When we are going to do any trip, the best way to carry all our clothes and necessities is to do it in a suitcase. Not only do they offer us all the space we may need, but they also tend to protect well what they carry inside. Sometimes, what we need to take with us is something bigger, so there are some specials where we can put bikes. In this article we will tell you all the secrets so that you have no doubts if you are looking for one bicycle suitcase.
This suitcase built in «Shoftshell» is a good option if we are looking for something with good value for money. It does not have a rigid outer part, so its best use is for personal trips or in vehicles where we know that it will not be abused.
It has a maximum wheelbase of about 116 centimeters, but it is compatible with slightly smaller bikes. Another interesting point about this suitcase is that it weighs just under 8kg, which does not make it the lightest suitcase on the market, but it is an option with a relatively low weight if we take into account what it offers.
Thule Round Transit
If you are a demanding user and want to protect your bike in the best way, you are interested in something like the Round Transit from Thule. To begin with, the outer part is made of a hard plastic material, which ensures that it can take a hit and the bike will not receive any damage. To continue, the opening / closing systems of the suitcase are designed to be comfortable, fast and efficient. An interesting point about this suitcase is that includes a mounting bracket which will make riding the bike more comfortable.
If the above is not enough, you also have to know that the package includes nylon bags to protect the wheels. And, speaking of wheels, it also has some on the outside to facilitate the transport of the suitcase. The bikes that we can put in this suitcase can reach up to 116.8cm between axles. Of course, it must be taken into account that this proposal has a weight of almost 18kg.
Scicon Travel Basic
If what you are interested in is something rather cheap and that allows you to keep all the parts of the bike in the same bag, what you are interested in is something like the Scicon Travel Basic. The «Basic» means that it is basic, and is that this bicycle case is of the most basic thing you will find.
Basically, worth the redundancy, it is a bag made of soft plastic materials and that has a dimensions of 130x25x82, which means that we can fit bikes with wheelbases of up to 116cm, which is the standard in this type of suitcase. You are also interested in this suitcase if you are looking for something light, since weighs only 1kg.
Buds-Sports - Bicycle bag
One of the most interesting bicycle cases, without reaching the most expensive with a rigid outer part, is this bicycle bag from Buds Ultimate Bag. It is a bag with all necessary compartments so that both the frame, the wheels and the rest of the parts are perfectly fixed.
The company emphasizes that this bag it will allow us to maintain the height of the saddle, something important if we want to be sure that we are going to maintain this setting that cyclists like to modify so little. In this case, everything will be well protected, from the wheels to the transmission, including the fork.
Evoc Bicycle Travel Bag
Another interesting bicycle case that does not have a rigid outer part is this one from Evoc. It has a very studied design designed to fit all types of wheels, including the largest, it is packed with reinforcements and it is easy to handle, which contributes to its large wheels to drag the suitcase.
This suitcase from Evoc includes a high flexible protective cover and a department to put a label with our name. In it we can put 29-inch wheels.
What is a bicycle suitcase
Like those of trips in which we usually put clothes, there are suitcases special designed to transport our bike. This means that, after taking a few previous steps, we can put our bike on them, taking up less space than it would if we took it with nothing. In addition, some have wheels so that we can drag them more easily and others have compartments so that we can also put some accessories.
In which cases is it necessary to use a suitcase to transport the bike?
A bicycle bag will be necessary whenever we want take our bike by plane. Logically, we will never be able to check it in as hand luggage and we will not be able to put it in a suitcase for clothes, so we will have to use a special suitcase. If we buy it made of a hard material, we will also be protecting it from the possible blows that it may receive during its handling during the trip. We can say the same if we are going to make a long train trip, that is, that it is not a commuter one in which we can travel on foot and, in addition, they allow us.
It is also likely that we will need a suitcase for the bike if we are going to move to another house. Logically, it will depend on the distance of the journey and other factors, but what is not worth it is to put the bike in a truck without any type of protection. And the same can be said if we are going to take a trip by car, since it will take up less space and it will also be protected. In the latter case and depending on our use and needs, we can also consider buying a bicycle rack, but this is another topic that should be discussed in another article.
How to choose a bicycle case
Fabrication material
The material in which a suitcase is made can be more or less important depending on where we are going to transport it. If we are going to take it in a car, where we are sure that there will be little movement and there will be no danger, we can choose one of those that are made with some metal inside and soft plastic materials outside. This type of suitcases remind us more of bags than suitcases, with the difference that in these "bags" we are going to put our bike and not our clothes and toiletry bags.
Now, not on all trips we will control our luggage. If we are going to travel by plane and we do not know how they will treat it, the best thing is a harder suitcase with hard plastic or light metal on the outside. The idea is that the possible blows do not damage our bike. In short, a bike bag is a lot like any other normal bag. We can choose some softer and others harder, but we have to bear in mind that a bike should receive less blows than clothing, so it is worth it to be better protected.
Protection
Speaking of protection, bike bags have to meet some requirements. The first thing is inside: most bicycle cases have inside metal components in which we can fit the bike, whether the outer part is soft or hard. This internal structure may be enough to protect our bike, but we can also choose a harder case that protects the bike from the outside as well. As we have already mentioned, if we want to take our bike on a plane, it is worth choosing a harder (and more expensive) suitcase to avoid any bad drink.
Weight :
The weight of a suitcase can be important, once again, depending on where we are going to take it. If we are going to take her straight from home to the car, it is probably not important. However, if we have to carry it a long distance "on the back", it may be a good idea to take into account the weight of the suitcase. With the latter in mind, another good idea may be to buy a have some wheels that they facilitate their transport to us.
It may be no less important to choose a light suitcase if we are going to take it on a plane, but for another reason. At the time of checking in a suitcase, the company could charge us more or less depending on its weight and buying a very heavy bicycle bag could translate into a higher expense every time we want to make a trip that requires flying. Ideally, buy a suitcase with the necessary balance: heavier and with more protection in some cases or lighter and less reinforced for others.
Dimensions
The dimensions of a bicycle case is one of those characteristics that does not seem to be important at first, but it can be in reality. In general, the dimensions of a bicycle case will have the volume of the bicycle slightly disassembled and packed in the case, to which a outside of the suitcase which should be larger if the chosen material is a rigid one. In general, the standard total size of a bicycle bag is around 130cm long.
The best advice to help us decide which dimensions are correct for a bicycle case is to look at where are we going to take her. It is useless to buy a very small suitcase to carry in the trunk of a car if it does not fit in it and we will end up carrying it on the roof rack. On the other hand, if we see two very similar and one of them will fit us, it may be a good idea to buy the suitcase with smaller dimensions. Of course, as long as our bike fits inside.
How the bike is positioned
Like everything in this life, or at least in many cases, it depends. How the bike will be placed in a bicycle case will depend on the bike, but we are talking about items that are designed to take up little space. Taking this into account, in all cases we will have to place the bike disassembled. What It will depend on the suitcase is the degree of disassembly and the position in which we will put the frame and the rest of the components.
In general, and as you can see in the image above these lines, the most common is that we have to remove wheels, saddle, stem / handlebar and let's reposition everything so that the frame will stay in the central part, the handlebar will be turned so that it is straight, or disassembled and placed in another position, and the wheels will go to the sides. It goes without saying that the bike does not have to be disassembled as much as when it comes in a box after purchase, but it does remind a bit of this moment.
Compatibility with different types of bicycle
As any cyclist should know, there are different types of sports or modalities that can be practiced on a bike. At a minimum, there are three: road biking, off-road biking, and mountain biking. Each type of bike has a design, so a suitcase that is designed to carry only a bike with 26 ″ wheels might not fit a 29 ″ bike, for instance. If we have more than one bike and we want to be able to take one or the other on a trip, it is worth buying a suitcase compatible with both. Or with more, if we have them.
In the same way that happens with bicycle rollers and the size of the wheels, before buying a bicycle case we have to make sure that we will be able to put our bike in it. Also, and as we have mentioned, we have to make sure that we can fit a second bike, if we have one and it is possible that we want to take this second bike with us on a specific trip. There are bike cases that have moving parts, which can be adjusted so that we can put and fix various designs for bicycles inside. If we have more than one bike, this is a point that we must take into account.
Steps to follow to store the bike in a suitcase
This does not have a unique system and once again we must say that the steps will depend on the suitcase chosen. The suitcase will probably have instructions that will indicate the proper way to put the bike inside. But, if this is not the case, one option is to search San YouTube for an explanatory video. If we can't find it, we have to do it ourselves using our imagination, but more or less we should follow these steps:
First we remove the saddle. It may be a good idea to write down or mark the height point where we had it.
We do the same with the handlebar: we mark the points and disassemble it.
If we have shoe brakes, we open them and remove the wheels. It may be a good idea to loosen the derailleur at the rear so it doesn't get hit.
We remove the pedals. We remember that the pedals always loosen towards the rear of the bike. Another way of saying it is that, by getting behind, we push down.
We open the suitcase.
We put the box in the center or at the bottom, that is, where we would put the clothes in a normal suitcase.
Next, we put the rest of the components, among which the wheels stand out. Most likely, it is easy to guess where to put them: in some cases, the suitcases have a circular pattern. In others, we have to put them on the top, held with straps.
We also have to put the handlebars and the saddle. If it is not necessary and the suitcase allows us to leave the handlebar only turned, then we leave it that way.
Finally, carefully to ensure that we do not force anything, we close the suitcase and travel.
Best bicycle luggage brands
Evoc
Evoc is a company specialized in manufacturing and selling, above all, equipment to transport. In its catalog we find backpacks, bike tool bags and bicycle cases, all with good value for money.
Thule
Thule is a Swedish company famous for designing, producing and selling motor vehicle equipment and other types of accessories for non-motorized vehicles, such as bikes. In its catalog we find several systems to transport bikes, such as the best bike rack To transport them by car or some suitcases for bikes in which we can put our two-wheeled vehicles when we go on a trip.
scicon
Scicon is a company specialized in bicycle accessories. In its catalog we find items ranging from sportswear (jerseys, shorts, etc.), through saddles, sunglasses and bicycle cases. As for the suitcases, they have many types, but those made of hard material stand out, which ensure that our bike will arrive at its destination in perfect condition.
Decathlon
Decathlon is a very famous French company. Much of his fame is due to their stores, some establishments where we can buy all kinds of sports equipment. In their catalog we can find articles that carry their own brand, and among them we have bicycle cases whose main attraction, as in most of what they offer, is their low price.
