Thule

Round Trip Transition Bike Travel Case

Bike case is ok-ish but to SMAL for 29" MTB

Like most of the MTBs out there right now, my MTB is also a 29” model. Being aware of the size I did call previous to my order two online bike shops to find out if there are any restrictions using the bike case. To be fair, both couldn’t say with a certainty there wouldn’t be any problem. At the same time, none of them said they did hear any complaints from customers (which makes me wonder afterwards). I did also check the THULE product description and couldn’t find any important notes about the size. “Fits most road, mountain, and cyclocross bikes” implies to me 29” are included. I did order the bike and was looking forward to my trip. Few days before my trip I did start to pack up my bike. Everything went well till the final placement of the bike in the case (instruction video at 01:45). To my surprise I couldn’t click in the bike holder into the mount system on the bottom of the case entirely, because the length between the front and rear axis is too big to fit into the bike case (my bike is L size according to the manufacturer). I was very disappointed about this fact, since that was the main reason for me to buy this bike case, namely, the bike is fix in a box during a flight! I had already few bikes on flights and the constant vibrations can cause severe damages to bikes, especially when the frame has contact with other parts et cetera or is stored together with other shipment goods. Being aware of that I additionally used cardboard to fix the handlebar & protect the fork as well to separate the wheels (even packed in the bags). I did also tight up the chain to the frame with old shirts to avoid scratches on the frame. The “trick” was in the end to use the saddle as a stopper/blocker to the upside of the case within the case. I think, everyone who was on airplane did experience some heavy turbulences. Same happens to your bike, so I tried to avoid this with the saddle positioning. In the end my bike arrived well at the destination airport (at this point on a side note: many airlines exclude any responsibility for damages on sports equipment). No real damages on the bike inside. TL;DR I don’t recommend the bike case for 29” models, if you like your bike to be really fixed in the case.

Fantastic Protection But Improvement Needed

If making sure your bike has the best chance of survival with baggage handlers, this is the case for you. The case has ample space for my bikes (gravel and road) and breakdown and set up of your bike is easy with the included stand. With this case being in the market for as long as it has, there are plenty of helpful videos showing you exactly how to do this. I do have two issues with the case that hopefully will be addressed if there's a revised version planned. One being that the case only has two wheels and you must lift the case in order to roll it. Ideally there would be two additional wheels at the front of the case for easier movement through crowded airports. This would mean a redesign of the case, but this is a feature that would be most welcomed. Second the durability of the handles. The front handle receives a lot of use since it's used to lift the case for transporting. It is also the focal point for TSA and baggage handler abuse. Recently, the front handle was just ripped out of the case. This is not THULE's fault, but it does speak to the need to reinforce these handles better. Fortunately, THULE makes parts available and it's a quick fix, but having to pay for new handles (airlines "might" reimburse you for fixing the case, but do check with your carrier as sporting goods cases are not covered by regular damaged baggage rules) and moving the case through the airport without this critical handle is difficult since you need the front handle otherwise lift the case so you can roll the case. This issue is why I gave the case 4 instead of 5 stars.

Almost perfection, genius design.

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

A bike repair and assembly stand that doubles as a fixed frame surrounded by hard shell. Its another genius product from Thule. The only let down are the flimsy handles with zero support around the area they are affixed to the case. Mine broke off after a single use. Its a sad let down for such a high design product, but I would recommend it as the best bike transport available on the market today.

Best. Bike. Case. On. Earth.

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I love my Thule hard case- I’ve schlepped my bike all over the place to ride (Delta accepts it as a regular checked bag). OK… 60ish lbs is a bit rough to lug around and any rental car has to be a huge SUV to fit the thing on the other end of the flight, but so easy to use and so nice to be mobile. Taking it to Nice to watch the TdF this summer. Love it.

dealing with back Country was an excerse

this purchase could not have been more difficult,.

Shipping

You want something shipped, it's a disaster. Bot calls, lack of response from sales reps and missed gifts ordered 30 days before the Holidays and lost somewhere. My first time and now the last time ordering from Back Country

No longer lying to wife about “30min packing time”

When I tell my wife it will only be 30 minutes to pack the bike, she believes me now. Used to take me a whole lot longer. One of the easiest travel cases I have ever worked with. Worth the cost. Safe, secure, and not a pain to take the bike apart.