Setting: Vancouver and abroad 
Plot: Go places with bike, ride 
Characters: Max, Master Plan Dan 
 
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 two 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 bike bag in early 2006. 

The Dakine bike bag and the bike it's about to devour || Photo: Max Nodwell

Crescendo 
Nothing ensures that you will stay put better than making purchases that will enable you to wander. The first several months of Dakine bike bag 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, 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 in my attempt to use it! After that, I guarded my case jealously, and flew through fire and water and Utah to my home away from home.

First Verse
Considering that I'd never packed my Torrent into the Dakine case, the fact that the whole ordeal only took about 30 minutes says a lot. Wheels, rotors, brake calipers, handlebar came off, axle spacers were inserted, small parts went into the internal pockets, and a few strips of extra foam were tossed in to better pad the bike. The whole mess was laid down and compressed while the zipper made a strained path around the piping. 

Stuffing bike, pads, lid, and other crap into the Dakine bag || Photo: Max Nodwell

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. Turns out that no way is “great” – bikes are such awkwardly shaped items that squeezing them into a rectangular box always leaves gaps, room for slop and bits poking out the sides. But I still felt like my bike was well protected from the worst that Delta Airlines had to offer. 

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 up and down 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 U.S. 

This actually zips shut? This should be fun... || Photo: Max Nodwell

Third Verse
On both trips, neither bike was harmed in any way during the shipping segments. That was definitely a good thing.

And now on to some other 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. 

I love economy-sized rental cars. They're soooo much fun. Especially when you have a bike bag. || Photo: Max Nodwell

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) the Dakine bike bag 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. 

The bag gets scuffed, thanks to those lazy bag handlers, but keeps on going || Photo: Max Nodwell

4a) the zipper had a tendency to skip teeth unless you are careful when closing. 
4b) be careful closing it so the zipper doesn't skip teeth. 
 
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 (they cost about $350 - $400), the Dakine bike bag is a worthwhile investment for you and your mount(s).

At the end of the day, this is what it's all about. Bike + Dakine bag = fun on distant trail || Photo: Max Nodwell

Wanna talk about the Dakine bike bag? Do it here.