If you're looking for a bike travel bag that can easily accommodate a bike with integrated handlebars and internal cable routing, the most important thing to consider is whether the case allows you the ability to leave your handlebars installed when packing. Many travel cases allow you to keep your fork left installed, but still require handlebar removal/adjustment. Consider a travel case that lets you pack your bike with the handlebars installed and in-line, and offers ample protection to the cockpit of your bike. Travel cases with aluminum or hard plastic reinforcement around the handlebars will offer more protection than a fully soft-sided case that just relies on foam to protect your bike. Check out the crush protection featured on our Sentinel Travel Case.

In general, most road bikes can be disassembled and packed into a bike travel case using a handful of common tools. It is recommended to have a set of allen wrenches (also known as hex keys) on hand, as most steps of the disassembly process will require a 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, or 8mm wrench. Some bikes feature star bolts (also known as Torx bolts) on common areas of disassembly, such as stem/handlebar attachment bolts. Common Torx bit sizes featured on road bikes are T20, T25, and T27, but it is possible to have star bolts in other sizes. Depending on the style of pedal featured on your bike, it may be helpful to have a pedal wrench on hand as well to assist in removal/installation.

When searching for a travel case that is beginner-friendly, consider a bag that doesn't require extensive bike disassembly when packing. When flying with a road or gravel bike, consider a case that allows you to leave your handlebars, seatpost, and pedals installed. Other important (and often overlooked) things to consider should be the educational resources available for the travel case (video guides, product manuals, step-by-step instructions etc.) and the customer service. Find a brand with knowledgeable and helpful resources and personnel that will enable you to travel with your bike confidently and safely.

The short answer is yes, it is recommended to remove the rear derailleur when using a bike travel case. It doesn't take much of an impact to the rear derailleur area to have an effect on your shifting and your drivetrain as a whole. To guarantee that your bike arrives without damage to the rear derailleur, it is recommended that this component is removed when packing. Many bike travel case manufacturers will report that their products protect the derailleur against damage sustained in transit, but this is hard to guarantee. If you do opt to leave your derailleur installed on your frame, it is recommended that you add additional protection (such as foam or a towel wrapped around the component) when packing to protect against inevitable impacts/jostling experienced in transit.

The vast majority of bike travel cases are not designed with convenient storage in small apartments/accommodations or transportation in small cars in mind. This can force additional expenses, such as requiring transport in larger vehicles (bigger rental cars, upgrades to Uber/Lyft XL etc.), or inconveniences, such as storing a giant piece of luggage in a small hotel room/garage/etc., onto those who want to travel with their bike. The reality of owning a bike travel case is that the vast majority of the time it is not in use, and ease/convenience of storing the case should be a consideration when purchasing. Hard-sided travel cases / bike boxes can be extremely difficult to store when not in use, as they do not have the ability to fold down / collapse in size. If the overall size of the bike travel bag is of concern to you, then a 'compact' travel case such as the Orucase B2 would be the ideal solution. The compact nature of the case allows for easy transport in any sedan/smaller car as well as convenient storage while packed with a bike, or while stowed and not in use.

The best thing to do before flying with your bike or purchasing your airline tickets is to verify the bike / baggage policies of your airline of choice. The current policies and fees for the majority of popular airlines are posted in our 'Complete Guide to Flying with a Bike' online, but they can also be located on the airline's website or found with a quick search (i.e. search 'United Airlines bike policy' on your browser). You should look for any fees associated when checking your bike travel case as luggage - weight, size, or special sport-equipment allowances are common. Many airlines are bike-friendly and will not charge extra if the case is packed within certain weight limits, however, other airlines will still charge exorbitant fees for bikes and other sports equipment.

The most important features to consider when traveling internationally with your bike are the durability / protection offered by your travel case, and the overall size / compactness of your travel case. Make sure to select a travel case that offers sufficient protection to your bike and has been constructed with durable materials - you don't want to end up on the other side of the world with a bike case that has a busted zipper or a broken wheel, forcing you to figure out a solution for the return flight and adding stress to your travels. Regarding sizing - many international airlines will not accept large pieces of luggage without special arrangements, so having a compact travel bag that falls within size/weight requirements can help guarantee your bike makes it on the plane with you. Many rental cars/taxis/city transport options available internationally are vehicles that are much smaller than what may be available when traveling domestically - another reason why a compact travel case like the Orucase B2 may be a key travel solution.

There are a couple of key measurements and dimensions that can be helpful to reference when selecting a bike travel case for your needs. If the bike case features a dropout mounting/attachment system, then your wheelbase is the most important dimension. This is the distance from your front axle to the rear axle, and the measurement can either be taken manually or oftentimes can be found on your bike manufacturer's website. If the travel case allows you to leave your handlebars installed, verify that your bars will fit within the maximum allowed handlebar width. For travel cases that require you to turn your bars 90° when packing, measure the 'depth' of your bars, or the distance from the front edge of your shift/brake levers to the rear of your stem. If you're unsure on sizing, we recommend that you reach out to the bike travel case manufacturer with specific bike-fit questions.