The first thing you'll notice about the Biknd Helium Bicycle Travel Case is that it has air bags for your bike. We should note, by the way, that it doesn't use helium in any way -- just air. The name 'Helium' stems from the lightness of the case. It weighs only 24 lbs empty, and considering the level of protection it provides for your bike, that's darn light. The air bladders are a big part of the story, but many less obvious details make the Helium Travel Case one of the best values in protection per dollar for your bike. For starters, it uses super tough 900 denier ballistics nylon and 1200 denier polyester Oxford cloth on the outside. At the stress points where the hubs lie inside the bag, tough plastic shields are used to protect your hubs and offer protection for the bag as well, since this would be a prime spot for abrasion if left unprotected. Similar plastic shields are used on the inside end of the hubs as well, and they're strapped into place so they'll never fall off during transport. On the subject of wheels, the Helium is unique in that it can store two pairs of wheels with the bike. So go ahead, take your aero wheels and your lightweight wheels for the days when you'll be high in the mountains.The Helium Travel Case is easy to load because it zips open to lay completely flat. You'll have easy access to the fork mount -- no more finagling deep inside a dark box to secure the fork tips to the skewer block. Biknd includes pads for the fork leg, stem, and drivetrain to protect your bike's finish from scratches or abrasion. As you fold the case towards the secured bike frame, the inflatable bladders fold over the wheels on either side of the bike, separating them from the frame. And once the case is all zipped up, you'll use the included pump to inflate the pneumatic padding to fill the space between the wheels and frame. Other details include nylon sleeves to keep the wheels from abrading each other and a nylon rear hub spacer to protect the rear dropouts.
F**L
A case with 5-star potential, but a severe bike/potentially life threatening flaw.
I traveled with this case once; two direct domestic flights. 1-way was OK. On the way back, one side was completely deflated and my break lever was messed up. I contacted the company and they quickly sent me new - more durable air bags.Question is... why didn't they send more durable airbags to all their suppliers if they acknowledge this is a product problem and developed more durable airbags? Especially when a deflated airbag easily results in damage to a multi-thousand dollar group set, or worse- a hidden crack in a carbon frame that could result in injury or death. This company-accepted risk to people's bikes and lives is my reason for 2 stars, not 5 stars.The case is otherwise fantastic. Packing is easy. It's easy to roll around - it's like it's floating behind me. I would recommend more secure, obvious handles for security to grab, so they don't grab the tightening straps. I would also recommend extra padding for protection when air deflates - something like foam padding with Velcro straps.
C**E
Good enough, if you can find it for <$400.
Works but overpriced. I purchased this for international air travel, it failed on first trip from Alaska to Central Africa (between flights 3 and 6), broken strap that retains the front hard plate at the top.Although it appears sufficient, I have found several short comings: There is no protection for the derailleur area (it should have a hard plate like the front of the case has). The bag is too small for a 29" MTB with two sets of wheels. The air bladder does not keep air and it appears to be superfluous, I removed it finally. Protection for disc rotors is insufficient, they can be damaged (put out of true) with handling. There is not an obvious place to pick up the bag vertically, only a pull handle. This pull handle is well secured to the plastic plate with metal rivets, but the straps that it buckles onto the top of case are only sen, poorly (this connection failed).Design needs to be improved, these deficiencies are too obvious and easy to fix. $600 is too high price.
B**W
Great case design, poorly manufactured
Original posting in early 2013Pros* Rolls easily and true* Well organized -- easy to pack the bike and keep pieces organized* ProtectiveCons* As noted elsewhere, sometimes the case loses air during travel (not sure if its from TSA inspection or leaking)* It is pricey (but I would pay it again)Updated posting 11/11/2013I am sad to say that I had to return this case because of poor workmanship. After the second time I flew with the case this year I noticed that the stitching that connected the zipper to the hard front cover had a small loose area. After the third time I travelled with the case, there was a large hole that caused problems with zipping the cover on. Also the main zipper cracked on one side so it was very difficult to zip up. The foam block that holds up the bottom bracket came lose, and one of the air bladders would even stay inflated for an hour. Very disappointing because the design is so good. The company I bought it from send me Return authorization with UPS,and after checking the product they gave me a full refund.
N**N
Good idea...poor execution
Purchased the Biknd Helium because I bought into the idea of a lightweight case that would protect the bike with air cushions. Sounded like a great alternative to heave hard-shell cases.Bike fits very well. It's light. Everything seemed fine...up until the second trip.On just the second trip one of the air-cushions (air-bladders they call them) seems to have punctured and won't hold air. Bag is no longer of any use...unless you want to risk sending your bike without protection.Very disappointing.In addition to this mayor liability, there are a series of design flaws:- The pump is of very poor quality. The hose neither locks into the pump nor into the air-bladder. You need to hold it at both ends. So, if you're like me and only have two hands, you're going to need a third party to help you or start doing all sorts of acrobatics.- There's no way to lock or hold the two pockets on the top where you're supposed to put the seat, seat post, and the pump. Hope those don't get stolen.- There are no handles on the top of the case. There's nothing to hold onto to lift or maneuver.I'm off to buy a another, better case.Hope this helps.
I**Z
Great bike Case
Love the product, havent use it jet but is great everything looks good, very simple to store and move, I fully opened and looks very good quality and hope that the air bags will work ok, and will consider to put some extra cushing on the back as is not that protected as mention in other comments, even that no one on this web site or other have experience damage on the back of the bike.
M**I
i did liked the product but it arrived all black and i've chosen red/black...
i liked the product, in fact i knew it , but i've chosen red/black and received all black..unfortunetly i brought to brazil and realized the mistake here .. but its ok ..it was a gift , and its not possible to change anymore
A**R
Pleased
Best bike bag. Well done.
B**1
Awesome Bag
I used this bag to travel overseas. I was able to pack a large frame Specialized S-Works Epic 29er. Fit perfectly.
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