Bike transport bags

Which bag for which journey?

Choose a bike bag first and foremost according to the mode of transport, because it determines the protection needed and the dimensions to allow for. The same bike needs different preparation for a car boot, a high-speed train and an aircraft hold.

• Car : a soft bag is enough. It protects against rubbing and dirt, folds up and takes up little space on the way back.
• Train : the challenge is its size and manoeuvring it through corridors. Bags designed for train travel (TrainBag ranges) aim to be as compact as possible with the bike dismantled.
• Plane : this is where substantial padding matters. The versions labelled Travel add reinforcement, fork and derailleur protection, and wheels — a bike in an aircraft hold won't be handled gently.

Soft, padded or hard

The bag soft only protects against scratches; it's light and easy to store once you arrive. The bag padded is the standard choice for air travel: a good balance of protection, weight and ease of storage. The hard case hard offers the best protection but is heavy, expensive and bulky at your destination. Bear in mind the empty weight : it counts towards your baggage allowance along with the bike, and a few kilos can often mean an extra charge.

Road or mountain bike, and wheel size

The ranges come in versions for road bikes and MTB — a 29-inch mountain bike, wide handlebars and a tapered-steerer fork won't fit in a road bike bag. Check the stated wheel size and maximum frame length before ordering, especially for a large frame or a full-suspension bike.

What the bag doesn't protect

Vulnerable parts need separate protection, and that's often what's missing on a first trip:

• The rear derailleur is the most exposed component. The usual practice is to remove and wrap it, with a dedicated dropout protector.
• The fork and the dropouts are braced with spacers to prevent the frame from being crushed.
• The brake discs can bend out of true quickly; the pistons close if you pull the brake levers with the wheel removed — a brake pad spacer prevents this mishap.
• Handlebars, saddle, pedals and chain each have their own protection: it prevents marks on the frame as well as damage to the component itself.

Wheel bags

Most bike bags are carried with the wheels removed, and the wheels travel separately. Wheel bags are available for one wheel or as a dual-sided, with padding that protects carbon rims and spokes in particular. They're also a good way to transport a wheelset on its own to a race or workshop.

Protecting your bike on the bike rack and in the garage

This category also includes protective accessories unrelated to travel: the tailgate pads (tailgate pads) for carrying mountain bikes laid down in a pick-up or van, the rain covers for bike racks that protect against road spray, and the stretch bike covers that keep the bike clean in the garage between seasons.

To find out more: How to choose a bike bag

See also: Car bike racks · Bike stands and storage · Bike travel bags