BIKE BAGS AND BOXES

Choosing the right case for bike travel is important if you want it to arrive in one piece

Travelling with your bike can be a stress-inducing experience, but you can reduce the worry by boxing or bagging your bike. Which option is best for you? We find out

There’s nothing like the feeling of anguish when you hand over your pride and joy at the airport and see it disappear into the unknown, so choosing the right bike bag or box can make a real difference. More of us than ever are travelling with our bikes whether it’s for a holiday, training camp or to a race, and it shouldn’t be that difficult as long as you do your research when choosing which airline to travel with and how to transport your bike.

Just because an airline charges to take a bike it’s no guarantee your ride will be cared for as you might hope. Some don’t have a separate bike allowance but will let you take it as part of your luggage allowance, and some charge by the kilo so explore your options.

A bike case is an invaluable piece of equipment for any travelling cyclist. There’s no perfect answer as to which is best because they all have their trade-offs, so it’s important to weigh up your needs before you buy.

Hard cases offer the ultimate in protection but they are heavier and bulkier than bags. This in turn limits what you can put in the box, especially with airlines reducing weight limits in recent years. It’s also worth checking that your bike will fit in before you buy, especially if it’s large or has a seatmast rather than removable seatpost.

Soft bags have improved enormously and offer better protection than ever before, but they are still less robust than a hard case. Bottom line, they do have the advantage of being lighter, which allows you to put more items in – tools, shoes, nutrition and the like – which can save on baggage weight elsewhere. Soft bags tend to be smaller too, and require more spanner work – but they are easier to fit in a car. It may also be handled with more care by airport staff, but this is never a guarantee.

We’ve tested a variety of options to help give you peace of mind.

1 HANDLES Handles can make a huge difference to transporting your bike. One handle might work well for pulling your bike along while others make lifting easier. It’s a small addition that can make a big difference. 4 PORTABILITY When you have a week’s...