Brompton Hard Case
 

Looking for peoples opinions and experiences with hard travel cases for the Brompton. What do you do with the hard case at your travel destination.

Been thinking for some time to ask if anybody is using the B hardcase as a trailer like BF`s Samsonlite trailers. Should be ok? Have seen other similar (to the B hardcase) also. Not sure what would be the best one.

http://www.bikeshophub.com/the-bike-friday-trailer/

That's a very good idea ! :thumb:

I got the B & W Clapton but don't have any experiences yet. Still waiting for the Brompton.

http://www.b-w-international.com/ind...id=103&lang=en

http://www.hibike.com/shop/product/p...ikes-2012.html

I use an S&S case for my Brompton. Needed to adjust the handlebars slightly to get it down to 10" thick, but it works like a champ. I don't need to remove my extended seat post like I would for the b-w case, as I imagine handling a folded Brompton without the seat post to hold it all together might be very much like wrestling a spastic jellyfish. Even better, if I ever do get that Surly Travelers Check then one suitcase fits every occasion.

And one more thing: the sturdy b-w case puts you right at the 50# weight limit for most airlines if you have enough goodies on your Brompton. My S6 with every accessory available still comes in 5# light, packing materials included.

Please let us know what you find in the course of your research, it's all useful info to me.

If you're referring to the B & W case, I got one from Calhoun Cycle (it was a few years ago and ASFAICS they were the only US source).
I have flown with it numerous times and it worked flawlessly every time (no extra airline "bike" fees and no damage to bike).
Just to be clear, this is the case I'm referring to:

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productc...idproduct=1252

I'm not aware of a trailer solution, but it's not anything that I've looked for. I do business travel and use the bike to explore in the evenings.

B & W Case
 

I too have the same; I've flown to three cities - all baggage checked (no charge status miles) - no problem with the hard case - I kinda think it's not that well made but it is durable and light so far - I probably add 10 pounds to it. . . so it definitely works! And, I've flown outside the continental US with it. I haven't gate-checked it (yet).

When I travel I pack my Brompton in a Pelican model 1640 case. This thing is bomb proof and the eight times I have traveled with it the bike arrived in perfect condition. Some airlines have dinged me for the size and weight but most do not. The curb side guys are most fussy about size and weight so avoid them. The case is heavy weighing 34 pounds (16kg) but it is very tough, thus the total travel weight with bike is around 60 lbs (27kg).

cbike - did you purchase your B&W Clapton box from hibike.com? Their prices are amazing - two of these boxes for $360 USD shipped where it would cost more than that for just one after sales tax normally! I'm a little skeptical that it might be too good to be true, but it looks like you had a good experience with them? Is that the case?

If you stay in the same hotel both 1st and last night,
they should have room to stow it.

Or at the LBS in that town ? one here has a big basement..

open jaws trip you could ship the empty case..

hibike.com is a fine company a few things though. The shopping card wasn't able to quote the correct shipping since it's oversize. So instead of the 29.90 Euro shipping it did end up costing 44.90 Euro for one case. Hibike will be emailing you and asking to confirm the corrected shipping charge. Also remember that shipping from Europe takes a month. Finally I found a couple flaws with the case. When lifting the case on the handle with the bike in it the two lips don't overlap but the popped side by side (bad description, I know). The other is that it isn't easy to pack the Brompton with the rack in the case, as a result the rack can easel be pushed to one side causing it not being centered over the wheel. TSA did a good job screwing up my bike when they put it back into the case and closed it with lots of force while it wasn't in there properly. The rack got pushed off center far enough the the bike became unrideable. Also the case got a puncture dent and a dent over the "wheel fender" of the case where the rack got pushed. But I guess by flying you pretty much agree to a gamble if your bike will arrive unharmed no matter how you pack or take it along.

To answer your question though, yes I would again purchase from hibike. Just be aware that the shipping will be a little more. You can inquire though or just place the order and wait for their confirmation mail to decide at that time if you want to go through with it.

I used the B&W case to fly to Seoul a few weeks ago. It's about 64 linear inches, meaning it's technically oversized luggage on most airlines, but I wasn't charged either way. The weight of the case + bike was 19 kilograms, well under Asiana's 23K limit. The bike arrived in good condition both ways. I removed the two frame clamps from the bike before packing just to be sure they didn't break during transit. To and from the airport, the case is kind of a pain in the ass, to be honest. But if you're going to one destination and staying there, as opposed to moving around a lot, it's worth it. To make my single-speed Bromwich fit, I had to move the seat forward but didn't have to remove it. Paid about $300 for the case from PortaPedal in Tempe, Ariz.

That's interesting - I haven't heard anything from them since ordering though I just ordered it a day ago. I wonder if they will charge me even more since I bought two cases.

Sorry to hear about the damage! I'd be pretty furious. Do you think that the damage would have still happened if you didn't have the rack on the bike?

Lot's Knife - I had read somewhere that the case is actually 25x25x12, which is exactly 62" even though the exterior dimensions on various websites indicate that it is larger than that. What dimensions did you record for your case?

In terms of fit, I am putting on a Brooks B67 so am curious if the larger seat size is going to require removal each time or some other type of adjustment. I have no rack so maybe that saves me a little room?

1670 mm (or 65.7 linear inches) is what I got from the vendor. I didn't do an independent measurement.

Again, no charges on its maiden voyage. Here's to many more!

If you measure it with a tape measure at the widest parts (i.e., the raised "seam"), you'll get something like 24x25x12.25.

The box it ships in says 64.5x34.5x71 cm. But (again, using a tape measure), that turns out to be the measurements of the *box,* not the measurements of the case.

Yes, the "package dimension" reported to me also added up to 1700 mm = 67 linear inches, with an "outside dimension" of 1670 mm, which I assume includes the case's exterior "bumpers." It's easily the best-made piece of luggage I've ever owned and stores easily in any room you happen to live in.

do you guys actually lock the locks - are they TSA compliant, or do you just leave them open...

Flying tomorrow....

No... I do cable up the bike and any loose items (e.g., seat) within the case to help prevent "sticky finger syndrome", but I leave the hard case unlocked. I do wrap a luggage strap around it however for extra support.

Anyone know if a moulton TSR or AM GT will fit into the Brompton case? Thnx

I doubt a TSR will fit in a Brompton B&W case. The TSR pieces are significantly larger.

I carried Dahons HAT060/HT061, made for the Chinese market, in that case. The corresponding US model is the Boardwalk I think. They fit except for one wheel and quite a bit of dismantling is required. The Brompton M6R has not been much of a problem, put in/take out, with just minimal wiggling.

The Dahons have damaged the foam a bit and I turned to a glue for foam. Also I had some problems keeping the padding strip, that goes over the case's hinge, in place. In total, that case has been used so far in 4 trips, including to Asia and to Europe.