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Scicon AeroComfort 2.0 bike bag

8
£475.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Expensive, but more than capable of doing its job; travel just became much easier
Weight: 
8,900g
Contact: 

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Having taken the Scicon AeroComfort 2.0 bike bag across both the world by plane, and London via the underground, I am suitably smitten. Its cavernous size and ease of use make packing a breeze and travelling stress-free.

Riddle: When is a bike not a bike? When it's inside the Aerocomfort 2.0 and it simply becomes luggage. No, it's not particularly funny, but it makes travel via train an absolute doddle; no more stressing about booking bike spaces, simply wheel the over-sized case on its wheels into the guard's wagon and you are done.

The bag is sufficiently large that as well as your bike and its wheels you are able to add a few other items in the floor space to bulk it up, at 9kg plus the weight of a bike you may be getting close to the plane limits, so be careful with this one. If you cram too much stuff inside the case it can be a bit of a pain to transport, so it's worth experimenting to find what works for you.

Putting the bike in the case is straightforward enough. The first attempt, including reading the instructions, took about fifteen minutes and after a few goes it can be done (mistake-free) in about five. Simply remove each wheel and attach to the quick releases inside the bag, effectively bolting the frame to the base, and cover the rear mech with its big guard. Then remove the wheel quick releases and put them inside their own little pocket, put the wheels in their internal sleeves, put foam on handlebars and chain-stays, then secure it all tightly with the four internal straps. Other than the wheels there's no need to undo anything else, including in my experience, the pedals.

As long as the straps are tight the bike will stay put; it really is very securely fastened down, with five separate points of contact, and the whole case is kept tightly closed by an internal strap between the wheel slots.

All the fabrics are heavy-duty and have shown no signs of wear despite aircraft and coach holds. I have snapped one plastic D-hook, but that was easily replaced with a mini-carabiner. There's a good chance it was caused by my impatience and tugging too hard to get through crowds.

It comes with a TSA-approved lock, ensuring it can be kept secure in transit with a simple four-digit code. (TSA approval means security staff can unlock and relock it again without breaking anything.)

The castors make travel relatively easy, though if the ground is rough or bitty then there can be issues '' I have a one mile walk between train stations on my commute with it '' but in general they are pretty good.

At £475 (shop around, natch) it's a big purchase, but if you are a frequent traveller then the ease of use is almost certainly worth it. I liken it to the cost of a lock. Would I spend that amount on a case for a £500 bike? Probably not, but for the best bike, or if you are away on a foreign sportive then it seems prudent.

Verdict

Expensive, but more than capable of doing its job; travel just became much easier

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Scicon AeroComfort 2.0 bike bag

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Ideally suited to those who travel frequently, it's a common choice among journos and pro teams alike. It really does make travelling with your bike a lot less stressful.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Material:Body: Nylon 840D Ripstop PE backed Bottom: Waterproof PU Diamond Texture. External Dimensions:L 118cm x D 45cm x H 90cmFolded DimensionsL 106cm x D 24cm x H 29cmFrame Limit:Any bike frame up to 65 cm.

And because of the rigid frame there is no need to remove or move handlebars or saddles so your dialled-in position can stay that way.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well thought out, solidly built bag.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

It's extremely capable as a transport bag, its downside comes really from it's weight which may be a limiting factor for some. Ease of use is superb.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Apart from one plastic clip breaking, it's been holding up to plenty of trips really well.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

It's 9kg, thats quite a heft before you add the bike in. Having said that, it's certainly lighter than rigid cases.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Easy to use, simple straps for pulling, a doddle.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Good if you will use it a lot, even better if you can find it at a reduced price.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

I thought it was really good indeed. Made packing simple, and transit became much smoother.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Peace of mind, no gaffing about with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Pulling the bag along uneven and gritty surfaces, causing the wheels to jam like a shopping trolley.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

For frequent travellers, on coaches and trains as well as planes, it makes the whole process much, much simpler, smoother and far less stressful.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 176cm  Weight:

I usually ride: WyndyMilla Massive Attack, Raleigh SP Race, Hoffman BMX  My best bike is: WyndyMilla Massive Attack

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, Adventure-packing, crossing-countries

 

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6 comments

Avatar
breffni | 6 years ago
0 likes

Note that the Aero Comfort Tri WILL NOT fit a XL Specialized Shiv or a Roubaix 61cm without taking the handle bars off. The advertising by Scicon "One size does not fit all" up to 62cm is not correct. It is a good bag and easy to pack if your bike is small/medium or large but not xl or above 59cm frame.

 

Avatar
simonmb | 6 years ago
0 likes

Recently purchased one - easy to pack, and easy to wheel. The addition of permanent handles / straps would be a bonus for picking off the luggage carousel though. Whichever bag you're thinking of buying - just do it. It really is a case of 'have bike bag, will travel'. 

Avatar
themartincox | 9 years ago
0 likes

Exactly what ianj said, it's a doddle to use, even with an ISP

Avatar
step-hent | 9 years ago
0 likes

Quick question: it looks like you don't have to remove the seatpost and saddle - is that correct? My best bike has an ISP and I'm looking for a sensible way to transport it by plane. If it could fit in this, I think it might be the solution...

Avatar
ianj replied to step-hent | 9 years ago
0 likes

no need to remove seat post, saddle, pedals or turn the bars- simply bolt the bike to the frame and you are done. Well apart from taking the skewers out the wheels and putting them in the bag !!
The frame is "bolted" to the frame with quick release skewers which are specific to the bag not the ones from your wheels lol
No need to rebuild your bike at all when you arrive. If the pros use these then you cant really go wrong !

Avatar
ianj | 9 years ago
0 likes

Best bike bag by far..i travel abroad a lot, to Italy mainly but have never had a problem and am ready to ride in 5mins. Especially handy when I have a coaching job, the plane is late and my client is waiting for me !!!! Just pad the frame, forks etc with some foam pipe insulation and job done. Cant recommend Scicon enough.
rule5cyclingcoaching.com

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