Like Stephen mentioned, a good quality cardboard box is a great choice. I've been pleased with using it for both domestic and international trips.
On Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:20:18 PM UTC-8 Stephen Durfee wrote: > I owned a pair of Trico iron cases, but found them to be overweight and > awkward, so never used them. Meanwhile, I have had success simply packing > my bike into a cardboard bike box, picked up for free from the LBS. I > removed the front wheel and removed the skewer, pulled the handlebar/stem > and pedals, but that was pretty much it. All the extra camping gear goes > into the box and most airlines don't complain if you go over the 50lb > weight limit. > > On Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:26:04 AM UTC-8 Jay Lonner wrote: > >> I wrote about my experience with a soft bag on the iBOB list last fall: >> >> >> Here’s a follow-up on our experience with the Ostrich OS-500 soft case. >> The bottom line is that it worked very well indeed (with caveats), >> surpassing expectations. The caveats are: adding extra foam padding as >> described in my initial post, and breaking down the bike a fair amount. In >> addition to removing the rear derailleur, I also removed the chain, >> handlebars, front rack, and crankset (and am now a big believer in >> self-extracting crank bolts). I also installed dummy axles picked up on the >> cheap at our local used bike co-op. This necessitated traveling with a few >> extra tools, but that was more than offset by the inherent light weight of >> the bag. I was struck that Piaw Na was traveling at about the same time, >> using 32 lb. Trico Ironcases, and still had a problem with a bent tooth on >> a chainring. My wife’s bike, fully packed and including tools/spares, came >> in at just under 19 kg (lighter than the checked weight of my BF). The >> front derailleur needed minor adjustment on arrival, but the bike otherwise >> was intact. I was pleasantly surprised, and would definitely recommend this >> bag as a lower-weight, easier-to-stow alternative to hard cases for airline >> travel. >> >> Jay Lonner >> Bellingham, WA >> >> Sent from my Atari 400 >> >> On Sep 8, 2025, at 2:27 PM, Jay Lonner <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> On Sunday my wife and I leave for Barcelona for a tour that will take us >> to Lisbon. I’ll be riding my Bike Friday NWT, and she’s opted to take her >> 2012 Salsa Casseroll. The BF obviously will go in its own suitcase, and for >> her bike I’ve decided to try out the soft-sided Ostrich OS-500 Airplane >> Bag that RH sells. (We have access to a hard case, but it’s large and >> bulky, and this seems like a good opportunity to try out a more minimalist >> approach.) Does anybody have specific tips to offer regarding packing such >> a bag? I plan to remove the rear derailer, and will use foam pipe >> insulation on the frame and fork. I’ve also purchased two yoga mats to line >> the case for additional protection. This bike is not a looker, so a scratch >> or two won’t be a problem — mostly I want to take reasonable precautions to >> ensure that it survives the trip in rideable condition. >> >> >> Sent from my Atari 400 >> >> On Feb 20, 2026, at 10:17 AM, Robert Joseph Ii Daniels <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> I have a long wheelbase (double top tube - 2018?) Atlantis. I want to >> fly with it for a bike tour. Does anyone have a recommendation for a travel >> bike bag? I haven't found one that seems like it would fit/protect it. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/41033b71-4a59-4adb-a41c-b5a370195d5fn%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/41033b71-4a59-4adb-a41c-b5a370195d5fn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/0e81ec0a-9c0b-46a8-a3c1-5b3613c25808n%40googlegroups.com.
