I transported my race bike to and from Germany this summer with this case, and it exceeded my expectations.
The built-in bike stand is extremely useful for bike reassembly and adjustment on your trip.
The included wheel bags have pockets inside for QR skewers, and I put my pedals and some spare tubes in the pockets too.
Plenty of room in the case for tools and a few bags, but some airlines might not like seeing not-bike stuff in the case. I did not have any problems, but the Toronto Pearson airport did say no clothes. And of course, you CANNOT take CO2 cartridges on a plane in checked or carry-on baggage, and they specifically watch for them.
In Toronto Pearson, they do not have a scanner large enough for the case, so expect to have to almost entirely empty the case, remove the foam protection, and empty any bags and tools so they can look at and swab everything. 10 minutes and it was handled, and barely even a minor inconvenience; the case is easy to pack and unpack.
In Frankfurt, the check-in clerk got a handler to come out and fetch the case. I did not need to unpack the case for them for inspection.
My rides in Germany came in sedans. We just barely got the case into the back seat, by slightly curving down/doming the side panels to fit. It worked out fine, and did not damage the removable side panels, but I am not sure I want to do it often for fear of damaging them.
The entire experience has opened my eyes to the brilliance of taking my beloved bicycle with me on trips. This case may not be the cheapest, but its accoutrements make it stand out as a perfect bicycle flying solution and I recommend it to everyone. I seriously cannot wait for my next trips to introduce my bike to new countries and continents!
The case does NOT come with any frame packing. I picked up a couple sizes of pool noodles at the local Canadian Tire for maybe $12, cut 'em up and used them for frame and post protection, which was fine and ultimately customisable to my needs. I don't consider this a major issue.
| Product Dimensions | 124 x 32.99 x 84.99 cm; 12.5 kg |
|---|---|
| Item model number | 3204825 |
| Colour | Black |
| Size | Road Bike |
| Handle Type | Web Handle |
| Height | 12 inches |
| Length | 51 inches |
| Weight | 15.31 kg |
| Width | 16 inches |
| Material | Polyester |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Included Components | Bike travel case |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Brand | Thule |
| Item Weight | 12.5 kg |
