The Dakine Bike Bag
A Suitcase For Your Ride
Words by Max Nodwell.
Date: 2008-11-06
Prelude:
The past few years I've had to travel a fair amount for work, usually for several weeks at a time, and usually to warm places that have sweet trails. My first travels were with a cardboard box, and involved hefty airline fees. To counter the flow of cash, I made my own bike bag - a zippered rectangle of cordura that was stuffed with foam padding and required fork removal for proper fit. This bag worked well and protected the goods for about 2 years, during which time I still got charged handling fees, got sick of the elaborate disassembly and the lack of castors (American airports charge to use the luggage carts - to hell with that, I'll (grunt) carry.. my *gasp* bags...). That, and the arrival of a new, slightly larger bike, forced me to make the move to the Dakine side.
I'm going to fit that in there?
Cresendo:
Nothing ensures that you will stay put better than making purchases that will enable you to wander. The first several months of ownership involved a) going nowhere, b) snowboarding my brains out and c) finally, going somewhere - New Brunswick in March, a truly bikeless enterprise. The first use the bag saw was actually by the Master Plan Dan Gronross, who had to ship a bike home from Ontario. Unfortunately due to schedule changes Dan did not get home before I had to leave for my usual business destination (Bisbee, Arizona) in June - foiled! After that, I guarded my case jealously, and flew through fire and water and Utah to my home away from home.
First Verse:
I'd never packed my Torrent into this particular case and yet the whole ordeal only took about 30 minutes. Wheels, rotors, brake calipers, handlebar came off, axle spacers were inserted, small parts went into the internal pockets, a few strips of extra foam were tossed in to better pad the bike and the whole mess was laid down and compressed while the zipper made a strained path around the piping.
On the return trip the same procedure was repeated, but it seemed much slower thanks to lack of deadlines and my desire to do it better. It turns out that no way is 'great.' Bikes are such awkwardly shaped beasts that squeezing them into a rectangular box always leaves gaps, room for slop and bits poking out the sides. Even so I felt like my bike was well protected from the worst that Delta could summon.
Second Verse (just like the first):
My second trip with the bag (to the same destination) was with my lighter, smaller and more packable Chromag. I packed exactly the same way; odds and sods in the pockets, lay the frame and fork all down in foam, clothes and shoes tucked into the nooks and crannies and away we go. There was less jumping to get that cover zipped up this time, although the whole package weight felt about the same. I also threw in a bungee cord so I could hold down the trunk of my rental car in the US.
Arrived safe, sound and trail-worthy. Now we ride!
Third Verse:
On both trips, neither bike was harmed in any way during the shipping segments.
It's a bonus when work takes you places where the weather is fine and the trails are buff.
Some points and counter-points:
1a) the size of this thing is HUGE when it is sitting in your living room or when you are trying to squeeze it into an economy rental car.
1b) the size of this thing is less huge when you are trying to fit a big bike in to it, or when you see what retired American cruise-goers take off the luggage carousel.
2a) the wheels on this bag and the retractable handle make life better.
2b) the wheels on this bag and the retractable handle make you shove a few extra things in - and then it gets heavy. And then you have to carry it down the stairs.
3a) it is really well made and tough, and I could feel the protection as the zippers joined each other in the corner.
3b) it is really well made and tough, but one critical spot got missed - the narrow corner on the wheeled end, floor side (opposite the long edge double handle) already has a hole in it because that's where it gets dragged when the luggage handlers don't feel like carrying 60+ lbs. This should be the same rubbery stuff as the reinforced areas.
Some scuff marks and a small battle wound - courtesy of Delta Airlines.
4a) the zipper had a tendency to skip teeth unless you are careful when closing.
4b) be careful.
Conclusion:
This bag does exactly what it is designed to do. It is lighter and cheaper than a hard case, offers the space and organization that makes packing easier, has dignity-saving wheels and is still confidence inspiring and protective. The scuffs and wear to the bag itself are the price one pays for these conveniences, and are minor. If you travel frequently and have a few extra bills to spare (the bag retails for $400 here in Canada), it may be a worthwhile investment for you and your mount(s). Locally they are available at Steed Cycles.
- Heavy duty EPE foam/polyethelene padding
- Multiple carry handles
- Retractable handle
- Padded internal divider
- Internal pockets for spare parts, pedals etc.
- Abrasion resistant Hypalon panels in high wear areas
- Large diameter wheels with sealed bearings
- 46 x 14 x 30" [122 x 36 x 76cm]
- 16lbs [8kg]
For more info hit up Dakine.com.
Do you travel with your ride? If so how do you get it on the plane and what do you pack it in? Any recommendations about the best carriers to use? Share your travel tips here...
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