ProView – Thule RoundTrip Bike Case Review

Sometimes, it just doesn’t make sense to drive to the trailhead, especially when you’re planning on riding trails you’ve long dreamed about that are cross-country or even international. While most of us are familiar with various bike options for our vehicles, including roof racks, hitch racks, tailgate pads, and more, flying with a bike isn’t as common as traveling with skis or other outdoor equipment. If you’re in a destination for long enough, renting a bike can be prohibitively expensive, or maybe you need your own ride for races, or otherwise. However, getting your bike safely across airports, shuttles, and long-haul flights can be a challenge. That’s where a travel case like the Thule RoundTrip MTB Bike Case becomes essential.

I found myself in need of a bike bag while travelling to Canada to bike British Columbia’s iconic North Shore, along with the rugged singletrack of Penticton and Kelowna in Central BC. And then again to visit the loamy flow trails of Vermont, from Stowe to the Northeast Kingdom. Exploring the slick rock slabs of B.C. to the rooty descents of Vermont, the RoundTrip would transport and protect my ride every step of the way. With long-haul travel ahead and terrain that demands a dialed setup, keeping my bike safe, secure, and easy to reassemble was key. 

Bike Fit

The Thule RoundTrip was surprisingly easy to use, fit my trail/enduro mountain bike, and handled incredibly well during transport. On this trip, I packed my Canyon Spectral, sporting 27.5 wheels and a fairly slack frame geometry, and it fit no problem.

This case will carry most mountain bikes, fitting wheelbases up to 130cm and tires up to 29 x 3.0″, and will also fit any road or gravel bike. Accommodating multiple bike types was super appealing to me in case I ever needed to pack a road or gravel bike (Think road biking the Alps, gravel riding through South America … a guy can dream). 

Look/Style

The case has a sleek design and comes in one color, all black. Odds are, look isn’t on the top of your list when looking for a bike case, yet Thule did a great job keeping this utility gear piece stylish. 

Features

Here is where the Thule RoundTrip truly stands out. It is absolutely packed with features! 

Let’s start with one of the more unique features, an integrated bike stand. The bike is dual purpose, both locking your frame into place for transport, and upon departure/arrival, it packs into a full-fledged stand that you can use to easily reassemble the bike, AND do any maintenance that might be needed while on the road. The bike stand is quick and easy to both build and stow, and is intuitive from the beginning.

The stand/case has a neatly designed multi accommodating front axle piece that allows for all bike types to be compliant with the case.

A stowable front wheel doesn’t seem like a key feature, yet I found this to be absolutely essential when getting to and from the airport. Wheeling a carry-on, backpack on my shoulders, and pulling the RoundTrip at the same time was surprisingly easy. The stowable front wheel allows one-handed transport to and from the baggage counter, swiveling on a dime. 

The case also features a design that accommodates compact storage of the case while you’re not using it. If you’re like me and have too much gear, storage is always a problem. Being able to get this bulky case packed away in a reasonable size is a game-changer. 

Weight/Packability

With so many features and a robust build, this case isn’t light. Weighing in at 31.8 lbs, it’s hefty. When you add a 30+ pound mountain bike in the mix, you’ll be looking at a mid-60 lbs packed weight. I weighed my Canyon in at 29.8 pounds, and with tools, etc, all stowed away, the bag was around 65 pounds packed.

The bag has handles in key spots to assist with moving, but it can be difficult to pick up and move around. Another thing to consider is the checked bag cost. Most airlines have limits on weight, and 50 lbs is usually a cut-off. I ended up paying fees for overweight baggage on this item via one airline (United), while another (Air Canada) did not charge. 

Function/Performance

With so many parts, this case was intimidating at first glance to use; however, after watching Thule’s How To video, it was super easy to understand. To stow your bike, you’ll have to remove the front wheel, attach it to the integrated stand, and then remove your pedals, back wheel, and disconnect the handlebars from the stem. There is a drivetrain wrap that protects and secures this integral part of your ride, and when you stow your wheels, there are rotor-specific protections that ensure your brakes make it to their destination unbent and perfectly functioning.

All said and done, over both trips, I had eight total flights/airport transfers. The case held up 100% with zero damage to the bike or the case. Because it’s an oversized item, you pick it up at the special counter, and I witnessed baggage handlers toss it around. Yet, all the padding and durable material withstood these tests. 

Without fail, after arrival at each destination, there was the tell-tale sign of TSA/CATSA security screening, identified by the search sheet left in the bag. Despite being searched by security, the case was intuitive enough for TSA to repack and keep everything in its necessary spot. 

Durability/Construction

This beefy case is an absolute tank! The bike case has a molded HDPE bottom tub and rigid side panels reinforced with 5mm corrugated polypropylene. As I mentioned above, there were no durability issues, and I look forward to using this over many trips and years to come.

Friendliness to the Earth

Thule reports that the RoundTrip is made with Bluesign-approved 600D polyester and tarpaulin fabrics.

The Final Word

If you love your bike and it’s expensive (of course, that’s a yes to both,) then there isn’t a better way to get your bike to its destination when flying. The integrated stand comes in clutch and the design and ease of transportation are second to none. 

The weight of this case may be its only knock. Yet, while this can be annoying from a baggage fees perspective, I think the extra weight and price is well worth it. Knowing my bike is secure and avoiding bike rental fees on a lengthy trip is well worth the incremental added trip cost. 

The Thule RoundTrip is a robust chariot for your precious steed. This bike travel case is packed with features that make it a breeze to quickly pack, stow, and wheel your ride to the airport. Upon arrival, swing by oversized baggage, find your bike safe and sound, and get to the trails rest assured. Packing, subsequent reassembly, and maintenance of your bike is a breeze with the integrated stand.

At an MSRP of $999.95, this bag ain’t cheap. But can you put a price on keeping your (mostly-likely eyeball eyeball-poppingly pricy) bike safe? Durability-wise, this investment will pay off over the years of use. 

Oh, and how was the riding? Unreal. If you can find your way to Vancouver, Mt. Fromme is a must. Check out Smith Creek in Kelowna, and Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom has an absolute MTB vibe.  

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