"THE HELIUM BIKE CASE was created for globetrotters who travel with their bicycles on airplanes, trains or buses. Traveling with a bicycle has never been this simple: the Helium is light and easy to carry and its revolutionary inflatable padding offers unrivaled protection. Thanks to its minimal dimensions, it fits easily in the trunk of even the smallest cars. Every small detail has been looked into: the Helium bike case has special compartments for an extra wheelset and also for stowing you helmet, shoes and other essentials (pump, spare tubes, etc.) Developed with the input of pro cyclists, whose lives involve frequent air travel with bikes, The Helium is simply the best bike case on the market today. The Helium case is light, offers unsurpassed protections against impacts and allows you to pack your bike with only minor disassembly and without changing the adjustment of its components. "
http://www.biknd.com/index_en.html
I think that's way too big for carry-on (assuming you mean a plane)... although I didn't see that claim on their web site and some of the FAQs are about checking bags.
Looks pretty cool - "remove rear derailleur" sounds like the biggest PITA of the packing process. Can't find the price; not sure I want to see it.
That's too big for checked luggage too. Max dimensions for checked luggage is 62inches (L+H+W combined). That's remarkably small, 26x26x10." Impossible to fit a frame with normal 26 or 700c wheels inside unless it comes apart in the middle. And the box alone is 24 pounds, which is kind of ridiculous in my opinion. Especially when you consider the tools required to put a bike back together.
A box that big requires big time oversize charges, in which case you might as well use a big plastic case or a standard cardboard bike box. Or better off just ship it UPS/FedEx to you destination, it's cheaper domestically than flying with it.
There's a reason people pay big bucks for S+S couplings in bikes. They're awesome, and let you get bikes on plans without excess size baggage charges. I had my old Surly Crosscheck retrofitted with them and can't tell any difference besides being 6oz or so heavier.
http://urbanvelo.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/sscrosscheck.jpg
So removing the rear derailleur, the seat post, and moving the handlebars all around do not qualify as changing the adjustment of components?
I've been contemplating a folder because I travel frequently. But, it turns out that the folding size + case is often too big for checked baggage or carryon (as Brad is pointing out). Some people check their folders at the gate as if it were a stroller, but it seems like you are relying on the good will of the flight crew. Does anyone here have experience flying with your bike? It'd be so nice to be able to do that.
I have a bit of experience flying with my bike and it's all about S+S couplings. Especially when you're 6'2, my bikes are pretty big. That said, when possible I tend to ship it UPS/FedEx as it is then insured against damage and I don't have to deal with it at the airport on either end. Or just try to borrow one on the other end.
Other friends have had success taking their wheels off of their bike and carefully wrapping the whole deal in a painters tarp and then shrink wrapping the whole thing with plastic kitchen wrap and packing tape. Ends up looking like a tuba or something. Great for a sturdy polo bike, not so good for a lightweight fancy racing machine.
I may order one of these to try and take my polo bike on the megabus
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Product_10053_10052_174818_-1___
Too big for a plane though.
I have used the Nashbar bag on Greyhounds, no problem.
The carry-on bit was from the blog I grabbed it from. Copy and paste can be your worst enemy.
