Best mountain bike travel case

If you love riding your mountain bike on different trails and terrains, you might want to take it with you when you travel. But how do you transport your bike safely and conveniently without damaging it or paying extra fees? The answer is to use a mountain bike travel case.

A mountain bike travel case protects bike from scratches, dents, impacts in transit. It also makes it easier make packing, unpacking, and carrying a breeze. Not all mountain bike travel cases are suitable for every bike or trip. Choose the right case to protect your bike’s structure. In this post, we’ll review some of the best mountain bike travel cases that you can buy in 2023. And help you choose the right one for your need.

What to Look for in a Mountain Bike Travel Case

Before you buy a mountain bike travel case, you should consider the following factors:

• Size and weight: The size and weight of your travel case will affect how easy it is to pack, carry, and store your bike. Check dimensions & weight limits: airlines may charge extra fees or reject oversized or overweight baggage. Ideally, compact & light travel case that fits bike & accessories.

• Protection: The main purpose of a travel case is to protect your bike from damage during transit. Choose a mountain bike travel case with enough padding, reinforcement, and security features to prevent damage to your bike. Some travel cases have hard shells that offer more protection but are heavier and bulkier. Others have soft shells that are lighter and more flexible but may not be as durable or protective.

• Compatibility: Not all travel cases are compatible with all types of bikes. You need to make sure that your travel case can accommodate the size, shape, and features of your mountain bike. For example, some travel cases may not fit bikes with large wheels, wide tires, long wheelbases, or different axle standards. When choosing a mountain bike travel case, check if you need to remove parts like wheels, pedals, handlebars, or seatpost. Some cases provide tools or accessories to help you do so.

• Portability: Another factor to consider is how easy it is to move your travel case around. You want a travel case that has smooth wheels, sturdy handles, and ergonomic straps that allow you to roll or carry your bike with ease. You also want a travel case that has good balance and stability when loaded with your bike and does not tip over or wobble.

• Price: The price of a travel case depends on its quality, features, and brand. You can find cheap travel cases that may do the job but may not last long or offer much protection. Also you can find expensive travel cases that have premium materials, design, and performance but may be overkill for your needs. You need to find a balance between quality and affordability that suits your budget and expectations.

The Best Mountain Bike Travel Cases of 2023

Based on our research and testing, here are some of the best mountain bike travel cases that you can buy in 2023:

Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro

The Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro is one of the most popular and versatile travel cases on the market. It can fit almost any type of bike, from road bikes to enduro bikes, with wheels up to 29 inches in diameter. Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro features an internal aluminum stand that attaches to the axles of your bike and doubles as a work stand when you need to assemble or disassemble your bike.

It also has plenty of padding, reinforcement, and compartments to protect your bike and store your accessories. The Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro has smooth wheels, sturdy handles, and adjustable straps that make it easy to roll or carry around. It weighs 10 kg when empty and has external dimensions of 147 x 36 x 85 cm. The only downside is that it is quite expensive compared to other options.

Dakine Bike Roller

The Dakine Bike Roller is another great option for traveling with your mountain bike. It has a simple and easy loading process that does not require you to remove any parts of your bike except the wheels. Dakine Bike Roller has ample padding and protection for your frame and fork, as well as separate wheel bags that fit inside the main compartment.

It also has several pockets and straps to secure your pedals, tools, helmet, shoes, and other accessories. The Dakine Bike Roller has smooth wheels, sturdy handles, and a retractable tow handle that make it easy to roll or carry around. It weighs 8.2 kg when empty and has external dimensions of 140 x 35 x 80 cm. It is also more affordable than the Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro.

Topeak PakGo X

The Topeak PakGo X is a high-end travel case that offers excellent protection for your bike. It has a hard shell made of polycarbonate and reinforced with aluminum that can withstand impacts and shocks. Topeak PakGo X also has an internal frame that holds your bike securely and prevents it from moving or shifting inside the case.

It also has separate wheel bags, protective cover, TSA lock for safety. Topeak PakGo X rolls or carries with ease: smooth wheels, sturdy handles, built-in mount. It weighs 12 kg when empty and has external dimensions of 127 x 85 x 35 cm3. Not compatible with most MTBs: only fits road & gravel bikes with 700c wheels.

B&W International Bike Box II

The B&W International Bike Box II is a budget-friendly travel case that still offers decent protection for your bike. It has a hard shell made of polypropylene that can resist impacts and scratches. B&W Bike Box II has internal frame to hold bike in place.

It also has separate wheel bags, a foam padding, and a combination lock to protect your bike and accessories. The B&W International Bike Box II has smooth wheels, sturdy handles, and a pull strap that make it easy to roll or carry around. It weighs 9.6 kg when empty and has external dimensions of 115 x 81 x 28 cm. Main drawback: more parts to remove, like handlebars, seatpost, pedals, rear derailleur.

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How to Pack Your Mountain Bike Safely for Travel

To ensure the safety of your mountain bike during transit, you need to pack it properly. Here are some tips and tricks for packing your mountain bike safely for travel:

Clean your bike: Before you pack your bike, you should clean it thoroughly to remove any dirt, mud, grease, or debris that may damage your bike or your travel case. You can use a soft brush, a sponge, and some water and soap to clean your bike. You should also dry your bike completely before packing it.

• Deflate your tires: You should deflate your tires slightly to reduce the risk of them bursting due to changes in air pressure during flight. You can use a pump or a valve core remover to let out some air from your tires. You don’t need to completely flatten them, just enough to make them soft.

• Remove your wheels: You should remove your wheels from your bike and store them separately in wheel bags or compartments. You should also remove the skewers or axles from your wheels and secure them with tape or zip ties. Loosen the lug nuts on your wheels with a lug wrench or socket wrench.

• Remove your pedals: You should remove your pedals from your bike and store them separately in a pocket or a compartment. You can use a pedal wrench or an Allen key to unscrew the pedals from the crank arms. You should also mark the left and right pedals with tape or stickers to avoid confusion when reattaching them.

• Remove your handlebars: You may need to remove your handlebars from your bike depending on the size and shape of your travel case. You can use an Allen key to loosen the stem bolts that hold your handlebars in place. Also you should also disconnect any cables or hoses that run through your handlebars and secure them with tape or zip ties. You can wrap your handlebars with bubble wrap or foam to protect them from scratches or dents.

• Remove your seatpost: You may need to remove your seatpost from your bike depending on the size and shape of your travel case. Use an Allen key or quick release lever to loosen the seatpost clamp. You should also mark the height of your seatpost with tape or stickers to avoid losing your preferred position when reattaching it.

• Protect your frame and fork: You should protect your frame and fork from scratches or dents by wrapping them with bubble wrap, foam, cardboard, or cloth. You should also cover any sharp or protruding parts of your bike with tape or zip ties. You can use pipe insulation, foam tubing, or old socks to cover the the handlebars and brake levers.

• Pack your bike in a sturdy travel case: You can purchase a dedicated bike travel case or use a large, sturdy cardboard box. Make sure the case is big enough to fit your bike and all of its components. You should also add some padding to the case to protect your bike from further damage.

• Label your case clearly: Make sure to label your case clearly with the words “fragile” and “this side up.” This will help to ensure that your bike is handled carefully during transport.

By following these tips, you can pack your mountain bike safely for travel and avoid any damage to your bike.

Here are some additional tips:

If you are flying with your bike, check with your airline in advance to see if there are any special requirements.
Take pictures of your bike before you pack it in case anything gets damaged during transport.
Purchase travel insurance for your bike to protect yourself in case of any damage.
With a little care and planning, you can safely pack your mountain bike for travel and enjoy your next adventure without worry.