Bike box / bag recommendation & advice

Andy Magic

Hi,

I'm going on a cycling trip in November and I intend to bring my good bike. I currently don't have a bike bag or box but I am thinking of buying one or possibly renting.

Any tips or advice on how to make sure my bike is ok? Are bags as good as boxes if you put more padding or clothes in? I have a weight limit of 30kg so I'm planning on putting the bike and clothes together.

Thanks in advance.

triggermortis

I've a large bag that I've used a couple of times with no hassle at all. The bike needs slight dismantling before fitting, but nothing major - wheels off, pedals off and bars turned.
I packed the rear mech in bubble wrap and secured it to the frame with zip ties and padded out the frame with towels / clothes etc to give as much protection as possible.
If you want to borrow it, you'd be welcome to as I'm not planning on using it again until the summer and I'm also in NCD.

Andy Magic

triggermortis wrote: »

I've a large bag that I've used a couple of times with no hassle at all. The bike needs slight dismantling before fitting, but nothing major - wheels off, pedals off and bars turned.
I packed the rear mech in bubble wrap and secured it to the frame with zip ties and padded out the frame with towels / clothes etc to give as much protection as possible.
If you want to borrow it, you'd be welcome to as I'm not planning on using it again until the summer and I'm also in NCD.

Wow thank you, that would be very generous of you. Do you mind me asking what bag it is? Just so I know if it's big enough to fit everything. Thanks

barryf42

i have a scicon aero 2 bag- you take off wheels and place drops on frame and pack wheels in at side - a cover goes over the rear derailleur -- no need to move or adjust handlebars etc. i take off the pedals as a precaution - i use for mallorca every year and pack some clothes and other stuff in bag - i only use the bag - april - August- so like previous post, if you want to borrow - no problem - i am based in wexford- but work from dublin 1-2 days a week i.e. clonshaugh - city or dundrum etc - let me know if you want lend of and can arrange. cheers

cdaly_

If you're taking wheels off, wedge a bit of wood between the dropouts so they don't get crushed.

Last time I brought my bike by air I just turned bars and pedals and wrapped it in clear plastic.

07Lapierre

cdaly_ wrote: »

If you're taking wheels off, wedge a bit of wood between the dropouts so they don't get crushed.

Last time I brought my bike by air I just turned bars and pedals and wrapped it in clear plastic.

A bit of wood? No use this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/bbb-chaingrip-tool-btl50/rp-prod29802

cdaly_

Well yes but it won't do the forks.

07Lapierre

cdaly_ wrote: »

Well yes but it won't do the forks.

this one will..

https://bbbcycling.com/en/accessories/workshop-tools/BTL-49

triggermortis

Andy Magic wrote: »

Wow thank you, that would be very generous of you. Do you mind me asking what bag it is? Just so I know if it's big enough to fit everything. Thanks

It's an older version of this bag:

http://http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/chain-reaction-cycles-complete-bike-wheel-bags-crc-logo/rp-prod106851

different colour, but same size. There are lots of internal pockets for kit, tools etc and two separate wheel bags. There are wheels on one end for dragging it as well.
Give me a shout if you want to have a look at it

Andy Magic

triggermortis wrote: »

It's an older version of this bag:

http://http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/chain-reaction-cycles-complete-bike-wheel-bags-crc-logo/rp-prod106851

different colour, but same size. There are lots of internal pockets for kit, tools etc and two separate wheel bags. There are wheels on one end for dragging it as well.
Give me a shout if you want to have a look at it

Excellent, thanks so much, I will be in touch nearer to November

Andy Magic

barryf42 wrote: »

i have a scicon aero 2 bag- you take off wheels and place drops on frame and pack wheels in at side - a cover goes over the rear derailleur -- no need to move or adjust handlebars etc. i take off the pedals as a precaution - i use for mallorca every year and pack some clothes and other stuff in bag - i only use the bag - april - August- so like previous post, if you want to borrow - no problem - i am based in wexford- but work from dublin 1-2 days a week i.e. clonshaugh - city or dundrum etc - let me know if you want lend of and can arrange. cheers

Thanks Barry appreciate that. After a quick google of this bag I can see it has built in fork grips?

barryf42

Andy Magic wrote: »

Thanks Barry appreciate that. After a quick google of this bag I can see it has built in fork grips?

Yes Andy- just drop frame onto it and tighten up - i put a protector over rear deraileaur also

Andy Magic

barryf42 wrote: »

Yes Andy- just drop frame onto it and tighten up - i put a protector over rear deraileaur also

Excellent, I will be in touch nearer the time if that's ok. Thanks again

wer*

I have used FitzCycles for bike bag rental for trips to Roubaix and Flanders and I was very happy with the service and prices (not connected with anyone in the shop). First time round it was an Evoc bag and this was prettty good but second time round it was the SciCon AeroComfort 3.0 and this bag was brilliant. Really quick to pack and unpack and the bike was very well protected. It also required minimal disassembly which means you dont have to worry about getting your set-up restored to the way you want it after unpacking the bike. FitzCycles had a dedicated site at http://bikebagrentals.ie/ with the details