FixednotBroken

so i'm in the market for one of these - anyone have some good recommendations? i plan on using this often in the future, so hardy construction design will be an issue (airline luggage handlers, etc.).

plus, will anyone be in cannes/paris from the 23rd - 29th of this month? i'm being flown out on 'business'. it'd be great to do some rides to flush the alcohol from my system...

filtersweep

Trico Iron- the best I've seen... yet.

Bikeophile

The Sci Con Travel Plus is an awesome softshell case, and their Aero Tech Hard Case is the best I've seen.

Sci Con are nice because they don't require you to take as many parts off your bike as some other cases (like the Seat, Bars and pedals).

I'm not knocking the Trico one though. Just haven't seen one up close.

Bikeophile

Elite also makes a really nice hard case too.

sillygirl

I cant comment on quality or brands - but I am pretty sure I noticed one on major sale on nashbar yesterday

delay

I've used this one a bit with a road bike. It has worked well for me.

https://www.bikebag.de/

harlot

I just trekked around the Aleutians with my bike and got a CrateWorks Pro-XL. They do an excellent job with the construction, mostly heavy plastic coated corrugated cardboard, with lots of straps to hold the bike down and heavy foam for the hubs and chainring(s). I watched the airline guys on the tarmac carry it around and heave it onto the belt and I wasn't worried. Lots of external straps and hand holds too. Not a think wrong with my bike the whole journey.

I also like it because it's not the heavy space-case variety and is light enough to carry with other luggage, plus it folds down completely for storage. A guy I work with travels a lot with his bike and was checking out mine and ordered one the same day.

FixednotBroken

you guys are great. thanks for the quick information. nashbar indeed does have the trico iron case on sale at nashbar for $249. i might bite.

riderx

Another vote for the CrateWorks Pro-XL. Since it's not as heavy as your typical hardcase it make it much cheaper to ship your bike. I just sent my out to CO from MD and it cost $38 via FedEx vs. $80 for the airline. I've use this box a lot for many years and have lent it out quite a bit too. Never had anything damaged. The fold away capability is a bonus.

Bikeophile

and its durable over time??? I have never seen these before. At first glance, $109USD for a cardboard box sounds pretty expensive. But it sounds from what you guys are saying that its more than just cardboard. Interesting

riderx

We have the plastic corrugated box (scroll down on the site). Mine is 5 years old and going strong. Plus you can replace individual pieces if you need to. When I bought mine it was a bit cheaper and I found a web coupon.

These days I prefer to ship my bike instead of take it on the plane and this case works especially well for that. It's about half the price to ship it and you can insure it for full value. If it's lost or busted on the plane you won't get much money for it.

harlot

The $160 version is "laminated" with heavy black plastic so it has the lightness of cardboard, but the durability of plastic. This and the cheaper model have all the inside straps to hunker down the frame and foam to protect other parts. When you sandwich the upper and lower parts of the box together, it doubles the thickness of the sidewalls, making the box that much stronger. The box is also wider than regular bike shipping boxes. It has an inside panel to seperate the wheels from the frame. Add to that replaceable parts, excellent customer service and Made in the U.S.A it's well worth the investment. I've only used mine on one trip so far, but their reviews sound like they're good for the long haul.

I used my dad's pricey space case once and find this box to be an excellent alternative without sacrificing the bike's safety.

MattP.

I'm actually headed to the airport w/ my Performance cargo case for the first time. W/ the iron ones you have to worry about the weight of the whole thing. They can get pretty heavey. Mine which is polyyorothane (sp?) is 32 lbs by itself. It's so big that it is awkward to get a grip on it and lift it onto like a truck, or a table.

Well i got to go to the airport

-Matt

jrowe

The exterior straps don't get snagged on stuff while in transit?

harlot

They're about 2"-wide heavy webbing straps that you cinch down hela-tight and still don't have much extra hanging off. They wouldn't get snagged anymore than your average luggage.