Bike Bags & Case Review and Guide
1. Which bike bag or bicycle case is right for me?
2. Will the bag or case suit different styles of bikes?
3. Instruction Guide for Packing Your Bike.
1. Which bike bag or bicycle case is right for me?
Plain bike bags have no padding, do not support themselves and offer no protection except against scratches. They are great for local car, bus or train travel; when taking a bike onboard may be inconvenient because of the mess or size. They are easy to carry and the bag takes up minimal room.
A padded bike bag would be the absolute minimum we advise for air travel. Though to do this we would recommend the use of plenty of extra padding, such as clothing or foam sheets, and/or the insertion of large cardboard sheets in the sides. A padded bicycle bag offers scratch and impact protection but do not stand upright easily. Their big advantage over a solid bike case is that they fold down into a small parcel for storage when not in use. Thus making it very useful for constant travel with your bike when room is a big consideration.
An ABS bike case is hard, solid and highly impact resistant. Due to this impact resistance and ruggednes, ABS material is used in the production of protective helmets, canoes, luggage and even Lego bricks! If absolute protection is required - it is hard to get a superior solution. Weight maybe the only downside. An ABS bicycle case is about 13kg against about 7 kg for its EVA counterpart.
EVA bike cases are a popular choice for air travel. EVA expanded foam rubber is used in a wide variety of padding applications such as boxing, skiing and wakeboard boots. In a stiffer version it makes lightweight but strong luggage. An EVA bike box is light ( about 7kg), solid, and provide excellent protection against impact. You would need to use a sharp object like a screwdriver to be able to cut into a bike case made with EVA. So whilst not as absolutely rugged as an ABS case, it provides solid protection at a lighter weight.
2. Will the bag or case suit different styles of bikes?
ROAD BIKES:
Soft Bags, Padded Bags, EVA & ABS Cases - all YES
Road bikes upto size 60 will fit into all styles of our bags and cases. With a larger size you may need to remove the seatpost and/or handlebar.
Road with Integrated Seat Post:
A big investment warrants the cost of an EVA or ABS hard case. Upto size 54 frame with integrated seatpost will fit into a standard size case,
but for larger frames an Oversize EVA Bike Case is required.
Quick Packing Guide
- Remove the pedals
- Loosen handlebars and roll them down 90° in their clamp
- Remove the wheels and secure them into the wheel recesses, wheel bags or a suitable position.
CROSS COUNTRY MOUNTAIN BIKES:
Soft Bags, Padded Bags, EVA & ABS Cases - all YES
On larger frames you may need to remove the derailleur and or handlebar.
Quick Packing Guide
- Remove pedals
- Remove the handlebars from their clamp so they can be placed loosely in the case
- Remove the rear derailluer
- Remove the wheels and secure them into the wheel recesses ,wheel bags or a suitable position.
LONG TRAVEL MOUNTAIN BIKES:
Generally fit into all of our bags and cases. Larger frames definitely require the removal of forks, and quite oftern derailleur and/or handlebars.
Quick Packing Guide
- Remove pedals
- You will most probably have to either shorten your forks travel or remove the forks
- Remove the handlebars from their clamp so they can be placed loosely in the case
- Remove the rear derailluer
- Remove the wheels and secure them into the wheel recesses, wheel bags or a suitable position.
NOTE FOR 29er’s
Definately larger frames and dualies will require an Oversize EVA Bike Case for the easiest fit.
A large framed Dual Suspension 29er can be made to fit a standard size bag or case but ....
- If you have a large framed bike you will need to pretty much strip bike back to bare frame
- For best fit, we’d recommend no larger than medium bikes unless you’re particularly mechanically inclined
- Remove pedals, handlebars, wheels, rear derailleur and seat post
BMX BIKES:
Easily fit into all of our bags and cases.
Quick Packing Guide
- Remove pedals
- Remove the handlebars from their clamp so they can be placed loosely in the case or bag
- Remove the wheels
Please note that it is impossible to know if each and every model and size of bike will fit. However.......
3. Instruction Guide for Packing Your Bike
Quick Guides for your style of bike are described above. Further guidance and tips are provided below.
Basic Packing Method:
Remove wheels, handlebar and pedals. In an EVA pod place rear wheel into deepest insert, place front wheel in other. Place frame on other side, with fork at highest end, turn handlebar sideways to fit. A picture showing a packed bike is shown on the product pages for both EVA and ABS bike cases as they vary slightly in packing method.
Total Protection Method
In addition to above you can:
* wrap the frame tube with pipe lagging or similar to prevent scratching
* wrap front cogset
* remove and wrap rear derailleur
* place a divider rod in the rear axle and front forks
* remove and remove seatpost
* use sheets of foam or clothing for extra padding
* for extra protection for your wheels pack in single wheels bags.
|
