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Choosing the right bike box or bag

Choosing the right case for bike travel is important if you want it to arrive in one piece. There’s always some anguish when you hand over your pride and joy at the airport and see it disappear into the unknown, so having faith in your choice of box or bag can make a difference.

More of us than ever are travelling with bikes, whether it’s for a holiday, training camp or a race, and it shouldn’t be 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.

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

Things to consider when choosing a bike box

1. Handles

Handles can make a huge difference to transporting your bike. One handle might work well for pulling it along, while others make lifting easier. It’s a small addition that can make a big difference.

2. Hard cases

These are made from tough plastic or aluminium. They’re the most robust, offering good protection. The trade-off is that they’re usually heavier and more cumbersome than soft cases.

3. Soft bags

These are made from soft, hard-wearing fabric and usually feature added padding and hard bases for extra protection. They’re lighter, which makes it easier to hit airline weight limits.

4. Portability

When you have a week’s worth of luggage, your bike bag or box needs to be as portable as possible. Wheels are a must, and having at least two that steer is helpful. Drag handles make life easier too.

5. Size

Make sure the box will fit in your car or hire car, and check airline size restrictions. Not all bike boxes are easy to carry, but if yours is, it might mean it’s less likely to be dropped by airport staff.

6. Supports and crush poles

Crush poles, made from aluminium or carbon, are used in the centre of a hard case to avoid crushing your frame and components. Supports in soft bags help to keep their shape.

6 tips and tricks for boxing a bike

1. Deflate your tyres

Most airlines require you to deflate your tyres because of potential changes in pressure that could cause them to go bang. They don’t need to be pancake flat, but it’s worth reducing air just in case. Some airlines check, some don’t.

If you carry CO2 inflator cartridges, check your airline’s policy – some allow them in limited quantities, while others won’t take them at all.

2. Know your setup

The last thing you want to be worrying about is whether your mountain bike or road bike is set up the same as before you left. A piece of electrical tape around the seatpost before you remove it will mean you get the same saddle height.

Use a marker pen or take a photo before removing the bars so you know how many spacers you need above and below the stem.

3. Make the most of your box

Whatever your choice of bike box, it’s worth making the most of the space and weight available. Your bike box is the perfect place for packing tools, a track pump, cycling shoes and nutrition products.

Remember, these can get thrown around during transport, so pack smartly for damage limitation, especially if you have a carbon bike. Clothes can also be packed for added protection in soft bags.

4. Protect it

Foam lagging (used by plumbers to insulate pipes) is cheap and ideal for wrapping around your bike’s tubes for added protection during transportation. Alternatively, some quality bubble wrap or similar will help keep your bike safe and shiny. Also, both will avoid scuff marks from securing straps or other things floating around in your box. If you’re in a rush and don’t have either, an old T-shirt should do.

5. What to remove

All the bike boxes here require the removal of wheels, which is easy. Some also require removing pedals, bar and stem, saddle and seatpost, and derailleur.

When packing, it’s important to make sure the items you’ve removed are protected and secure, so as not to do damage to them or other parts. Be considerate when it comes to any cables, (electronic or not), making sure to avoid any kinks or stretching.

6. Use baby wipes

A pack of baby wipes is a useful item to have in your bike box. They’re brilliant at removing any dirt and grease from your hands after working on your bike, and equally good for cleaning your bike if the need arises.