Cheap soft case
 

I have a trans-Pacific trip towards the end of the year and will be staying at the other end of the Pacific for around two months. A rental would be very expensive for two months and buying and reselling a bike would be a gamble and a hassle. I'd really love to bring my bike with me and am crossing my fingers that I won't be hit with as high a surcharge by the airlines if I bring the bike in a soft case. Since this is a one-time thing I don't wanna spend a lot on the case either. How are the cheaper soft cases from Performace, Nashbar or PBK??

I'm thinking of this case from PBK:
http://www.probikekit.com/_img_500x640/NP07731.jpg

Or this case from Performance:
http://www.performancebike.com/produ...-BLK-ANGLE.jpg

Or this one from Nashbar:
http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photo...-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

Is this a carry on bag, or a checked bag. If you check your bike in a soft case expect it to be broken on the other end. I am not sure how that could fit carry on though.

Cheap soft cases offer zero protection to your bike. They are made for carrying your bike on road trips inside your car. For air travel, you are better off putting the bike in a clear plastic bag, so at least the baggage handlers will know it is a bike and hopefully treat it more carefully. A cardboard box with lots of padding will give you lot more protection.

+1. If you do not want to use a hard case, these two sites might give you some alternatives. One uses reinforced cardboard or plastic boxes that can be easily stored and reused.

www.shipbikes.com

www.crateworks.com

Personally, I always use my Trico Iron Case...

How cheap is cheap? Check out our Scicon Travel cases here - http://www.wekeepyoucycling.com/en/c-18-bags.aspx

I'd be concerned about checking a carry bag like the ones you've shown. Not enough protection for air travel, some of the scicon product clearly warn about using their carry bags for air travel.

Hope that helps.

I would also not count on carrying anything on - they can make you check anything now adays.

Having worked for an airline before. You do not want to use a soft case, if you want you bike to be in good order when you want to ride it. Take the others advice of a hard case of some kind. You will be glad you did. Soft case is not for air travel.

I hear ya. Cardboard box from the LBS it is!! Thanks!!