Soft Cases, your thoughts?

I, my SO, and lots of friends have made multiple trips on airlines with hard cases, soft cases and even bikes packed in cardboard boxes. I use a hard case, my SO uses a soft case. Both are built for bikes and we've never had any problems. It's all about how you pack the bike. Use the foam and the inserts for the dropouts.

The only bike that I know that got damaged didn't have the insert in the dropout and that's where it was damaged.

So in my (some number between n=1 and n=all of my friend's) experience, the soft cases is just as reliable as the hard case.

ETA: Neither the hard case nor the soft case avoided the extra airline charges and both end up weighing about the same.

Hello guys,

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I have a Pika Packworks and have brought my bike all over the country with it.  I love love love the case.   Never any issues with damage and sometimes I don't get the bike baggage fee. 

With regard to issue of hard case versus soft case, if there's a direct hit on the case, the hard case transfers the energy and the soft case absorbs it.  Plus there's so much padding inside the case, its unlikely anything will happen to your bike. 

It's nice to have another source to look at, but I would guess they found something considering there is a 19 month gap in the posts.

Have only used a soft case

http://aeruscomp.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16

And have never had any problems. One airline employee told me that something packed in a heavy hard case tends to get roughed up more (put on the bottom of a pile of other luggage) than a lightweight soft case. Of course the airline you use does play into this to a certain extent. On occasion I have even had my case go through only being charged as an extra bag.

If you have always used a soft case and never had a problem, that is awesome.

In my opinion, using a softcase to ship your bike is like wearing a hat and calling it a helmet.

I have one of these and think it's amazing

http://www.biknd.com/home.html

It's light. It's inflatable. You detach the rear derailleur and it's tucked away safely. You can fold it up when you get to destination and fit all into a small car. It's great.

The replies sort of sound like you've already decided on a soft case.  Maybe I should post some photos of the damage to my hard case from my last trip.

Flat carbon surfaces are your biggest risk.  A disc wheel is the most vulnerable, followed by deep dish carbon wheels, and then probably the downtube on a carbon aero frame.  Any of those items can get cracked or punctured by impact on a small point.  Like your bag gets tossed out and lands on a small wheel or handle of someone else's bag.  Not uncommon.

This.  PPWorks was the first to make soft cases and believe me your bike will be fine.  Plus you have a 50/50 shot of getting out of the airline fee.  

Make sure the total weight is under the Airlines's overweight fee (usually50lbs) Pack smart and useyour tri clothes to buffer fame and wheels.  I still wrap pipe insulation around large pieces ofcarbon.

Pre-pay for an extra bag (your bike).  Counter people don't want to refund then have you repay,blah, blah, blah.

Carry it on your shoulder (look how light it is!)  Smile, be pleasant, flirt a bit.  When they ask what  it is say "athletic equiptment for demonstrations).

soft case=your view your bike as disposable and can afford to replace it.

I shipped my bike through UPS in a hard case.  It had a hole in the side the shape and size of a work boot.

In a seperate time, I traveled with Delta.  My bike box looked like it had been tossed off the luggage dolly and slid along the tarmac.  The box was trashed but my bike came through OK.

Luggage monkeys tend to toss luggage and stack things on luggage.  I'd rather suck up any extra charges and keep my bike safe.