With air travels, I often hear horror stories and seen videos where the baggage handlers treat the bike bag just like another suitcase.
One of the primary concerns most cyclists have is whether their bike makes it out from transit safely. The first thing I’d do when I pick up my bike bag at the airport is to do a quick inspection before leaving the airport.
Packing your bike in a cardboard bike box provides very little protection, and you risk it getting damaged during transit.
It’s worthwhile to invest in a bike bag, and even more importantly, know how to pack your bike correctly. No bike bag is 100% damage-proof but at least they do offer wy more protection compared to a cardboard bike box especially if the bike costs thousands.
On this page, I’ll discuss the difference between bike bags and share some of the popular ones used by cyclists to travel.
A Quick Glance : Our Favorite Bike Bags and Cases
Soft Shell Bike Bag : Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0
“One of the lightest and easiest to pack bike bags.”
Hard Shell Bike Case : B&W Bike Box 2
“Value for money for a hard shell in terms of price vs the amount of protection.”
Soft Shell Bike Travel Bags
Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0
- Type of Bike : Road
- Compatibility : Quick Release, Thru Axle
- To Remove : Wheelset
- Weight : 8 kg
Scicon is arguably the most popular bike bag brand today.
It’s used by 7 out of 18 World Tour pro cycling teams in 2018 which includes the likes of Bora-Hansgrohe, Mitchelton-Scott, Bahrain-Medida, AG2R La Mondiale, and Quick-Step Floors.
The Aerocomfort 3.0 is the improved version of the very popular 2.0 version. Scicon has made several improvements based on customer feedback. The 3 most significant improvements are the addition of the thru-axles compatibility, new wheels system which was prone to breaking previously, and a reinforced internal bike mount.
It’s still without a doubt the lightest bike travel bag in the market today.
At only 8 kg, it’s even lighter than its already lightweight predecessor. With the bike packed inside, you’re definitely way below the 20 kg allowance that most airlines impose.
The thing I really liked about the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 is the ease of packing and the minimal disassembly required. I’d say most first-timers would probably need less than 10 minutes to have their bike securely packed and ready to go.
- Pros : One of the lightest and easiest to pack bike bags.
- Cons : Smaller base can be unstable and prone to tilt over.
Evoc Bike Travel Bag
- Type of Bike : Road, TT, CX, MTB
- Compatibility : Quick Release, Thru Axle
- To Remove : Wheelset, Handlebars, Saddle, Seatpost
- Weight : 9.1 kg
Evoc is a German brand well-known for its outdoor and travel bags. This Evoc bag is among their most popular products in their lineup. The unique feature about the Evoc Bike Bag is its one bag fits all concept. The same bag can fit all bike types from road to time trial, cyclocross, and mountain bikes.
Evoc uses an interchangeable internal bike stand to mount bikes. Each type of bike would require a different type of stand due to its shape and design. If you’re buying this bag for your road bikes, make sure you remember to get the bike stand!
Packing wise, the Evoc Bike Travel Bag requires a bit more work by removing the pedals, seat posts, twisting the handlebars sideways, and removing the standard wheel.
The good thing with such removal is the bag packs down into a compact size, which makes the baggage handlers’ work easier. I bet you wouldn’t want an aggressive baggage handler handling your bags, don’t you?
- Pros : Fits all types of bikes.
- Cons : Outer layers are not as durable as advertised.
Thule Roundtrip Pro XT
- Type of Bike : Road
- Compatibility : Quick Release, Thru Axle
- To Remove : Wheelset, Handlebars, Saddle, Seatpost
- Weight : 8.6 kg
Thule is a Swedish company well known for its travel products. This mid-level bike bag has an internal bike mount that doubles up as a work stand, which will make assembling and disassembling your bike quick and easy.
Most road bikes will fit comfortably into the Thule Roundtrip Pro XT bag unless you’re riding anything above size 60, and it includes an adapter for thru-axles. It has a separate wheelset compartment so that your wheelset doesn’t come into contact with your bike frame.
The two roller wheels make it a snap to pull your bag wherever you need to go.
- Pros : Internal bike mount can double up as a temporary workstand.
- Cons : Soft case doesn’t provide 100% protection against rough baggage handlers.
Biknd Helium V4
- Type of Bike : Road, TT, CX, MTB
- Compatibility : Quick Release, Thru Axle
- To Remove : Wheelset, Handlebars, Saddle, Seatpost
- Weight : 9.0 kg
Biknd is a Canadian brand that is all about developing innovative bike bags. In fact, their first product is the Helium bike bag which is now in its 4th version, hence the V4.
What makes the Biknd Helium V4 special is the unique way the protection mechanism is implemented. It uses inflatable airbags that strategically placed at both sides of the bag.
Packing the bike would require some disassembly work by removing the wheels, pedals, seat posts and twisting the handlebars sideways. To make packing easier, both the side and front panels can be opened completely.
Now if you’re traveling with 2 sets of wheels, you’re in luck because the bag can fit all of them. Unlike other bags where you keep one wheel on each side panel, the Biknd Helium V4 can hold 2 wheels on each side.
- Pros : One of the best protection for a soft case.
- Cons : Costs more than the average soft case.
Hard Shell Bike Cases
B&W Bike Box 2
- Type of Bike : Road, TT, CX, MTB
- Compatibility : Quick Release, Thru Axle
- To Remove : Wheelset, Handlebars, Saddle, Seatpost
- Weight : 11.5 kg
B&W is a German brand that has been making innovative outdoor bags since 1998. The Bike Box 2 is the successor to their original Bike Box and has won the prestigious 2018 German Design Award.
The B&W Bike Box 2 is among the lightest available. At almost 12 kg, you’ll most likely fall under the 20kg weight allowance most airlines allow.
However, take note that even though it can fit almost all types of bikes, you’d go above the allowable weight allowance should you fit a mountain bike, which is generally heavier than a road bike.
Packing is made easier with the two shells of the bag coming apart into 2 separate left and right. Once you’ve the bike disassembled, there are internal straps that hold it in place, and extra protection is achieved via the additional foam layers provided.
There’s no dedicated wheels storage compartment. B&W provides 2 separate wheel bags which are also placed inside the bag when you close it.
- Pros : Most value for money for a hard case.
- Cons : Smaller bag design means more to be removed when packing.
Thule Roundtrip Transition
- Type of Bike : Road, TT, CX, MTB
- Compatibility : Quick Release, Thru Axle
- To Remove : Wheelset, Handlebars, Saddle, Seatpost
- Weight : 12.0 kg
The Thule Roundtrip Transition is the hardshell equivalent of the Roundtrip Pro XT. In fact, it’s Thule’s top-level and most secure bike case.
It has a sturdy aluminum base and when combined with a strong ABS shell, it provides excellent protection to your bikes.
You can pack your road bike, TT, CX, or mountain bike with this bag, making it very versatile.
As a bonus, thru-axle adapters for 15mm and 20mm axles are included besides the standard quick release.
The unique thing about the Thule Roundtrip Transition bike case is the internal mounting stand can double up as a mobile work stand, making assembly/disassembly and maintenance easier when you’re traveling.
- Pros : Very high-quality build from a reputable brand.
- Cons : Heavier than the average hard case.
Scicon Aerotech Evolution X
- Type of Bike : Road, TT, CX, MTB
- Compatibility : Quick Release, Thru Axle
- To Remove : Wheelset, Handlebars, Saddle, Seatpost
- Weight : 11.0 kg
The Scicon Aerotech Evolution has been around for 10 years now and the 3.0 is Scicon’s latest version which was released in late 2017. The major improvement made in this version is adding the thru-axles compatibility.
Without a doubt, the Aerotech Evolution is Scicon’s one of the most secure bike travel cases out there. With premium pricing, Scicon has ensured no corners are cut. The bag has been thoroughly tested to ensure maximum protection for your bike.
The hard shell is made of very durable and hardened plastic, or what Scicon likes to call, thermoplastic. Internally, there is padding everywhere for your bike frame and straps strategically located to hold them in place. It would require some additional work to pack your bike into the bag.
Unlike the Aerocomfort 3.0 where only the wheels are removed, you’ll need to remove pedals, seat posts and twist the handlebars in addition to that.
You probably notice by now that most hardshell cases are bulky and heavy. While it’s still bulky (the shape and size remains), Scicon has managed to bring down the weight by 1 kg compared to its predecessor by using newer and more advanced materials.
At 11 kg, the Scicon Aerotech Evolution 3.0 is among the lightest bike case available.
- Pros : One of the lightest hard cases around and offers a very high level of protection.
- Cons : Be prepared to pay more.
BuxomBox Ventoux
- Type of Bike : Road
- Compatibility : Quick Release, Thru Axle
- To Remove : Wheelset, Handlebars, Saddle, Seatpost
- Weight : 11.0 kg
BuxomBox is a small, UK-based company that specializes in bike boxes. In fact, bike boxes are their only product available.
The Ventoux Road is arguably the best one around when it comes to maximum protection. Its entire construction is top quality. With that, it also comes with a premium price tag. You’ve been warned.
For starters, the BuxomBox is made entirely from aluminum. It’s the same 6061 aluminum that’s used to make high-end aluminum race bikes. Not only do they look really good, but they’re also very durable and impact-resistant.
There are 3 sizes for you to choose from, depending on your bike size. Besides, you can also choose whether to support quick release, through-axle, or both.
With 4 handles, 2 at the top and 2 at the sides, you can maneuver the bag around the airport with ease. The 2 fixed and 2 caster wheels make things even easier.
- Pros : Good looking, lightweight, and maximum protection.
- Cons : Packing can be a chore for first-time users.
Bike Travel Cases Buying Guide
1. Type of Bikes
This is the most important thing to consider when buying a bike bag or box.
The type of bike you’re planning to travel with will determine the bag’s shape and dimension and the box you’ll need.
Some newer ones like the Evoc Bike Bag, Buxom Box Ventoux, and Thule Roundtrip Transition can fit all bike types.
While it’s obvious that the bike frame of a road, cyclocross (CX), time trial (TT), and mountain bike look different, there are more to that.
Among other differences are the handlebar’s shape, wheel hub width, and wheel size and diameter.
Geek Tip : Some bike travel cases are bike-specific, whether it’s for road, TT or mountain bike. Make sure you’re buying the right variant.
2. Quick Release vs Thru Axles
Today there are 2 types of braking systems for road bikes.
Traditionally, all road bikes use caliper brakes but disc brakes are getting popular recently for their better braking capabilities especially in the wet.
The mechanism used to attach the wheels to the bike is different between these two.
- Quick Release. The QR was invented by Tullio Campagnolo and has been around for more than 90 years. It’s a wheel locking mechanism found in all road bikes with caliper brakes.
- Thru Axles. The TA was first introduced in mountain bikes in the ’90s. Today, it’s used in all disc brakes road bikes. The axle needs to be pulled out completely to remove the wheels.
Why is this important?
The bike frame has a different design at the dropouts to accommodate either Quick Release or Thru Axles. And so does the bike bag to fit the different dropouts especially if they have an internal mounting stand.
Geek Tip : Newer travel cases are compatible with both quick release (caliper brakes) and thru axles (disc brakes) through an adaptor.
3. Ease of Packing
You’ll need to do some disassembling to pack your bike. You’ll need some of the common bike tools such as hex and torx wrenches.
The amount of disassembly needed depends on the bike travel case, but in general, this isn’t too hard to accomplish. If in doubt, you can always check out YouTube.
All bike travel cases are designed to fit bikes without the wheels, so no matter the make or model, you should expect that removal of the wheels will be necessary.
Some travel cases like the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 require minimal disassembly, while all bike boxes require quite a number of components to be removed prior to packing.
Generally, the list below needs to be removed :
- Wheels
- Pedals
- Seatpost
- Handlebars
- Rear Derailleur
Geek Tip : How good you’re with the wrench is an important factor when it comes to choosing a bike bag or box that suits your needs.
4. Airline Weight Allowance
If you’re planning to fly with your bike, weight can be an important consideration. Most airlines have a check-in baggage weight allowance between 20 to 30 kg.
Bike boxes weigh more (anywhere between 12 to 18 kg) due to the hard and solid materials used.
On the other hand, bike bags weigh less, between 8 to 12kg, and can be carried more easily when you’re on the move.
Depending on your bike’s weight, you’ll probably end up with around 16 to 25kg baggage check-in weight.
Bike Bags vs Bike Cases : Which is Better?
You’ll often see cyclists pack their bikes either in a bike bag or a bike case. So you’d probably be wondering;
Which one is better to transport for you?
Bike bag or bike case?
- Bike Case is the harder version and provides the most protection for your bike and is very durable. They’re made from tough materials like thermoplastics. It’s also sometimes referred to as a hard case or hard shell.
- Bike Bag is the softer version that typically has internal structures to maintain the bag’s shape and protect your bike. The soft outer sides are made from nylon or canvas which could be vulnerable to tears over time. Some refer to it as soft shellbags.
| Features | Bike Bags (Soft Shell) | Bike Cases (Hard Shell) |
|---|---|---|
| Level of Protection | Medium | Very High |
| Durability | Prone to Tears | Very Durable |
| Overall Weight | Light (8 to 11 kg) | Heavy (11 to 14 kg) |
| Ease of Packing | Easy | Harder |
| Pricing | Cheaper | Can be Expensive |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which bike bag can fit my road, TT, and mountain bikes?
I understand that some of us have a few bikes and the bike we travel with depends on the type of riding we’re going to do.
In this situation, I recommend you consider a bike bag that is one size fits all. Generally, these bike bags don’t have internal mounts which limits your choice of bikes.
Have a look at the Biknd Helium V4 or the B&W International Bike Box 2.
2. How do I provide additional protection to my bike on top of what’s provided by the bike bag or box?
There are several ways to do this. You can either,
- Buy additional foam paddings and wrap them around the top tube, down tube, seat stays, and fork.
- Use a cable tie to tie the chain to the chainring to avoid it from falling off.
- Remove the rear derailleur if it gets in the way.
3. What is the lightest bike bag and box available today?
Many cyclists concur that the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 is the lightest bike bag today. At only 8 kg, you’ll have plenty of weight allowance left to pack your bike.
For the bike box, you can choose from either the Scicon Aerotech 3.0 or the B&W International Bike Box 2.
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