There's a couple of offers on bike cases that look interesting and bring it down to around £250-£300. In the past I've used bike boxes which can be a faff if you don't have one to hand as well as all the time off packing it carefully.PLus I think you'd have better peace of mind over it?
That said It's unlikely I'll use it more than once a year. Those that use them would you say it was worth it.
Is a bike case a worthy investment?
Re: Is a bike case a worthy investment?
If you have a piece of carbon fibre exotica I would say yes, otherwise read on.
1990s I travelled frequently for work and often took a bike with me, so a box was useful.
Early 2000s, I flew a couple of times a year at most, all for domestic or touring purposes. I was able to arrange storage of the box because I was returning on the same route (otherwise this would be a big point against a hard box).
Size - beware that many of these boxes are big enough to take a competition machine, but are a bit more difficult for a touring frame that tends to be longer. It can also be a right faff taking off handlebars, mudguards, carrier and probably bottle cages - and on one occasion when I had no time to sit and juggle the bits, I even took off the chainset.
I loaned my box to club mates so that others could use it, and after about 5 years I sold it one to take his carbon fibre exotica to training camps in the Med. If I were to fly away on tour these days I would use the very stout plastic bike bag (not the CTC type) that I have had since the early 90s, still requires removal of lots of parts. I have used a CTC type bag, big polythene bag to take entire bike, and that was ok and of course easier if returning home from a different location since it folds up quite small.
1990s I travelled frequently for work and often took a bike with me, so a box was useful.
Early 2000s, I flew a couple of times a year at most, all for domestic or touring purposes. I was able to arrange storage of the box because I was returning on the same route (otherwise this would be a big point against a hard box).
Size - beware that many of these boxes are big enough to take a competition machine, but are a bit more difficult for a touring frame that tends to be longer. It can also be a right faff taking off handlebars, mudguards, carrier and probably bottle cages - and on one occasion when I had no time to sit and juggle the bits, I even took off the chainset.
I loaned my box to club mates so that others could use it, and after about 5 years I sold it one to take his carbon fibre exotica to training camps in the Med. If I were to fly away on tour these days I would use the very stout plastic bike bag (not the CTC type) that I have had since the early 90s, still requires removal of lots of parts. I have used a CTC type bag, big polythene bag to take entire bike, and that was ok and of course easier if returning home from a different location since it folds up quite small.
Re: Is a bike case a worthy investment?
All good points by tatantab.
Maybe OP can say what he wants the box for (flying, long distance, touring, etc).
Nonetheless my immediate opinion is not worth it unless very expensive/delicate bike and regularly doing same out and back. Plus many of these boxes are heavy (10kgs+) which will greatly increase your overall baggage weight.
Maybe OP can say what he wants the box for (flying, long distance, touring, etc).
Nonetheless my immediate opinion is not worth it unless very expensive/delicate bike and regularly doing same out and back. Plus many of these boxes are heavy (10kgs+) which will greatly increase your overall baggage weight.
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rareposter
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Re: Is a bike case a worthy investment?
Probably 10-12 years ago, I got a BikeBoxAlan which was being sold off very cheap from a transport organisation. It was so cheap it would have been insane to ignore it! Since then it's done dozens of flights (not all mine, I've lent it to friends sometimes as well).
Like this:
Pros:
It's bombproof. Solid plastic with a good internal brace. Never had any damage from using it.
Easy to wheel around airports.
Lockable and secure but easy to access if required for checks (ie you don't need to undo layers of tape!)
You always have it - there's no issues trying to find/collect a bike box from a shop.
Can fit in other stuff (clothing, helmet etc) around the bike*
Cons:
It's a big, bulky thing to store or to transport - requires an estate car and it's a right pain wheeling it anywhere that's not a smooth airport concourse!
It's an older model, designed when road bikes had 23c tyres and "regular" (ie not integrated) bars, stem etc so packing newer bikes is a bit more convoluted. It does work but it's not perfect, Newer boxes have been redesigned to accommodate wider tyres, disc rotors etc.
If you're packing a mountain bike, it'll quickly go well above weight limit. Never been a problem on my road bikes but with clothing, helmet, shoes etc in it, it'll be near 32kg, even with a lightweight carbon road bike.
Not ideal for point to point tours unless you're having all your luggage transported. However it works perfectly for holidays centred in one location.
*Yes, I'm aware that some airlines say not to do this, the reality is it's never once been checked or commented on...
You can hire them as well - if you're not sure you'll use it that often they offer reasonable weekly hire rates:
https://bikeboxalan.com/hire/?v=79cba1185463
Like this:
Pros:
It's bombproof. Solid plastic with a good internal brace. Never had any damage from using it.
Easy to wheel around airports.
Lockable and secure but easy to access if required for checks (ie you don't need to undo layers of tape!)
You always have it - there's no issues trying to find/collect a bike box from a shop.
Can fit in other stuff (clothing, helmet etc) around the bike*
Cons:
It's a big, bulky thing to store or to transport - requires an estate car and it's a right pain wheeling it anywhere that's not a smooth airport concourse!
It's an older model, designed when road bikes had 23c tyres and "regular" (ie not integrated) bars, stem etc so packing newer bikes is a bit more convoluted. It does work but it's not perfect, Newer boxes have been redesigned to accommodate wider tyres, disc rotors etc.
If you're packing a mountain bike, it'll quickly go well above weight limit. Never been a problem on my road bikes but with clothing, helmet, shoes etc in it, it'll be near 32kg, even with a lightweight carbon road bike.
Not ideal for point to point tours unless you're having all your luggage transported. However it works perfectly for holidays centred in one location.
*Yes, I'm aware that some airlines say not to do this, the reality is it's never once been checked or commented on...
You can hire them as well - if you're not sure you'll use it that often they offer reasonable weekly hire rates:
https://bikeboxalan.com/hire/?v=79cba1185463
Re: Is a bike case a worthy investment?
We've two bike bags. Both bought second hand via Gumtree or Facebook marketplace. Both £50-£70 each secondhand.
One is a ChainReactionCycles own brand 'pro' case, one an Evoc 'Enduro' case.
The CRC case is better, and cheaper when new.
They aren't as protective as a hard case. However they work well. The CRC case has many straps and foam blocks, axle bars and velcro areas. We added a few lengths of pipe lagging and some more velcro (as it's reusable and secure), particularly to the Evoc. It's straightforward if slow to get them packed up real secure.
With a mountain bike in they weigh in at under 16-19kgs, and most airlines are 25kg or 30kg. So we stuff tools, bags, clothing etc in there. We can do a week with bike bag and cabin bag easily. It's top heavy, but easy to trundle around with them full. They are a pain with any steps or buses etc as they overbalance easily.
We've never had damage in them - but the outsides are dirty, marked and abraded. They have done what they are designed for.
We fold them up and tape in a big plastic bag for storage in the shed.
We've a few friends with them, who also use them and 'hire' for a suitable beer or wine token.
One downside - unless you have a big car, they are hard to get to the airport....so take public transport.
Another downside is what to do with them if you tour - we've a few friends who stay at a hotel on day 1 and again same hotel last night, and they are happy to store the bags.
One is a ChainReactionCycles own brand 'pro' case, one an Evoc 'Enduro' case.
The CRC case is better, and cheaper when new.
They aren't as protective as a hard case. However they work well. The CRC case has many straps and foam blocks, axle bars and velcro areas. We added a few lengths of pipe lagging and some more velcro (as it's reusable and secure), particularly to the Evoc. It's straightforward if slow to get them packed up real secure.
With a mountain bike in they weigh in at under 16-19kgs, and most airlines are 25kg or 30kg. So we stuff tools, bags, clothing etc in there. We can do a week with bike bag and cabin bag easily. It's top heavy, but easy to trundle around with them full. They are a pain with any steps or buses etc as they overbalance easily.
We've never had damage in them - but the outsides are dirty, marked and abraded. They have done what they are designed for.
We fold them up and tape in a big plastic bag for storage in the shed.
We've a few friends with them, who also use them and 'hire' for a suitable beer or wine token.
One downside - unless you have a big car, they are hard to get to the airport....so take public transport.
Another downside is what to do with them if you tour - we've a few friends who stay at a hotel on day 1 and again same hotel last night, and they are happy to store the bags.