I’ve used my Dakine Bike Curler Bag for a few years. I like how straightforward it’s to pack and transport. Be taught whether or not it’s the correct bike bag for you!
I’ve been utilizing the Dakine Bike Curler Bag for over six years now when touring with my bike throughout the nation and internationally. From Mexico to Africa, East Coast to West Coast, this bag has achieved a fantastic job holding my bikes protected throughout transit and towards disingenuous baggage handlers. The one points I’ve had are as a result of I didn’t take sufficient precautions packing it (hey bent rotors…).
I do know that some individuals select to make use of a cardboard bike field when touring, which is okay for those who’re solely planning on doing a number of mountain bike journeys that require airplane journey, but when you understand you’ll be flying together with your bike a number of occasions within the coming years, a motorcycle bag is certainly the best way to go.
There are a variety of bike journey bag choices on the market they usually every have their very own professionals and cons. For those who’re procuring round, hopefully, this overview will make it easier to determine if the Dakine bike bag is the most suitable choice for you!
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Dakine bike curler bag at a look
$485
The Dakine Bike Curler Bag is a sturdy and dependable bike journey case that has simply sufficient padding and inflexible construction for good safety however gained’t put you over the load restrict.
Dakine Bike Bag professionals
Dakine Bike Bag Cons
Safety & Padding
As could be anticipated, the most important concern I’ve when flying with my bike is safety. Mountain bikes aren’t low-cost and the considered making an attempt to get any kind of compensation by way of the airways if one thing will get broken simply appears like such a headache.
Fortunately, after greater than a dozen journeys utilizing my Dakine bag, I can say that it does a fantastic job defending my bikes throughout transit (when packed accurately). After quite a few journeys, the one ‘harm’ I’ve had was bent rotors as a result of I ought to have taken them off within the first place…
The explanation I don’t give it 5/5 stars is as a result of the “360° padded safety” is a little bit of a stretch as a result of there actually isn’t a complete lot of safety within the facet panels. However, the outside bag is produced from actually powerful materials that has but to be ripped throughout my travels and there’s a small quantity of padding within the bag itself that does assist towards blunt drive.
It additionally comes with a number of ‘padded’ baggage and body protectors together with:
Tip: ask your native bike store for some spherical body safety ‘noodles’ for added padding when packing your bike bag.
Secureness & Stability
Bikes could be well-padded, however what if all the things shifts round inside throughout transit? The Dakine bike bag has a number of options to stop all the things from transferring round inside:
Rear triangle block
The froth block is designed to maintain the load of the bike off the rear triangle. The higher a part of the block suits between the 2 chainstays and permits your body to relaxation on the block. The block is secured to the bag by velcro, so it may be moved ahead or again relying on the size of your body.
I extremely suggest eradicating your derailleur and securing it to the chainstay. It’s fast and straightforward and can prevent the headache of coping with a bent damaged derailleur hanger, or worse a damaged derailleur.
Stabilizing straps
There are three totally different units of straps and clips within the Dakine bike curler bag:
- Two straps to safe the rear triangle
- Two straps to safe the entrance fork sleeve to the ground of the bag
- Two straps to safe every of the wheel baggage to the facet panels
These straps and clips actually hold the bike good and safe inside the bag and stop it from shifting round throughout journey.
The entrance fork and wheel clips are color-coded, which theoretically is sensible, however half the time I get them unsuitable and it doesn’t make any distinction.
My greatest situation with the Dakine Bike Curler Bag is that for those who pull too laborious on the rear triangle straps, the screw that fixes it to the bike bag pulls out and you might want to reattach it with a screwdriver.
Ease of journey
On the airport
Touring with the Dakine bike bag is, for probably the most half, fairly straightforward. It has two rolling wheels and a entrance seize deal with so you may roll it alongside behind you on the airport. It additionally has three handles close to the highest to assist load it right into a automotive or maneuver it round when you might want to.
I’ll say that it’s greatest to not need to wheel the bag for lengthy stretches, although. It’s cumbersome and awkward and I undoubtedly get forearm pump if I’ve to tow it for various minutes. If I do want to hold it a distance (say I’m stroll to a different terminal), I get a type of airport carts so I don’t need to wheel all of it the best way. Its makes transfers rather a lot simpler!
If you understand you will have to wheel your bike bag for longer distances, it’s possible you’ll need to try the Evoc Professional bike bag. This bag has a detachable entrance wheel that makes touring with it rather a lot simpler.
Within the automotive
If in case you have a hatchback, the Dakine bike bag will (normally) match properly both upright or on its facet. I’ve a Honda HR-V and I can match my Dakine bag upright or on its facet. If in case you have a lower-top hatchback like a Subaru, it’s possible you’ll solely be capable of match it on its facet.
If in case you have a sedan-style automotive, it’ll be actually tight to suit a motorcycle bag. I haven’t tried it, so I can’t say whether or not it’s doable or not, however I’ve a sense it will be a bit difficult. If in case you have a sedan, it’s possible you’ll have to name a good friend or get a journey to the airport.
Weight
Let’s discuss baggage charges. Flying with a motorcycle could be actually costly in case your bike/bag is chubby. Most airways cost a number of hundred {dollars} in case your baggage is over the load restrict.
The Dakine bike bag weighs slightly below 18 lbs, so if the load restrict is 50 lbs, which means your bike should weigh ~32 lbs. If in case you have a gravel bike or a light-weight cross-country bike you need to be advantageous, however you probably have a burly Enduro bike it could be shut. All this being stated, the Dakine bike bag is without doubt one of the lightest bike journey circumstances in the marketplace. Evoc baggage are nice, however they weigh a number of kilos heavier.
Obtain Dakine Bike Curler Bag Directions
The way it Compares
There are a handful of different choices when procuring round for a motorcycle bag. Listed here are two others to contemplate or head over to my submit on Bike Journey Baggage and Circumstances for more information and decisions.
Is the Dakine Bike Bag for you?
I’ve flown with my Dakine Bike Bag throughout the nation a number of occasions and internationally a handful of occasions and I’ve not had any points with harm to the bike or bag (don’t fear, I simply knocked on wooden…).
The bag itself could be very sturdy and the bike is safe when packed correctly. It’s additionally straightforward to get my bike(s) underneath airline weight limits so I don’t need to pay hefty chubby charges, which is basically appreciated.
Different bike baggage might have nicer options like an built-in bike stand, extra safety, or a entrance wheel, however they’re additionally heavier (and costlier) which is able to make it tougher to fly with out paying further charges.
Total, I’m tremendous pleased with my Dakine bike curler bag and for those who’re on the lookout for a easy however secure bag, I believe you’ll be, too!
The place to purchase
For those who’ve discovered this overview useful and also you’re fascinated with shopping for the Dakine Bike Curler Bag, think about supporting Two Wheeled Wanderer by buying it by way of the hyperlinks on this submit. The value stays the identical for you, however I’ll obtain a small share of the transaction, which permits me to proceed using and writing Two Wheeled Wanderer. Thanks on your help!
Have you ever used the Dakine Bike Curler Bag for journey? What has been your expertise with it? Have you ever tried a distinct bike bag? Go away a remark under!
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Thanks for the detailed review! It’s helpful to see real-world experiences with the Dakine Bike Curler Bag.
I appreciate the breakdown of pros and cons. It really helps in making a decision about which bike bag to purchase.
Interesting insights on the packing tips. I might have to try the foam noodles for added protection!
Good to know that it holds up well during transit. I’ve been considering this bag for my upcoming trip.
Nice overview! I’ll definitely keep this in mind when looking for a lightweight option for my bike travels.