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Flying with soft shelled bike cases
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 2014-03-23 9:56 AM |
Master  2094  |  Subject: Flying with soft shelled bike casesI have been looking at bike cases. I have used Hard shell cases in the past but have seen people use soft shelled cases that really look convienient. Are there many horror stories with soft shelled cases or is it a viable option? |
| 2014-03-23 10:04 AM in reply to: pschriver |
Pro 5892    , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Soft shell bike cases are primarily to protect the bike from scratches, and to keep oil/dirt inside of the case when in a car. The padding offer a little protection, but I would not consider that enough for the way the bike is handled at an airport… or being shipped like that for that matter. Also, insurance companies may question if the bike was package correctly if you're unlucky and it's damaged. The claim may be denied... I would not trust my bike to a soft-shell case. |
| 2014-03-23 10:07 AM in reply to: pschriver |
Master 1402 Cumming, Georgia | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases I used a soft case when I did IM Cozumel and didn't have any issues. I was really nervous but it was fine. I just packed it carefully and used bubble wrap like crazy. The danger with a soft case is if they stack stuff on top of it. I also heard rumor that airlines may not cover damage unless it's a hard case. In the end I'm not sure the money saved on a soft case is worth the risk. |
| 2014-03-23 2:07 PM in reply to: pschriver |
Master 2855 Kailua, Hawaii | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases I switched to a soft case years ago, and have traveled to many races with it...no problems. Went all over Australia ! There are many kinds of soft cases these days, the one I have is Aerus. You might consider finding one with wheels. I do take precautions by putting pipe insulation on the major sections of the frame. Some nice features about soft cases over hard cases: - easier to get through TSA checks - lighter and easier to carry - storing the case takes less space - less likely to exceed the 50lb limit |
| 2014-03-23 2:35 PM in reply to: metafizx |
Elite 7783 PEI, Canada | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases I have an Aerus Biospeed bag as well and have travelled twice with it and had no issues. It's a heck of a lot easier to get around with it than a hard shell case! The hard shell case I travelled with didn't fit well in a taxi but no trouble getting the soft shell bag in the trunk of a taxi. |
| 2014-03-23 3:31 PM in reply to: axteraa |
Veteran 930 Morgan Hill, California | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases I used a soft sided case until my bike got damaged flying to a race in Boise. There were two bikes in soft cases, including mine, and the damage looked just like a pedal had pressed into the bottom bracket area of my bike. I did see that my bike and the other were stacked on top of each other. After that I switched to a hard case. |
| 2014-03-23 5:16 PM in reply to: kmac1346 |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases We just sent some kids out to Az. Two of them had Rooster soft cases.....no bike fees, just check as a regular bag. No issues at all. Some shipped bikes via FedEx in hard cases.....no issues there either except logistics. On another note....due to a snafu Jr. had to bring his bike back on US Air in a hard case instead of FedEx ship like we did out there. TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS one way. I will refrain from saying what I'd like to say in case NSA is watching..........but really.....I have bad thoughts. |
| 2014-03-23 5:49 PM in reply to: Left Brain |
Master 2094 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Thanks for all of the info. I saw the Rooster bags and noticed they also now have a hardshell that is supposed to avoid the oversize charge. I'm a little worried about squeezing a 61" tri-bike into it. |
| 2014-03-23 5:55 PM in reply to: pschriver |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by pschriver Thanks for all of the info. I saw the Rooster bags and noticed they also now have a hardshell that is supposed to avoid the oversize charge. I'm a little worried about squeezing a 61" tri-bike into it. If you aren't comfortable dismantling your bike, including taking the fork off, then it's not for you. (the collective you) |
| 2014-03-23 6:41 PM in reply to: axteraa |
Master 3205 ann arbor, michigan | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by axteraa I have an Aerus Biospeed bag as well and have travelled twice with it and had no issues. It's a heck of a lot easier to get around with it than a hard shell case! The hard shell case I travelled with didn't fit well in a taxi but no trouble getting the soft shell bag in the trunk of a taxi. I use this same case on the rec of DCRainmaker (well worth it to go to his blog and read why he picked this bag). I have flown with it six times without an issue. Bonus, I have yet to pay a bike fee when checking it. I put a piece of thick cardboard on the inside of the bag between the bike and the bag. I also do not pack anything loose inside of the bag that could move around and damage the frame. Lots of Velcro, pipe insulation and careful packing. |
| 2014-03-23 6:48 PM in reply to: wannabefaster |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by wannabefaster Originally posted by axteraa I use this same case on the rec of DCRainmaker (well worth it to go to his blog and read why he picked this bag). I have flown with it six times without an issue. Bonus, I have yet to pay a bike fee when checking it. I put a piece of thick cardboard on the inside of the bag between the bike and the bag. I also do not pack anything loose inside of the bag that could move around and damage the frame. Lots of Velcro, pipe insulation and careful packing. I have an Aerus Biospeed bag as well and have travelled twice with it and had no issues. It's a heck of a lot easier to get around with it than a hard shell case! The hard shell case I travelled with didn't fit well in a taxi but no trouble getting the soft shell bag in the trunk of a taxi. To me, that has always been a vote against soft side bags. I just don't want to spend that amount of time packing/unpacking. We have 2 Sherpa boxes....and we just take the pedals, seat, and handle bars off and throw it in there. It takes probably less than 10 minutes for us to pack/unpack our bikes we've done it so many times. BUT.......now that the airlines have decided that flying bikes is a gold mine, I'm rethinking all of it. Shipping works well, but as I found out on this trip....it can have logistical problems and it's expensive as hell when that happens. I've not looked into the bag you mention, but I will now. |
| 2014-03-23 6:54 PM in reply to: Left Brain |
Elite 7783 PEI, Canada | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by Left Brain I've not looked into the bag you mention, but I will now. They don't sell them anymore but apparently this is the same thing (and it looks like it). http://www.swiftcarbon.com/gear/ochrana-bike-pack/
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| 2014-03-23 8:11 PM in reply to: Left Brain |
Master 2094 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases I have no problem with pulling off the fork, seat, and handlebars and pedals. Especially if it saves me $400 every round trip. |
| 2014-03-23 8:12 PM in reply to: Left Brain |
Master 3205 ann arbor, michigan | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by Left Brain Originally posted by wannabefaster Originally posted by axteraa I use this same case on the rec of DCRainmaker (well worth it to go to his blog and read why he picked this bag). I have flown with it six times without an issue. Bonus, I have yet to pay a bike fee when checking it. I put a piece of thick cardboard on the inside of the bag between the bike and the bag. I also do not pack anything loose inside of the bag that could move around and damage the frame. Lots of Velcro, pipe insulation and careful packing. I have an Aerus Biospeed bag as well and have travelled twice with it and had no issues. It's a heck of a lot easier to get around with it than a hard shell case! The hard shell case I travelled with didn't fit well in a taxi but no trouble getting the soft shell bag in the trunk of a taxi. To me, that has always been a vote against soft side bags. I just don't want to spend that amount of time packing/unpacking. We have 2 Sherpa boxes....and we just take the pedals, seat, and handle bars off and throw it in there. It takes probably less than 10 minutes for us to pack/unpack our bikes we've done it so many times. BUT.......now that the airlines have decided that flying bikes is a gold mine, I'm rethinking all of it. Shipping works well, but as I found out on this trip....it can have logistical problems and it's expensive as hell when that happens. I've not looked into the bag you mention, but I will now. I honestly don't think it will take you much longer with the soft sided bag. The first time I packed it, I took hours to get everything perfectly positioned. The last time I packed it to fly home I think it took me under 15 minutes. Of course I forgot to take off my CO2 canisters and got dinged at TSA check in. |
| 2014-03-23 8:18 PM in reply to: Left Brain |
Master 2855 Kailua, Hawaii | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by Left Brain BUT.......now that the airlines have decided that flying bikes is a gold mine, I'm rethinking all of it. Shipping works well, but as I found out on this trip....it can have logistical problems and it's expensive as hell when that happens. I've not looked into the bag you mention, but I will now. unfortunately, other than the initial couple of trips with the soft case (bought in early 2011), I have always been charged for the Aerus soft bag. They got wise pretty fast. perhaps you might get lucky still, but hasn't worked that way for me. however the "Hen House" bag might actually prevent the bike fees. I've not tried it. since it conforms to the 62 inch requirement for normal baggage. Although it will incur a add'l bag fee (wheels and frame are separate) At $500 it's about $200 more than the Aerus bag. http://www.rustersports.com/hen-house.html |
| 2014-03-23 8:25 PM in reply to: metafizx |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by metafizx Originally posted by Left Brain unfortunately, other than the initial couple of trips with the soft case (bought in early 2011), I have always been charged for the Aerus soft bag. They got wise pretty fast. perhaps you might get lucky still, but hasn't worked that way for me. however the "Hen House" bag might actually prevent the bike fees. I've not tried it. since it conforms to the 62 inch requirement for normal baggage. Although it will incur a add'l bag fee (wheels and frame are separate) At $500 it's about $200 more than the Aerus bag. http://www.rustersports.com/hen-house.htmlBUT.......now that the airlines have decided that flying bikes is a gold mine, I'm rethinking all of it. Shipping works well, but as I found out on this trip....it can have logistical problems and it's expensive as hell when that happens. I've not looked into the bag you mention, but I will now. Yep, that's the bag I was talking about.....2 kids flew it the past week.....no fees. |
| 2014-03-23 8:26 PM in reply to: metafizx |
Master 3205 ann arbor, michigan | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by metafizx Originally posted by Left Brain BUT.......now that the airlines have decided that flying bikes is a gold mine, I'm rethinking all of it. Shipping works well, but as I found out on this trip....it can have logistical problems and it's expensive as hell when that happens. I've not looked into the bag you mention, but I will now. unfortunately, other than the initial couple of trips with the soft case (bought in early 2011), I have always been charged for the Aerus soft bag. They got wise pretty fast. perhaps you might get lucky still, but hasn't worked that way for me. however the "Hen House" bag might actually prevent the bike fees. I've not tried it. since it conforms to the 62 inch requirement for normal baggage. Although it will incur a add'l bag fee (wheels and frame are separate) At $500 it's about $200 more than the Aerus bag. http://www.rustersports.com/hen-house.html Maybe you have already been there but the DCRainmaker blog describes in step by step detail how to get the bike on without fees. I follow his directions to the letter each time and have yet to pay. I know I will get dinged one day but it will be cost-averaged over the multiple flights I have not paid. And to those who feel that I am cheating the system somehow, I would argue that the system is broken. Objects the same size and heavier than my bike get on without anything more than an extra bag fee but the fact that it is a bike makes the airlines see dollar signs. I feel no guilt  And I typically have a pretty high guilt level. |
| 2014-03-23 8:27 PM in reply to: 0 |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by wannabefaster Originally posted by Left Brain I honestly don't think it will take you much longer with the soft sided bag. The first time I packed it, I took hours to get everything perfectly positioned. The last time I packed it to fly home I think it took me under 15 minutes. Of course I forgot to take off my CO2 canisters and got dinged at TSA check in. Originally posted by wannabefaster Originally posted by axteraa I use this same case on the rec of DCRainmaker (well worth it to go to his blog and read why he picked this bag). I have flown with it six times without an issue. Bonus, I have yet to pay a bike fee when checking it. I put a piece of thick cardboard on the inside of the bag between the bike and the bag. I also do not pack anything loose inside of the bag that could move around and damage the frame. Lots of Velcro, pipe insulation and careful packing. I have an Aerus Biospeed bag as well and have travelled twice with it and had no issues. It's a heck of a lot easier to get around with it than a hard shell case! The hard shell case I travelled with didn't fit well in a taxi but no trouble getting the soft shell bag in the trunk of a taxi. To me, that has always been a vote against soft side bags. I just don't want to spend that amount of time packing/unpacking. We have 2 Sherpa boxes....and we just take the pedals, seat, and handle bars off and throw it in there. It takes probably less than 10 minutes for us to pack/unpack our bikes we've done it so many times. BUT.......now that the airlines have decided that flying bikes is a gold mine, I'm rethinking all of it. Shipping works well, but as I found out on this trip....it can have logistical problems and it's expensive as hell when that happens. I've not looked into the bag you mention, but I will now. Interesting flight yesterday.....we don't think TSA opened the case. Jr. had duct taped over the latches because we thought it was going fedex. The duct tape was as he placed it, nothing was moved inside, and no TSA card inside. Edited by Left Brain 2014-03-23 8:52 PM |
| 2014-03-24 1:46 AM in reply to: pschriver |
| Master 5557 , California | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by pschriver Thanks for all of the info. I saw the Rooster bags and noticed they also now have a hardshell that is supposed to avoid the oversize charge. I'm a little worried about squeezing a 61" tri-bike into it. Yeah just note that the hardshell one costs more, and weighs 22lb versus 9 for the soft one. But then again, it has wheels which is a lot nicer. |
| 2014-03-24 6:57 AM in reply to: pschriver |
Extreme Veteran 5722 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by pschriver I have been looking at bike cases. I have used Hard shell cases in the past but have seen people use soft shelled cases that really look convienient. Are there many horror stories with soft shelled cases or is it a viable option? I use the biknd helium. http://biknd.com/en/ It's lighter than a hard case but I believe it provides equal protection when properly inflated. Once arrived at destination, it folds into a pretty small package. I can rent a compact or sump compact without any problems It's rolls around like a hard case It does get checked in like a hard case, but there are never overweight surcharges because it is quite light. I have used it about 10x and it's been great. |
| 2014-03-24 8:05 AM in reply to: marcag |
Veteran 2842 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by marcag Originally posted by pschriver I have been looking at bike cases. I have used Hard shell cases in the past but have seen people use soft shelled cases that really look convienient. Are there many horror stories with soft shelled cases or is it a viable option? I use the biknd helium. http://biknd.com/en/It's lighter than a hard case but I believe it provides equal protection when properly inflated. Once arrived at destination, it folds into a pretty small package. I can rent a compact or sump compact without any problems It's rolls around like a hard case It does get checked in like a hard case, but there are never overweight surcharges because it is quite light. I have used it about 10x and it's been great. Have to say, that looks pretty sweet. Noob question - how hard is it to take off and re-install the rear derailleur? Matt |
| 2014-03-24 8:07 AM in reply to: mcmanusclan5 |
Extreme Veteran 5722 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by mcmanusclan5 Noob question - how hard is it to take off and re-install the rear derailleur? Matt Trivial. Allen Key, 10 seconds. |
| 2014-03-24 9:38 AM in reply to: marcag |
Master 2094 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases I ended up going for this: http://www.swiftcarbon.com/gear/ochrana-bike-pack/ My frame has already made one trip to Calfee so if it destroyed I will have a good excuse to get a new frame anyway. |
| 2014-03-24 9:46 AM in reply to: pschriver |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by pschriver I ended up going for this: http://www.swiftcarbon.com/gear/ochrana-bike-pack/My frame has already made one trip to Calfee so if it destroyed I will have a good excuse to get a new frame anyway. So.....is it small enough to avoid bike fees and check as regular luggage? If so, and you don't mind, can you take a picture of your bike in the case while you're packing it? |
| 2014-03-24 11:42 AM in reply to: mcmanusclan5 |
Extreme Veteran 1986 Cypress, TX | Subject: RE: Flying with soft shelled bike cases Originally posted by mcmanusclan5 Originally posted by marcag Originally posted by pschriver I have been looking at bike cases. I have used Hard shell cases in the past but have seen people use soft shelled cases that really look convienient. Are there many horror stories with soft shelled cases or is it a viable option? I use the biknd helium. http://biknd.com/en/It's lighter than a hard case but I believe it provides equal protection when properly inflated. Once arrived at destination, it folds into a pretty small package. I can rent a compact or sump compact without any problems It's rolls around like a hard case It does get checked in like a hard case, but there are never overweight surcharges because it is quite light. I have used it about 10x and it's been great. Have to say, that looks pretty sweet. Noob question - how hard is it to take off and re-install the rear derailleur? Matt Shameless self promotion but I just put a Biknd Helium case for sale on the Slowtwitch classifieds. Never been used. |
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