Inquiry Alantis Travel Bag

[Robert Joseph Ii Daniels]

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. 

[Jay Lonner]

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 <jay.l...@gmail.com> 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 <rda...@uw.edu> 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. 

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[Stephen Durfee]

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. 

[Armand Kizirian]

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. 

[Jay Lonner]

The big cardboard box approach has some downsides worth considering, though. For one thing you’ll almost certainly be paying oversized baggage fees for air travel. Depending on how frequently you fly that could fairly quickly run into enough money to buy dedicated bike luggage. There’s also the problem of how to store the box upon arrival to use on the return trip. A bag like the Osprey is pretty easy to roll up and stash in a locker or closet. Also, depending on where your travel takes you, a bike box could be very difficult to maneuver on multimodal transportation. The Osprey bag was pretty easy to tote around on the Paris Metro — a full-sized cardboard box would be a lot more challenging. If you travel with bikes a lot I don’t think you’d regret the purchase.

Jay Lonner

Bellingham, WA

Sent from my Atari 400

On Feb 21, 2026, at 8:26 AM, Armand Kizirian <kiziria...@gmail.com> wrote:

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. 

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[Julian Westerhout]

I would not count on airlines being ok with an overweight bag -- in my experience all bags are weighed (including boxes), and excess will be refused or charged -- this is big revenue for airlines. YMMV. If you overfill a box be prepared otherwise open and remove stuff at check-in. 

Julian Westerhout

Bloomington, Illinois 

[Peter Bridge]

I know this isn't responsive to the original question but let me please share that I've been flying for about 20 years with S&S bicycles. I now have three of them, including a Rambouillet that was converted by Bilenky.  The fact that I have three of them should speak to my opinion on the functionality and I simply want to remind the world that the option exists.  

Yes, you have to figure out how to manage the case.  I have a few different approaches, including groveling to the arrival hotel for storage, or nearby bike shops, or friends.  Yes, unless you ship the case, you probably have to return to the point of arrival.  On the other hand, it's a reliable and predictable and fairly bullet-proof solution.  

S&S bikes are unloved by the market.  I paid less for the complete Rambouillet, nicely built up, and including a hard case, than the Bilenky conversion cost the seller, so there are deals to be found, but not deals on specific, fashionable, or new bikes.  My first coupled bike, a Gunnar Roadie, I paid $1200 for with Ultegra and expensive wheels and a case.  Once I sold off the parts (I had lots of Campagnolo inventory on hand) I was into the frame and case for less than $400, about what the hard case costs new.   

Once, early on, I overpacked the hard case and the airline tried to hit me with a substantial surcharge.  I repacked the case and got various bits and pieces into my carry-on and avoided the surcharge thereby, but I had to sweet talk the security people.  In other words, I learned to always weigh the loaded case before going to the airport.                

~pb

Gunnar leaving Orleans and westbound on the Loire