Tips for traveling on airplanes with your Scicon soft bike bag

Traveling on the airplane with your bike? Here are a few tips to help make it easier using a Scicon soft bike bag.Check out more cycling tips here: www.cycling-inform.com

[@fanygurl911]

*Great **Latest.Bike** , good looking, good suspension and love the gearing. I've tested some bikes that were more then twice the price but not as good. Get lots of looks when riding.*

[@chrislitt9398]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@abccba3903]

Remove the rear derailleur, and leave it attached to the chain. Wrap the derailleur with a bit of padding and let it sit in the bottom of the bag. The guard only feeds any impact loads to the hanger and frame, potentially causes more expensive damage. Plus I have the cluster pointing inwards as it isn't aligned with anything on the bike, sits in gaps between frame members, so it won't hit anything if struck from the side. With it pointing outwards it is more likely to catch or get hung up on something during moving, dragging along the bags side.

[@cyclinginform]

Awesome. Thanks ABC for your comments.

[@stefanhansi9339]

very informative, thanks!

[@cyclinginform]

Thanks Stefan.

[@BULLDOGVII]

Love it!!

[@cyclinginform]

Thanks Mate!

[@MrSailordie]

I put empty 3liter canister sideways to give extra protection to backstay.

[@cyclinginform]

Thanks :-)

[@emmacolson2279]

I don't rate these bags at all (I have 2 hanging up, and they have been there for years). The most common form of damage when using Scicon bags (and most expensive) is when the rear triangle gets crushed, with sideways pressure. A large foam block inserted between the brake stays may help to avoid this, but a errant baggage handler may still trump you. I think removing the derailleur, as mentioned elsewhere, is a good move too.

[@cyclinginform]

Thanks Emma. Sorry to hear that you have had issues with these bags. We have been traveling with them for many years now and have had no problems. That being said it doesn't make me immune to the risk of damage. The foam block is a great idea so thanks for sharing. There is always a risk when traveling with bikes so I have travel insurance and I also have my bikes insured if they are damaged or lost in transit. There is also a compromise between the weight of the bike bag and the protection that it offers. These bags provide ok protection and are light. Hard cases provide more protection but are heavier. With airlines airlines becoming more vigilant when it comes to charging for overweight luggage it's a personal choice as to what bike bag you choose to travel with. And yes, removing the removing the derailleur is a good point to.

[@Gledii]

thanks for sharing, the rigid mount part (with protection to the rear derraileur) came with the bag or you got it separately? thanks

[@penguin36882]

The rear derailleur protector comes with the bag 🙂

[@Joiedevivredesilives]

Hi do you know what your total packed weight was roughly

[@cyclinginform]

including bike and cycling clothing, about 19kg

[@ftekkie]

Mine was definitely less than 19. I can recall somewhere around 15-16. But I also didn't pack it up totally, just had something like shoes and multitool in the extra spot there. Definitely didn't pack the helmet there, that goes in the big bag, always!

[@joybraun]

TSA has started taking the bike off the stand and then dumping it back into the bag. The bike can get damaged, & the bag drags on the floor, no longer on the wheels.

[@elcheno]

This happened to me last year.

[@xlink316]

What has your experience been with airlines? Have they nailed you with the over-sized fee?

[@penguin36882]

it's always important to check with the airline before you book your tickets. We have travelled around the world with our bikes and not bee hit with an oversize fee, but we carefully pick our airline.

[@ftekkie]

I've got 110€ return within EU just recently on Lufthansa, KLM, and I think it was the same on Finnair last year.

[@dahoe1]

The baggage handlers dropped mine on the seat, wrecking the seat and bending my skewers. Don't recommend this design as it usually is transported on its side on airport conveyor belts

[@penguin36882]

Thnaks Adrian, I've never had an issue and transport my bike often on aeroplanes using this bag, but there is always a risk that your bike will be damaged using these bags.