The best bike bags, bike boxes and travel cases for bikes are ✨i🐭ncredibly well-designed these days.
Many cyclists travel abroad with their bikes for holidays or to compete. This means flying with your bike, which can be a daunting proposition. Most of us have heard horror stories of riders opening their bike bag to find a damaged bike inside after a flight. Choosing the right bike bag, rigid travel case or box will ensure your bike is protected and 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:make your journey easier, meaning you can relax and enjoy your trip.
Another thing you might want to consider while 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:travelling with your bike is an insurance option. Even with one of the best bike bags things do occasionally happen. We have a list of the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best bike insurance options, some of൲ which cover your bike even when travelling, so if the unthinkable happens and your bike doesn't arrive in one piece, you'll want to have insurance in place to help e🉐ase the blow.
We have flown with many of the bike bags in this guide so that we can properly review packing procedures and durability on a flight. Our favourite bike bag is the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:Evoc Road Bike Bag Pro due✅ to its internal structure and easy🐭 packing procedure, but there are plenty of other options worth considering. Please keep reading to see our pick of the best bike travel cases plus advice on how to choose the best bike travel case for your needs.
Recent updates
Last updated on 07th January 2025
Refreshed the guide with an updated intro and product descriptions to ensure all the information is curr🐻ent and correct. Reformated and added more detail to the "How to choose" and "FAQ" sections to give more detail and improve readability.
Best b✤ike bags, travel cases and boxes: quick list
Internal structure with protective plastics where necessary
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Sturdy handles
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Easy packing procedure
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Packs down for storage
Reasons to avoid
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Expensive compared to other premium options
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Fixed-direction rear wheels mean manoeuvrability is reduced
The Road Bike Bag Pro pairs a soft lower and hardcase upper to offer protection without being too heavy. It includes an aluminium tray inside that attaches to the axles of the bike inside the bag, holding it secure 🌠and out of harm's way when in transit. This can double up as a workstand too, if you remove the pedals.
I found packing to be a straightforward process with only the pedals and wheels needing to come off, although some riders might 🐠need to lower their saddles too. Then the frame is secured with a range of Velcro straps and purpose-built padding. The wheels go into individual wheel bags and there is a padded section to protect the handlebars.
There's plenty of space to fill with kit, which doubles u🦂p as extra protection. I stored tools and pedals in the internal pockets for tools and pedals to stop them from moving around and causing damage. An external pocket for the front wheel, which can be remov🥂ed to prevent damage in transit.
𓆉Two fixed rear wheels and the front trolly wheel make manoeuvring the loaded bag pretty easy, although the single front wheel can have a habit of tipping the over if pulled in the wrong direction. Evoc has added plenty of handles to help move the bag around.
If you want to see how easy it is to pack a bike into the Evoc Road Bike Bag check 🍃out our Instagram reel for for proof.
Metal derailleur cage isn’t useable with a thru axle
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Large overall size, so difficult to fit in cars or on trains
The beauty of the Scicon AeroComfort 3.0 TSA is you𒁏 can pack your bike without turning a single bolt (unless you hﷺave thru-axles); all you have to do is remove the wheels.
Once attached to the rigid Frame Defender metal base, my bike slotted in securely using the quick-release or thru-axles. Along with the square metal tube internal structure, Scion includes plenty of additional padding and a gear bag that's secured to the෴ base under the downtube for all the sundries you need at your riding location.
The bike straps into the bag securely, and the 360-degree wheels allow for easy one-handed dragging of the combined 9kg bag and bike weight. Although the four wheels limit the risk of toppling, all the wheels are casters so it tends to drift a little o♔n uneven surfaces. We’ve also seen baggage handlers stack Scicon bags upside down on baggage carts on multiple occasions so they won’t roll away, so consider some additional padding for your handlebars and shifters.
Bike Box Alan makes a number of hardcase bike boxes in Yorkshire, UK. The Tria🎃thlon Aero easy fit is the largest bike box the comp🍌any produces and with a max width of 50cm there is no need to disassemble the front end of your bike to pack it into the box.
All that is required to pack a bike is to remove your wheels and pedals and you're good to go, making this box a great option for time trial or triathlon bikes, road bikes with more complex integrated handlebars or cable routing or for people who just don't want the extra hassle. Everything is held in place with some of the grippiest Velcro I have ever encountered, with the wheels stored away in their own dedicated spot. Unlike some bags where there is some trepidation about leaving things like derailleurs on the bike, I was confident leaving my rear mech and hanger fitted to the 🅷bike.
To be able to fit the bike in the box with the handlebars fitte✤d means the case is considerably wider than most other bags and cases. That means you need to factor this in when organising transport to and from the airport. The wheels work well so rolling the case around was easy enough.
The boxes are available in six different colours, we tested the red version. You can also choose custom♚isable stickers🅠 and the box carries a 7-year manufacturing warranty as well as a range of spare parts.
PRO Bike Travel Case is a la🌊rge bag with an aluminium base frame (Image credit: PRO)
4. PRO Bike Travel Case
Best for MTB and road bike
Reasons to buy
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Easy to pack
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Lightweight
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Internal frame
Reasons to avoid
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Soft structure can be cumbersome to move around
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Soft sides aren't as protective as solid
With room to easily swa🐻llow road, TT and mountain bikes, the Pro🌳 Bike Mega Case is huge and features an aluminium base frame which connects to your bike at the axles. With so much room inside the case, the seatpost doesn't need to be removed, just lowered, and in most cases, you can get away with simply spinning your bars.
The inside of the bag has plenty of well-padded provisions to hold your frame securely, and even with the four 360-deꩵgree wheels at the bottom, the bag tracks easily in a straight line but it can be cumbersome in crowded baggage claim areas or train stations.
The outer fabric seems to mark a bit in transit, however, it's robust and weighing a hair over 8kg you should be able to get your bike and a bit of extra gear inside before you tip into overw🦋eight baggage territory.
Integrated repair stand
The Thule Roundtrip bike travel hard case doubles as🍷 a work stand (Image credit: Thule)
5. Thule Roundtrip bike travel hard case
Features an integrated repair stand
Reasons to buy
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Includes a work stand for ease of re-assembly
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Packs down small when not in use
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Rigid but light side panels
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Specific protection for the brake rotors
Reasons to avoid
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Case is heavy leaving less weight for the bike without incurring overweight fees
There are some bike travel cases that require a lot of disa🙈ssembly and others that don't. The Thule Roundtrip Bike Travel Case falls into the category that requires taking things apart but they've been smart to embrace the concept. Parts of t𝓀he bag that add support and protection come out and assemble into a work stand. There's even a clever triangle that you rotate to match your desired front axle standard.
You can use the work stand to keep the bike supported and at a comfortable working height while you either get it ready to travel or get it ready to ride. It's a good enough work stand that although we have a list of the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best bike repair stands you might be able to get away with a 🌟two for on💟e purchase if you aren't much of a home mechanic.
Best budget bike box
The B&W International Bike Box II uses self tightening 🍃velcro b🅰uckles for the closure system (Image credit: BW International)
6. B&W International Bike Box II
Best budget bike box
Reasons to buy
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The hard case offers superior protection
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No latches or hinges to break
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Competitive price
Reasons to avoid
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Frame not totally secured inside the box
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Lots of disassembly required
Sometimes simple is best, and that's precisely what the B&W International Bike Box II has to offer. There are no complicated packing procedures - instead, you get a few layers of foam to protect the frame from the wheels and box, and it all fits inside two interlocking𝐆 plastic sides.
The clamshell design utilises six self-tightening Velcro buckles to prevent the case from slipping open, and it features a surprising number of handles given the design. B&W International has updated the case with a new plastic des🌠igned to flex and not crack, and there are no latches or hinges to break.
With room for up to a 62cm frame, the case rolls on four wheels, two fixed and two free rotatiﷺng and weighs💖 11kg with the included padding.
Best for low weight
The OruCase Airport Ninja is amo♚ngst the lightest bike cases🔥 here at 5kg / 11lbs (Image credit: Orucase)
7. OruCase B2
Best for low weight
☆☆☆☆☆
Specifications
External dimensions: 71 x 89 x 23cm
Empty Weight: 6.8kg / 15lbs
Volume: Not listed
Reasons to buy
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Super light
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Well-padded
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Carries your bike like a backpack
Reasons to avoid
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Lots of disassembly required
While many airlines are abandoning the extra fees for checking bikes, some still haven't taken note, and that's where the OruCase B2 comes in handy. Travelling with the OruCase B2, when asked by desk agents what's in the bag🤪 we've told them everything from massage tables and trade show gear, to 'it's just a really weird duffel bag’ — just make sure you’re not wearing a bike t-shirt, trust us.
The OruCase sneaks in🔴 under most airlines’ maximum external dimensions limits for baggage and features plastic armour panels that are backed by foam to keep your ride safe. You'll need to remove your pedals, handlebars, front brake, fork and seatpost, and the bag is still a tight fit, but it comes in two sizes to fit a range of🌱 frames.
Weighing in at under 7kg empty, therಌe is plenty of free weight for you to fill the bag with riding clothes (which also work great as extra padding), and there are plush backpack straps to help🌠 you get around with minimal fuss.
Best for simplicity
The Bike Box Alan Original Premium is a little sma🦩ller that the Triathlon Aero EasyFit model we have also featured (Image credit: Bike Box Alan)
8. Bike Box Alan Original Premium
Best simple hardcase
Reasons to buy
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Great protection
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Velcro tie-downs
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Seven year Warranty
Reasons to avoid
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Expensive considering basic features
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Plenty of disassembly required
The Bike Box Alan Premium is a hard case box that claims to fit road bikes up to 65cm in size. Our 58cm test bike had plenty of room to spare, so we're confident the claim is true. It is a super sturdy, hard-wearℱing box that comes with a seven-year warranty.
The solid plastic case takes the brunt of all heavy-handed impacts while your bike is in transit, and the inclusion of an anti-c⛎rush pole prevents lateral pressure on your chainstays and forks, should your chosen airline decide to stack♚ your bike at the bottom of the pile. There is a weight penalty, however - an empty box weighs in at 11.2kg.
Two layers of foam padding prevent damage from within, and the myriad Velcr🍃o straps and internal instructio🐬ns make packaging a straightforward process.
Removal of your handlebars, seatpost, wheels, pe☂dals, and rear derailleur is required, which does take up some of your precious ride time but for the protection on offer, it's a sacrifice worth making.
Easy to manoeuvre
The T♓opeak Pakgo X Bike Carrier is a large case that's a similar weight to the Bike Box Alan cases (Image credit: Josh Ross)
The Topeak PakGo X is a bit like the kind of carry-on luggage you'd recognize on every flight except it's super-sized. Once packed the bike sits ✅with the fork facing the ground and the tail of the bike up in the air. This means a more upright outer silhouette that's easier to manoeuvre.
More important than the orientation of the bike though is the well-thought-out protection. There are a number of protective elements and each one has a label on it. As I packed my bike it was easy to f💟ind which piece goes where and every part of the bike is both protected and securely held to avoid movement in transit. You will need to remove the bar and stem, saddle and seatpost, rear derailleur, and wheels but there's a place for everything.
The one thing I had to be aware of is the weight of the case. Topeak lists the weight as 1𝓀0 Kg for the case only but that's not how you'll use it. Instead, you'll want to look at the 12.8 Kg weight that includes all the protective pieces. Unless you have a lightweight road bike it's unlikely you will avoid overweight fees.
What to look for in bike b🌠ags, trav🐭el cases and boxes
There are quite a few considerations when choosing the best bike bag or case for your bike. We'll break these down below, to help you to make an informed choice of the best bike bag ⭕for your needs.
Hard or soft shell?
Hardshell bike travel cases were the best way to travel with a bike for quite some time; however, engineers at bike brands are prettꦐy clever and softshell bags are nearly on par for protection, weigh less, and often have removable ribbing so they can be neatly rolled up for storage.
How much does empty weight matter?
With a plastic base, wheels, internal skel꧋eton, and robust materials, bike travel cases are heavy before you put an🎃ything inside, and some are pudgier than others.
Most airlines will give you 23kg / 50💃lbs before they hit you with an exorbitant overweight baggage fee, some budget airlines even less. If your bag weighs 12kg empty, when you pack a 6.8kg lightweight road bike, shoes and a track pump you'll be nudg꧃ing up against that limit.
What size do I need?
Are you just looking to travel with just your road bikes, or will you be tak𓃲ing trips with your mountain bike too? Are you riding an aero road bike with integrated handlebars or TT bars? Are you riding an XL frame?
These are all things to take into account🌜 when shopping for a bike bag because some of the more compact options are simply too small for certain bikes and frame sizes.
Do I need to disassemble my bike?
No bike bag will take your bike fully assembled, bu𒀰t some require considerably more disassembly and mechanical acumen than others. At the very least you’ll have to pop your wheels off, but some bags also require you to remove your seat post, handlebars, and even the fork.
That's going to cut into riding or relaxing time once you get to your destination and require you to carry more tools to rebuild your bike. As mentioned above, a 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:torque wrench is essential if you're go𒁏ing to have to reassemble delicate components.
FAQ
Do I need to worry about wheels and handles?
For something designed to h🍎elp you mo🍒ve around with a bike in tow, bike travel cases and bike bags can be, unsurprisingly, awkward and cumbersome to move around with.
If you want to avoid a back injury, a set of wheels should be a minimum requirement, especially if you're walking much afte🐓r you land - some bike bags even use easily replaceable roller blade wheels, as they're prone to damage w𒊎hen being loaded and unloaded.
In addition, you'll want plenty of handles to help you hoist your bag on🧸to a conveyor belt or into the back of a car.
Do I need to remove my derailleurs and rotors?
Take them off. Just about every bike bag out there comes with some sort of protecti🥀on for your rear derailleur and brake rot🍬ors, but airlines have a knack for rendering them ineffective.
Learn from our mistakes and just take them off. The last thing you want is to start your holiday with a bent rotor or a br🍒oken derailleur hanger. If you are removing disc-brake rotors, don't forget to put a brake block in the caliper to prevent the pads sticking together or the pistons getting stuck - in a pinch, a folded over business card works, too.
What's the fastest way to get my bike back together?
Saddle height and bar roll aren’t something you often think about until either one is a little bit off, and the last thing you want to do on your riding vacat𒉰ion is to pull over constantly and faff with minor adjustments. A couple of dots and lines with a paint pen will allow you to replicate your preferred position on the bike first try, every time.
Should I add extra padding?
Yes, we have🔯 just spent the last few hundred words saying how great the best bike travel cases, bags and boxes are, but there's nothing wrong with a💞 bit of added peace of mind.
Some bags come with foam tubing, however pipe insulation is perfect for an extra layer of prot🔜ection. You꧂ can also pop into your local bike shop, and if you ask nicely, they're likely to have plenty of spare packaging from a newly unboxed bike.
If you have a few spare kilos in your bike bag once it's packed, throw your shoes, riding cl🔜othes, bars and gels and whatever else will fit without tipping your bag over the limit. If you've paid for 23kg / 50l൲bs, you may as well use it, although be aware that some airlines stipulate that a bike bag should contain nothing but your bike.
Do I need to deflate my tyres?
When you’re packing your bike, take a second to let the air out of yo🏅ur tyres. Airlines don’t allow anything pressurised into thꦉe cargo hold because it violates civil aviation safety regulations.
Before the engineering types slide into the comments, yes we know that th♏e cargo hold is pressurised to ~10,000ft which will only add ~3-4psi to your tyres, and it’s extremely unlikely a tyre will burst in transit.
The reason you need to take this step, is because if y🐬ou do send your bike through with the tyres inflated, there is the distinct possibility that 💃an airline employee will pull your bag aside and attempt to deflate them. At the very least, it'll mean someone heavy-handedly rummaging through your neatly packed case, but we’ve heard horror stories of bags and tyres cut.
Avoid the drama and just let the air out. If you're running tubeless, drop them to a reason⭕able PSI that won't result in a sealant shower.
Our top tips for packing your bike
If you need to remove your 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:handlebars, p❀ut the facepꦚlate back on your stem so you don't lose the four bolts.
If you n▨eed to remove your stem, refit the top cap, then a zip tie around the steerer will keep your fork, headset and spacers from rattling loose. Be careful not to damage the steerer when cutting the zip tie off.
If🌜 you have Di2, unplug the battery. At the very least, it'll 🍌save some battery life, but it may also prevent your tightly packed derailleurs from shifting in transit and overworking the motor.
If you have an internal seatpost wed♌ge clamp, remove and pack it saf🧸ely. You don't want to spend the first hour of your trip fishing it out of your frame.
Take a spare derailleur hanger with you. For the price, it's worth having a spare anyway, not least when thousands of miles from home. Some airlines will let CO2 cartridges through, but others will stop the bike and remove them. If you're going to risk it, make them eas😼y to find so the baggage handler doesn't have to 🌳empty your entire bag.
Based on the Gold Coast of Australia, Colin has written tech content for cycling publication for a decade. Wit💞h hundreds of buyer's guides, reviews and how-tos published in Bike Radar, Cyclingnews, Bike Perfect and Cycling Weekly, as well as in numerous publications dedicated to his other passion, skiing.
Colin was a key contributor to Cyclingnews be𓄧tween 2019 and 2021, during which time he helped build the site's tech coverage from the ground up. Nowadays he works full-time as the news and content editor of Flow MꦜTB magazine.
