Best list of bicycle bags and bicycle cases
Air travel with your own bike is no picnic. The additional baggage is often very expensive and the risk of loss or damage is always present given the not particularly delicate handling of flight baggage. At least the latter can be counteracted with appropriately good packaging.
The selection of different bags and suitcases for air transport is larger than ever and anyone dealing with the subject for the first time can easily lose track. We took a closer look at seven bags and suitcases and summarized our test results in our best list of bicycle cases and bags.
bag or suitcase? It really depends!
The first question that probably arises is what is the best way to construct the luggage. In addition to the classic hard-shell suitcases, there are also more and more bags to buy. Our first instinct tells us: the expensive two-wheeler is better protected in a hard case. However, that is only partly true - modern bags have clever protective systems made of foam, struts or even air cushions that reliably protect the contents. Of course, if someone steps on the piece of luggage with their full weight, a suitcase always has advantages over a bag that simply gives way.
Bicycle bags also have some advantages that should not be underestimated: they usually weigh significantly less. This not only makes handling easier, but with heavier bikes (e.g. fullies) you still have a little more room for improvement, even with strict weight limits. For example, there are almost 10kg between our lightest Rose bag and the heaviest Thule case. Another issue is durability. The hard surface of the suitcases will inevitably suffer after a few flights. As long as this is only limited to the optics, it may still be tolerable, but at the latest when cracks appear or locking mechanisms give up the ghost, the expensive case is due for the bin. Bags tend to take the rough treatment a little better. If you don't have unlimited space in your own four walls, you will also appreciate the easier storage of the bags.
Does my bike fit in suitcase or bag XY?
Next crucial question: Does my bike fit exactly in a specific suitcase or bag? This can often only be estimated. While most bags offer enough space for large racing bikes, it can get a bit cramped with large mountain bikes. If in doubt, the only thing that will help is to ask the manufacturer for the exact dimensions of the bike. You should also find out whether the case has the appropriate mounting options for the axle size used on the bike. For example, the frame in the version of the Evoc Bike Bag that we tested only allowed axles to be attached with quick releases.
What did we notice?
The handling and structure of our tested suitcases and bags were sometimes very different. From innovative concepts such as the air cushion padding of the biknd bag to very reduced approaches such as the Rose bag.
We were surprised that the stowage of the bike itself was quite quick and intuitive in most cases. Quite a lot has happened here in recent years, but that was by no means always the case. We didn't want to do without a fixed frame to fix the frame in the bag or suitcase. This makes packing extremely easy, and it also tends to protect the frame and fork a little better than just lashing them down inside.