, I'm too puffed to play for about 40 minutes, so it's less practical!)