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.
Testing: Test: Thule RoundTrip Transition
Test: The Swedish manufacturer Thule should be known to cyclists and cyclists primarily for its numerous bike carriers for cars and caravans, which are among the best on the market. However, the fact that Thule also has other bicycle products in its range, such as the RoundTrip Transition bike case tested here, is less well known. Quite wrongly, as our test [...]
Testing: Test: B&W bike guard curve
Test: The B&W bike guard curv wants to combine the advantages of bike cases and panniers with an innovative choice of materials and a minimalist design. After initial skepticism, the concept finally convinced us - if it weren't for the price. B&W is definitely one of the top dogs in the rather small niche of bicycle cases and bags. The […]
Testing: Test: Evoc Travel Bag
Test: The Evoc Travel Bag is one of the evergreens among bicycle bags and a familiar sight at the airports of most cycling strongholds around the world. The design and orientation was the inspiration for many other bags and due to this success it is largely unchanged in the latest version. The Evoc Bike Travel Bag gives […]
Testing: Test: PRO bike travel case Mega
Test: As the name suggests, the PRO bike travel case Mega offers plenty of space for trips by bike. The bike bag can convince with a robust frame on which you can easily mount the bike. Even the wobbly wheels can't change much in a positive conclusion. From the beginning […]
Testing: Test: ROSE bike bag
Review: When you're at the airport on your way to training camp and take a look around, the ROSE Bike Bag is one of the most popular models among cyclists. This is certainly not only because this model comes from B&W and is therefore available from both "manufacturers," but also due to its simple design and the […]
Testing: Test: Scott Premium Bike Transport Bag 2.0
Test: Initially, the Scott Premium Bike Transport Bag 2.0 made a promising impression on us, as it looks very high-quality and offers plenty of space and versatility. Unfortunately, the overall rather user-unfriendly handling significantly dampened our enthusiasm. Before you can even begin assembling the bike, you first have to get the Scott Premium Bike Transport Bag 2.0 ready for use. […]
Testing: Test: biknd Helium V4
Review: The biknd Helium V4 was one of the most exciting models in our test. It not only looks different from the other bags and cases, but the entire concept is innovative and completely new to us. Of course, we also wondered what the "Helium" part was all about, but more on that later […]