Anyone know of an airline travel case for a FS 29er that ACTUALLY does fit the bike inside. Not having to remove fork etc. And, internal wheel sleeves that ACTUALLY do fit a fully inflated tubeless big wheel. Does such a critter exist? I'm not finding one yet, I'm sayin' it again, it ACTUALLY does fit the big bikes.
29er bike travel cases?
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I've successfully used a Pika Packworks case
I've used a Pika Packworks XL case with both my hardtail and my spider 29 (I ride a medium) . It takes some wrangling and if you run high volume tires you will need to take some (but not all of the air out). The maker of these packs works in his basement and he may be able to work with you on something special. I've put the bike on some airlines and not been charged at all (Frontier out of DCA) and I've been charged full frieght. It is a really nice and thoughtfully designed soft case.
http://www.pikapackworks.com/
Here's a review with photos from the dirtrag foums:
http://dirtragmag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20750
I've used a Pika Packworks XL case with both my hardtail and my spider 29 (I ride a medium) . It takes some wrangling and if you run high volume tires you will need to take some (but not all of the air out). The maker of these packs works in his basement and he may be able to work with you on something special. I've put the bike on some airlines and not been charged at all (Frontier out of DCA) and I've been charged full frieght. It is a really nice and thoughtfully designed soft case.
http://www.pikapackworks.com/
Here's a review with photos from the dirtrag foums:
http://dirtragmag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20750
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I used an Air Cady on a recent flight . It held my large 2010 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 29r with no problem. I did have to let the air out of the front fork, turn it around and remove the handlebars.
I like the Air Cady system because you don't have to remove your pedals, and depending on your frame's size, not even your seatpost.
http://www.aircaddy.com/
I like the Air Cady system because you don't have to remove your pedals, and depending on your frame's size, not even your seatpost.
http://www.aircaddy.com/
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It is a good thread to keep updated, there are still people looking for these, and they're still not common. I ran across it googling 29er case
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I have a air caddy its great
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I use this one. Fits a XXL tallboy no problem if you undo the RD. internal mounting frame is too small, so I pad out with foam/bubble wrap. B and W International.
Not light, but bombproof.
Not light, but bombproof.
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2,188 Posts
I have the Pica Packworks XL or EEP. (The big version). It barely fits my Medium Tallboy. It does not fit fully inflated 29er tires, you'll rip the pockets trying to make it fit. It is however my favorite bike case.
I remove the brake rotors, derailleur hanger and let the air out of the tires (not breaking the bead) and let the air out of the fork, and it fits snug. It does a good job of protecting the bike, and carrying all your gear.
I always carry a small box to hold my pedals, rotors, hangers, tools and extras and it works out pretty well. I also have enough room for shoes, helmet, and all the rest of my riding gear. It all travels well and stays relatively in place.
The only other one that I have experience with is the THULE hard case. I haven't put my FS29er in it, but if I had to guess..it fit with the tires fully inflated. The case is bigger, but in my opinion, it doesn't hold as much gear nor does it keep it very organized. You have to carefully place the items in to fit under the straps and not move around.
DO NOT GO WITH A BAG!!! I regret the first and only time my bike went in a nylon bag...doesn't matter if has a semi-vinyl sides or not, your stuff will get wrecked!!! I did it once and had about $150 in damages...no bueno!
I remove the brake rotors, derailleur hanger and let the air out of the tires (not breaking the bead) and let the air out of the fork, and it fits snug. It does a good job of protecting the bike, and carrying all your gear.
I always carry a small box to hold my pedals, rotors, hangers, tools and extras and it works out pretty well. I also have enough room for shoes, helmet, and all the rest of my riding gear. It all travels well and stays relatively in place.
The only other one that I have experience with is the THULE hard case. I haven't put my FS29er in it, but if I had to guess..it fit with the tires fully inflated. The case is bigger, but in my opinion, it doesn't hold as much gear nor does it keep it very organized. You have to carefully place the items in to fit under the straps and not move around.
DO NOT GO WITH A BAG!!! I regret the first and only time my bike went in a nylon bag...doesn't matter if has a semi-vinyl sides or not, your stuff will get wrecked!!! I did it once and had about $150 in damages...no bueno!
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Nothing that I have found will keep 29er mountain bike frame to fit those dimensions. I think the only way to accomplish this would to have a light hardtail "break away" frame bike. The reason why this is so hard is you need a minimum amount of linear inches to cover the wheels and 135mm width of the rear dropouts. This is even hard to accomplish with a road bike.
am going to have to travel with my bike a few times this year up to Colorado.I emailed the guy from Pika to see if he can make 2 cases, one for the frame and one for the wheels. Rather than pay overage of $100 on united, maybe first case can be free if it falls under their guidelines (< 62 linear inches and 50 lbs) and i can pay $25 for second checked bag
From Mark @ Pika
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I make a 2 bag system; the fork is removed for the frame bag and it still is larger than 62 linear inches, but I don't think anyone using this system gets charged the bike fee. to see a picture for the design look on the rustersports.com site. I designed these bags with them-and manufactured them for the first two years they were marketing them. My price is $430.
mark
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however on some really quick browsing, i see that at least the hen house is under 62"
not sure which bag mark is talking about
but before dropping several hundred on a travel case, i'd like to know that airlines are good with the size and not go from anecdotal evidence
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I make a 2 bag system; the fork is removed for the frame bag and it still is larger than 62 linear inches, but I don't think anyone using this system gets charged the bike fee. to see a picture for the design look on the rustersports.com site. I designed these bags with them-and manufactured them for the first two years they were marketing them. My price is $430.
mark
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however on some really quick browsing, i see that at least the hen house is under 62"
not sure which bag mark is talking about
but before dropping several hundred on a travel case, i'd like to know that airlines are good with the size and not go from anecdotal evidence
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