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Travelling without your bike can be an unfulfilling experience if you spend a lot of time on it and especially if the place where you are going has the perfect conditions for cycling. But like packing your clothes for the holiday, you can also do the same with your bicycle with a travel bag or soft case. Yes, there are soft cases and bags that allow you to fit in a whole bike, however, you’ll need to disassemble it in order to pack it. Apart from that, you’ll also need to consider the following details.
Padding
In order to avoid getting the parts scratched when inside, make sure you get a bag that has padding in places like the wheel bags but you can also pad various parts on your own to provide extra protection. Whilst a travel bag for bikes provides this you can still pad parts like your new skewers or bike tools with pipe insulation and you can even pad the pedals too.
Brakes
The mechanism of your brakes is also a determining factor and while there are only two types, quick release and thru-axles, each fitment is different. This is because for each brake mechanism the design of the bike frame is different at the dropout and if you want to use bikes with different brakes in the same bag you’ll want to get one that makes use of an adaptor.
The Size of Your Bike
If you have a standard 56 cm road bike with a regular seat you’ll be able to fit it in most bags, but if your bike has a larger frame, an integrated seat post or a full suspension you will need to extend your search. The size of your travel bag is also important as for example if you get a hard case it can sometimes be a storage issue, couple that together with a bigger bicycle and you will definitely need to leave without it.
Airport Allowance
If you are going to travel by air, make sure to check the airline’s weight limitations and luggage size restrictions before you purchase a travel bag or the tickets. You can also check if a certain airline offers free bicycle transport or if you have to book your flight in advance and if that’s the case, how far in advance you have to do so. Usually, a travel bag for bikes will weigh around 8-12kg bit this will vary depending on the type of bike you have. Also, make sure that the soft case or bag you are getting is TSA compliant as not every single one is going to be – this is listed in the product description and some come with built-in TSA locks.
The Bicycle’s Type
Travel bags that come with certain compartments are likely to accommodate most types of bicycles while others are made to fit a specific type of bike like a mountain or a TT bike. This will also determine the shape and size of the bag as not every bicycle comes with the same handlebars, wheel diameter & size or wheel hub width.
Disassembling
Usually, you’ll need to remove parts like the seat post, pedals, handlebars, rear derailleurs and obviously the wheels but if you are not sure how to disassemble your bike you can always go with a bigger bag that will fit the bike with pedals, handlebars and seat on it. The wheels always need to come off no matter what type of bag you get. Usually, the bigger the bag, the less disassembling you’ll need to do and vice versa. If you are good with the wrench disassembling and reassembling your bicycle, this part won’t be a problem so I’d recommend you go with a smaller bag so you can save on money and space.
Extra Space
If you want to bring an extra set of tools or maybe your helmet and other protective gear on your trip, make sure you look for a travel bag for bikes with a larger holder packed with additional compartments. In case you don’t really need to bring extra gear, you’ll be able to opt for a lighter and smaller bag.
Handle
Sturdy handles and a removable shoulder strap is what you need to carry your bag comfortably and to have that guaranteed, make sure the handles on the side of the bag or soft case will give you enough grip so you can pass through tight spaces more easily. Having both a set of handles and a shoulder strap will allow you to distribute the weight more evenly.
Wheels
While usually wheels are present on hard cases others made out of softer materials also have them, make sure they can be removed in case they get damaged. But to protect the wheels from getting damaged easily you should go with a bag that has recessed wheels also, like the handles, having wheels made from a sturdy material is also a plus.
