Choosing the right bike bag is crucial for cyclists who love to travel with their bikes. For years, EVOC bike bags were a popular choice, but as bike technology evolves, especially with integrated cable routing, cyclists are seeking alternatives. This review dives into a personal experience switching from an EVOC bike bag to a Scicon Aerocomfort bike bag, exploring the nuances of each for modern bike transport. If you’re considering a Scicon Bike Bag or an EVOC for your next cycling adventure, this detailed comparison will offer valuable insights.
Initially drawn to EVOC due to concerns about the perceived width of the scicon bike bag, the reality of travel quickly shifted preferences. The Scicon Aerocomfort, surprisingly, proved to be more manageable in various travel scenarios. Its shorter nose-to-tail length makes navigating tight spaces—rental cars, taxis, hotel doorways—noticeably easier. While the EVOC served well, the Scicon has become the preferred companion for bike trips.
One of the standout advantages of the scicon bike bag is its maneuverability. The 4x swivel casters are a game-changer in airports. Unlike the EVOC, which often required sideways maneuvering on baggage carts to fit alongside other luggage, the Scicon glides effortlessly. This smooth rolling is especially appreciated when navigating crowded terminals and tight spaces between bollards. However, it’s worth noting that EVOC’s larger wheels might offer better robustness on uneven surfaces like gravel or rough tarmac, should you encounter them over extended distances.
When it comes to storage, the scicon bike bag also presents a practical edge. It packs down more compactly than the EVOC, which is beneficial when storing it in rooms with limited space alongside other gear. While the EVOC might fold marginally flatter and could potentially slide under a bed due to its longer profile, the Scicon’s efficient pack-down is generally more convenient for cyclists on the go.
Packing and unpacking are integral parts of the travel experience, and the scicon bike bag simplifies this process significantly. There’s a noticeable reduction in fuss and time compared to the EVOC. The design of the Scicon allows for a more straightforward approach to securing your bike, fostering a greater sense of security with less need for extensive additional padding. This streamlined process isn’t just about leaving the handlebars intact; it’s about the overall ease and confidence in packing your valuable bike.
Bike size and geometry play a role in how well a bag accommodates your ride. For smaller bikes, like a 54cm Tarmac or similar sized gravel bikes with around a 713mm saddle height, the experience differs between bags. With the EVOC, saddle lowering was sometimes necessary, whereas the scicon bike bag typically accommodates these dimensions without needing to adjust saddle height. Neither bag required complete saddle removal, which is a plus. However, the EVOC presented an issue with shorter wheelbase bikes. The rear axle support in the EVOC bag could slide too far forward, leaving the rear of the bag’s support frame unsupported. This led to bending of the aluminum beam in the frame over time. While EVOC customer service was helpful in providing a replacement, the issue highlighted a design consideration, possibly addressed in newer EVOC models.
The scicon bike bag incorporates a unique storage solution for extras—a dedicated bag that fits snugly between the fork and bottom bracket. While this is an efficient use of space, it can lead to a front-heavy load if not packed carefully, making the bag prone to tipping forward. In one instance, during baggage handling, the bag tipped, and dragging resulted in minor damage to the fork’s paint and a small hole in the bag’s fabric at the fork tip area. This incident, while being addressed with the airline for repair compensation, suggests a potential area for reinforcement in future scicon bike bag designs to better protect against rough handling at this vulnerable point.
The decision to switch to the scicon bike bag was primarily for road bike travel. The EVOC, while now secondary, is still considered valuable, particularly for potential future trips with a mountain bike. The larger dimensions of mountain bikes might be better suited to the EVOC, whereas fitting an MTB into a scicon bike bag seems less feasible.
It’s also important to consider the EVOC model variations. The reviewed EVOC was initially a standard, non-pro version, later upgraded with an internal axle mounting frame. This upgrade effectively brought it to the Pro version’s specifications, except for the swivel front wheel. The lack of a swivel front wheel on the non-pro EVOC is a significant drawback, making maneuvering considerably more cumbersome, to the point of regretting not opting for the Pro version initially. Regardless of the version, the internal frame is deemed essential for secure bike transport, making the base EVOC model less recommendable for serious bike travel without this crucial upgrade.
In conclusion, while both EVOC and scicon bike bags serve the purpose of bike transport, the scicon bike bag, particularly the Aerocomfort model, offers distinct advantages for modern road bikes and ease of travel. Its maneuverability, packing convenience, and streamlined design make it a top choice for cyclists prioritizing efficient and secure bike travel. While the EVOC remains a robust option, especially potentially for mountain bikes or rougher handling conditions, the Scicon has emerged as the preferred bike bag for regular road cycling trips, despite minor areas for potential improvement.
