Bike box or bag?

I recently flew back from Spain and my BBA looked like it had been run over by something.
Everything in the box was a right state, with most most velcro straps well loose.
No damage to the frame but it was certainly given a very rough ride.

Yep, that looks like the one I have. I think I read recently they've brought out a new improved version too. I rate the bag and it's always served me well, travelling to the other side of the world and back twice, as well as various other trips closer to home.

I bought a Scicon hard case last year and don't regret it. It was a toss-up between that and an Alan, but a discount code from ProBikeKit swung it for the Scicon. I'd hired the Polaris hard case before that, and wouldn't particularly recommend it. The rings which you hang the frame from a weak as - one bent out in transit, meaning my hanger got bent. yaaay. Did learn to over-protect that part of the bike next time I flew, at least.

I read about that too - the 'pro' version or something. Is probably more aero and comes in high-viz colours. It's around 50% more dosh from what i recall. Did you get one of those frame things I referred to above?

N0, I don't have the frame. Looks good though.

Where did you get hold of the alloy brace? They're quite hard to track down, think they're discontinued

Tru fact. If anyone finds a good supplier - I'd be interested.

When using a cardboard box does anyone use wheel bags? I kind of feel like the spokes are going to be the most vulnerable part of the package.

Sorry, only just seen this - the alloy frame replaces a couple of blocks of foam that you lash the bike too with velcro straps.

With the frame you fit the bike on using the QR's, then shove it in the bag.

Concerning about Norwegian - I'm flying with them shortly, with the bike.

http://www.norwegian.com/uk/customer-services/travel-information/baggage-/oversized-baggage-/

It's poorly written in some ways, I'll call them to check that "rigid/reinforced padded-fabric case" is allowed.

I've just flown with Norwegian to the Canaries out on the 4th and back on the 13th May. They accepted the bikes absolutely fine on the way out, didn't even ask or check. Just used the app to check in at Gatwick and was directed to the oversized luggage area and handed the bags over.

On the way back it was a bit more complicated. The bags were booked as luggage as the Areus bags are well under the maximum suitcase size. However, at Gran Canaria there's a check in desk with a human on the way back who was more concerned that I hadn't paid the extra money for the bikes compared to the standard suitcase price. In the end they let me check the bikes in, after a couple of phone calls and a printed out sheet with their own regulations.

They didn't care whether my bikes were in hard or soft cases. They were far more concerned on the way back that I'd paid the right amount.

budget of around £250 for a bike bag/box.

Im thinking I need a hard case as my caad10 has very thin alu tubing and I would be worried about it getting crushed.. but the weight saving on a bag would mean I have more weight to play with adding extra padding etc. I think I have a limit of 23kg.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/b-w-bike-box/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&utm_content=B%20&%20W%20Bike%20Box%20-%20Black%20%7C%20Hard%20Bike%20Bags&kpid=5360436442&sku=5360436442&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360436442uk&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=sFPebXpwc_dc%7cpcrid%7c%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7c%7cprd%7c5360436442uk&dest=1&curr=GBP&referid=affwin&utm_source=affiliate-window&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=road.cc

Bike box: 13kg
Bike:8kg

21kg

leaving 2kg for kit & clothes + hand luggage. (going away for 4 days so not long)

thoughts?

If you're flying with easyjet, then I have some good news for you. The weight of sports equipment went up from 23kg to 32kg.

nah, flying SAS to sweden

Thats a heavy case. I'd look for something soft with a zip closure and use pipe lagging if you're worried about damage. When I was shopping around, all the cheaper hard cases didn't have great reviews for their closure systems as its a big surface area with lots of flex.

yeah I read the same about shitty closures on cheap cases as well..

will a bit of pipe lagging protect it if it's at the bottom of a big pile of baggage? am I worrying too much?

I've travelled lots with bikes, I've taken carbon, steel and titanium frames with no issues at all.

If you've ever seen baggage loaded onto planes, they're put onto pallets/cages (smaller for budget EU flights and quite big for transatlantic) which are usually about four cases deep. They try to pack as much into a pallet/cage as possible, and since most suitcases are regular shapes and your bike bag isn't, it'll go separately. It also certainly won't go at the bottom, as it'll have been checked in oversized baggage anyway and will be last to go on with the other sports equipment like golf bags etc.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, took my bike around the world using a Ground Effect Tardis, with pipe lagging and cable ties, and had no horror stories..
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product/BAG/TAR

or this australian version
http://www.bogear.com.au/packs/travel/royd-bike-bag

That's reassuring, my bike is now packed up securely in the Evoc.

Annoyingly low weight limit - 25kg.

Anyway - did you check in online then go straight to the oversized luggage area?

I'm keen not to get stuck in queues if possible, so would like to check in online now, then go straight to the oversized baggage, but guess I might have to go to the standard checkin first?

Checked-in online with the Norwegian Air app, and at Gatwick South just went to the kiosks to collect the boarding tickets. The staff there just sent us right over to oversized baggage. No waiting at all.

I bought this box in Dec 13... only used it three times, unless you count staring at it, reminiscing over the stickers and dreaming of more trips. My friends always rent boxes and I don't have the space so should have done the same. Pretty good box - don't need to remove stem, just loosen bars and twist. I can't be bothered to remove the rear derailleur and have got away with that so far.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/scicon-aerotech-evolution-tsa-hardshell-bike-case

They don't on Easyjet, at least not from Stansted or Luton. It all gets man-handled item-by-item on and off the plane. I've seen the process being done a few times, and on each occasion I've been glad I've been using an Alans Bike Box.

Got my evoc bag

quick test to see how it all packed away (very easy). All you have to do is remove handlebars and wheels.. thats it. Bit disappointed you have to buy a road fork adaptor separately though, hope that arrives in time.

In the instructional illustration the box thing that the bb rests on is flat against against the chainstays, not sure if it is because my frame is small or it is better suited to MTB geo but it is nowhere near the chainstays so I put some towels under.

The bag is a claimed 8.6kg but came to 18kg with bike inside it and a couple of towels. My bike is 7.5kg. Think the bag must weigh nearer 10kg or my scales are wrong.

Going to put pipe lagging all around the frame and pack it with clothes and bubblewrap.

What is best to do with the rear derailleur? remove it? What are those things called that go in the dropouts that protect the forks and rear triangle from being crushed ?

n.b seatpost will be dropped.

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more importantly has anyone travelled on the tube with a bike bag??

After wrapping the chain stay with lagging, use cable ties to secure chain to chain ring and along chain stay. It's good to keep chain secure on big ring so the teeth don't cut anything. I wrap the RD with bubble wrap and then duct tape.

Any yes to dragging an Evoc on the tube. It's a PIA, but quite doable.