I think I’ve given up on the whole not taking off the handlebars thing. Considering I get 15% off if it’s a qbp brand, I think I’m between the Thule and the Evoc. But it looks like Topeak makes an interesting option as well. Anyone have experience with the Topeak ones?
What’s the cable/hose routing situation with your integrated bars?
I’m honestly not sure beyond it’s a one-piece stem combo with internal routing. It’s a new Ridley X-Night RS and I had my LBS build it up for me. Hence my initial concern about keeping bars attached. But I can’t imagine it would be more complicated than just removing things enough to let it hang by the side. I wouldn’t think I’d have to remove and deal with cable routing too much. And to be fair, even if I did, it’s probably worth me learning how to deal with it to keep my bike safe during transport.
Looks like there’ll be two brake hoses going from inside the stem through the upper headset directly into the frame. The issue is there’s likely no additional slack in the hoses. There might be enough to just get the stem off the steerer, but then there won’t be any to allow repositioning the bars. Probably best to get that figured out before getting a case.
Some years back I used the AirCaddy (basically a reinforced triangular cardboard box) for a number of flights, and never had any issues. But I don’t think this option would be viable with an integrated front end, as one of the packing steps was to turn the bars downward. I loved not having to remove the rear wheel or stem), and I was generally able to fit an extra set of wheels (in addition to the front wheel, which did have to be removed) and all of my gear inside, and still stay under the 50lb limit.
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Thanks for the insight. I really appreciate the info. I’ll run things by my LBS and see what they say about the hoses.
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I guess there’s one more thing I should mention. Usually, when removing the handle bar for packing, the stem is left attached to the fork steerer so it keeps the fork and headset components in place and unaffected. Removing an integrated bar/stem will leave the fork free to drop out of the frame. If removing the integrated bar/stem is feasible, I’d clamp a short cheap stem to the steerer to hold the fork and headset in place.
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Thanks @Saddlesaur . Now I’m wondering again if something like the Orucase Sentinal is the way to go. Even if I don’t get the LBS discount. Even though it’s technically a soft bag, it has a robust roll cage system and they claim something like 100,000 flights without any damage. It’s fairly light, and handlebars stay on. My lack of technical skill might make this integrated bar/stem/internal routing more trouble than it’s worth.
Add me to the list of BuxomBox fans but there are a few things to know with them..
- If you’re running a 130mm stem and E1 shifters, even the larger sized Ventoux case is just barely wide enough to not have your shifters up against the side.
- TSA will open your box and rummage around. They’ve never done me dirty but if I get to the airport in time I just ask to be there when it’s inspected and have had good experiences helping them get it open and repacked. I load mine up with helmet, shoes, tools, and kit, so there’s more for them to go through.
- The cases roll great but they are big – and you’ll get a fair amount of attention in the airport, at the rental counter, etc.
I’m trying one of the new Orucase bars-on options for my next trip just for fun – but the BB is staying as the fall back.
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Orucase has them marked down to $700 right now on their site, just fyi.
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AirCaddy boxes shipped my P5 a number of times fully assembled. I had to remove the riser/seatpost but it would have fit 44 integrated bars just fine.
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One of the reasons I’ve moved on from the scicon hard case I was using was dealing with security inspections, and it was a tight and specific fit. In Canada, you bring the case to the oversized security scanner and go through it with them and then repack it before it leaves. In the US it just goes away then they pull it apart without you there, and I was having issues with them not repacking it right so I felt it was just a matter of time that I was going to get damage due to improper repacking from that inspection.
With the new Thule case it is much more forgiving of someone else (TSA) rummaging through it and as long as they close it up it should be fine.
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