BIKE BOX £94.50 www.bikeboxes.co.uk.
The Bike Box is a product designed by cyclists for cyclists. When three members of the Edinburgh Road Club agreed that what was available to those travelling with bikes wasn't good enough, they decided to do something about it. The result is the Bike Box, a product designed to offer the protection of a standard bike case for the price of a good bike bag. The Bike Box is made of Correx plastic, an extremely strong but lightweight material. The plastic is cut to shape and folded to make each half. One half slots over the other and the two are held in place with adjustable straps. These straps also provide attachment for the shoulder carrying strap. The box comes with an internal sheet of plastic to which the frame is attached with more adjustable straps. A sheet of foam then covers the frame before the wheels are put in, and clear instructions make packing idiot proof. The box is big enough to take all sizes of bike, most without having to take out the seatpin, and there is plenty of room for extras. The box offers excellent protection. On a return flight from Ireland the box took quite an impact, marking the box but not the bike. The plastic does get marked, but it is flexible and thick, and is only really susceptible to sharp objects. The box is big and cumbersome but, despite the designers originally making some wheels to attach to the box, they haven't proved popular, with people preferring to use airport trolleys. This box will take all bikes, offers excellent protection and is easy to pack. As with all carrying cases beware not to overload it, and space is needed for it to be stored.
.jpg)