Just found your Channel. I have used a Bike Box Alan for several years, and travelled to Kona, Lanzarote, Mallorca (both numerous times) and Finland. No damage ever to the bike or box, but two other types were damaged beyond repair. A couple of thoughts/tips: 1) I have a light weight track pump for travel purposes - the local bike shop may be some distance away. 2) Recently picked up a mini electric pump which does the job! 3) There is space in the box that can be used for kit etc. This means I have travelled with the bike box (for example on BA) as my main luggage (+ cabin bag) reducing cost, but don't put your shoes and helmet in there as if it gets lost you could still hire. 4) Tyres are required to be deflated (I have had this checked twice when travelling!) 5) I always travel with Duct tape!
Thanks so much for watching, Mike and for the tips! We put clothes in the box and a few extras (didn’t show it on cam) and it was so handy for that! Saved the suitcase being sat on to close 😂
Once I dialled in the best way to pack our bike boxes, including cycling kit, shoes and helmet, I took pictures and put on a file in my phone for future reference. Our weight limit with Jet2 is 32kg. For us , the massive cost saving against hiring bikes is huge. Good idea to put a strap though the front handle to pull the box along. But not an issue for me, only 5'10''.😢 Great content again guys.👍
32kg is whopper - love that. Thinking of all things I could cram in for that allowance 😂 without damaging the frame. It did make a huge difference having our own bikes. Felt so much comfier straight out the gate! Thanks so much for watching.
@Pelohun The stuff that we pack in the boxes is mainly bike jerseys, socks bibs, etc., so we are are conscious of not causing frame damage. We also put nutrition in our bottles and contain them in the frame cages.
Hi Guys , I have owned a Bike Box Alan for 8 years now but never use it now too much hassle, I hire the Evoc Bike Bag Pro , I have a Trek Madone with wireless group set & all I need to do with the Evoc is remove wheels & pedals , no dismantling handlebars or seat post it is so easy to pack 10 minutes max , yes it’s a unit of a box but has a removable handle to manoeuvre & plenty of room for kit & shoes packed in wash bags
Thank you for this, I’m due to take my bike to the Algarve next week in the same bike box, very helpful showing a beginner packing it, I must admit I still feel a bit anxious about taking my bike, still considering hiring to reduce the stress of travelling, I’ve got until Thursday to make up my mind. Thanks again for your video.😊
We loved hiring bikes to try different types out. And totally hear you on the anxiety and stress (plus faff!) have you decided? Hope you have a great trip!
Using your own bike always beats rentals. After using a rigid bike box, I went to a soft skin inflatable BiKind Helium. Great protection, easy to wheel and it packs down really small for easy storage. Great tip re the kit bags for discs 👍 Sadly, it looks like I'll have to buy more kit! 😂
It does! BUT, what I will say is when we both had our early bikes (as in second hand bargains we loved riding about on) hiring bikes meant being able to test ride a few brands. Which I absolutely loved. Help me get a feel for things as someone who was CLUELESS about bikes. Haha, honestly the bags are a great hack. Essential you get more kit 😂
Good video on it it does help others im with you taking your own gear and bike, also put an airtag inside of the box. Also id recommend looking at a Scicon bike bag that you got bike mounting on a rack. The bike box allan for the case and how simple the case is to hire is expensive considering a bike bag isnt that much more.
I don't think I could be bothered with the faff, and worry that the bike will arrive broken or not at all. I like the idea of hiring something nicer than my bike 😊 Great video.
Thanks for the review can you confirm how you managed to get the integrated handlebars in the box. Were they positioned the way the manufacturer suggests or did Issac position them another way due to the lack of brake hose length. Already have the box but time for a bike upgrade and concerned I won’t be able to use the box with new bike. Thanks in advance.
That part was a bit of a faff. As it’s a small frame, there was a bit more space in the box (and oriented in a different position) than if it was a 56/58. The first time we packed it, we ended up taking the stem off the bars, but on the second attempt we managed to squeeze it in. The frame was resting on top of one of the drops in one part which is not ideal, but got through the flight without any damage.
They've pretty much got the market cornered, and having used ones many times, they are easy to pack and offer great protection but boy are they flippin expensive for some blow moulded plastic !
@@Pelohun I'd also suggest using zip ties for securing the box closed, a mate had customs break into his and in doing so they wrecked one of the catches !
After a few trips with my Evoc Road Bike Bag Pro I was really interested and almost pulled the trigger on the BikeBoxAlan Triathlon bag. I thought I would have to go with the Triathlon box due to the integrated cockpit but it looks like you were able to put your SL7 in without issue? I didn't order a Triathlon box due to my gravel bike (integrated cockpit) bars are too wide so I would need a box for road bike, box for gravel bike and a box for mountain bike... which is a lot of money tied up just to fly a bike some where! I have an AirTag hidden on all 3 bikes (not well hidden but you know.. "hidden") so I always had a vague idea of where my bike was.
I watched an old video of beard on a bike (I think) where they used the triathlon case. If I remember correctly the only thing they had to remove was the wheels..
How do you find the Evoc bag? So I don’t have an integrated cockpit on the SL7, but there was no issue fitting it in! We’ve just ordered AirTags for Mallorca 312 as think a great shout. Can’t wait to see them floating over the ocean 😂
@@Pelohun you will have more anxiety with the air tags! Seeing the last update and your bike is still at check in counter and you’re sitting on the plane… then magically it updates and relief sets in. You’ll be glued wondering why it hasn’t moved 😂 Evoc makes a great bag, with semi rigid supports. It just looks like it’s been through airline employee hell after a few flights and you wonder if a hard case would provide more longevity.
Bring spare derailleur hangar Everyome i know who has teavelled with bikes recently has had them weighed and check in staff were absolutely strict on the weight limits If you are travelling to a major event like the etape there will be a gazillion BB Alans coming off the carousel so its worth personalising your box a bit
@@Pelohun I did the Etape last year & the special luggage carousel at Geneva Airport was like a BB Alan convention - hundreds of them coming off together
you can fit a gravel bike in one, but you can't fit the wheels in the recess. I just wrapped my wheels in bubble wrap and they were fine. Trying a ShoxBox this ywar (also rentable) as they look a bit better desgined (imho)
Is issac an engineer? I appreciate the attention to detail. This video will be linked on the QR code next time haha. Did he bring spare derailleur hangers as well?
Have you considered just using one of your old rim brake bikes for travel? It is much simpler to remove the fork and seatpost, which reduces the space requirements quite a bit. Would easily fit in the backseat of a standard car. Also, an aluminium frame is much more resistant to cracking than a lightweight carbon frame and it might take 20 minutes to set it up, if that. You could also pack it a simple cardboard box, and it might take 20 minutes to set up, if that. Disc brakes are more powerful, but they are more trouble to travel with. What really gives you a comfortable ride on a trip is your position and saddle, which you can set up at home on this secondary bike.
Hey! We did, but when we go away we tend to do quite a lot of steep mountain climbing so I prefer the larger cassette on my other bike, plus love discs for descents - feel a bit more confident with them especially if steep mountains have wet roads or small showers. This review was just for flying and using the bike box! Agree a take down for a car trip is MUCH simpler.
I’ve been looking at the triathlon one for my road bike as I think you don’t have to break your bike down quite as much.. has anyone used one of those versions of the Bikebox Alan?
I have the triathlon box. It is excellent. I use it for my Pinarello Dogma and all I have to do is remove the pedals and wheels- it takes about 10 minutes to pack the box.
