Ok, this is the first video I’ve done on VeloNomad, so please excuse the fact it’s not up to Gary Vaynerchuk’s standard! I promise I’ll get better over time.
Today on VeloNomad TV we have a pretty thorough look at the EVOC Bike Travel Bag. These are available from:
- Wiggle + Road bike adaptor kit
- Chain Reaction Cycles + road bike adaptor kit
- ProBikeKit + Road bike adaptor kit
Before we start, I want to quickly mention what I look for in a bike bag. All of these things, except price, contribute to the overall utility of the bag. Click through each item to skip through to that section.
- Agility/portability
- Convenience
- Stability
- Compactability
- Weight/Size
- Robustness/Build Quality
- Protection for bike
- Adjustability
- Storage
- Securing the bike
- Overall design considerations
- Price
Video review is below. Read on for photos and a breakdown.
EVOC Bike Bag Review from Tim Marsh on Vimeo.
Agility/Portability
One of the things I really like about the bag is its agility. Not quite as good as the Scicon, it nevertheless scores well. There are two handles on the front – one down low, and one about half way up – it is easy to pick the bag up at the front and wheel it along.
This is really important in check in lines where you need a highly agile bag. The Polaris or OEM bike pods by comparison, are horrible in this regard.
Convenience
You only need to take your handlebars off. Your seat can stay on, and so can your pedals though you can take those off if you want.
You don’t have to take the rear derailleur off, but for the 2 minutes it takes, I would. If you do remove it, simply tape it to your down stays and wrap it up in bubble wrap.
Stability
This bag is very stable and is not prone to tipping over. The Scicon AeroComfort Plus can sometimes tip forward and the Polaris bike pod tips over.
The only problem with stability is cross winds. If you’re in a cross wind (airport car park for instance), because you must lift the front of the bag off the ground to move it, the wind can tip it over. It’s not a huge issue though.
Compactibility
I didn’t take a photo of the bag folded down, but rest assured it scores well in the compactibility stakes, getting a 4/5. It folds down on itself and can be stored standing up in your house or garage, or somewhere in your hotel room, back of your car or campervan if on the road.
I stored mine away in our campervan storage locker for 1 month with no problems.
Weight and Size
First up, we take a look at the unloaded bag. It’s not too big at all. I got the blue asWiggle were out of black and said it was discontinued. Note that Chain Reaction have black, red and a special edition in stock. Since then, black is back in stock. At least I’ll spot it at the airport easily! This bag weighs around 9kg unloaded. You can see we have 8 handles, which are attached in a very robust fashion. There are 2 on each end, and 2 on each side; enough to keep the baggage handlers happy!
Unloaded Bag
Robustness/Build Quality
One thing I love about this bag is how good the robustness is. The bag has been designed really well. The zips are YKK and large gauge. They slide easily and have extra little grippers on them.
These plastic rails help keep the bag solid at the base.
Bottom of bag
The wheels are really robust and attached in a manner that ensures you won’t have a wheel come off (like what can happen on the Scicon Aero Comfort). There is a bunch of plastic that ensures you shouldn’t have cracking across the plastic attachors, which can happen on luggage bags.
You can also see the plastic bash guard on the back. This should provide protection for the rear derailleur (I say should, not will – make sure you add bubble wrap to your rear D/R).
Wheels
There is a whole lot of this tear-proof latex or rubber-like material at the ends on the top and bottom. This is great thinking as these are the areas most likely to get scratched and torn.
Bash material
Protection for Bike
Another outstanding feature is the protection for the bike. The padding on the top is around 4cm thick.
In the wheel compartments, two plastic pipes are inserted into holders on the flap. This provides protection for the wheels. There are two hard plastic plates protecting the hubs.
Wheel compartments
Hub plates
Plastic braces
Probably the only thing I’d be wary of is the rear D/R. In the photo below, you can see I’ve taped mine up to give it some clearance from the rear of the bag. I’d additionally add some bubble wrap in there too.
Rear D/R
Update from TDF Tips reader Ben.
Adjustability
This bag happily takes anything from a roadbike to downhill bike. Probably your only issue will be roadbikes with integrated seatposts. To fit my bike in I had to lower the seat down as shown in the photo below. So, if you have an integrated seat post over 100mm, you might be in trouble.
Seat down
You’ll need the the road bike adaptor kit (Wiggle, CRC) to “pad” the front out a bit. This goes around the forks.
The block that the rear chain stays and BB sit on moves forward and backward as required and is secured on velcro.
Bottom Bracket block
There are plenty of internal straps and the seatpost strap is able to moved to accomodate small, medium and large bikes.
Seatpost strap
Storage
In the image below you can see how much room is left for shoes, some tools, extra padding and so on, once the bike is in.
Bike in Bag
One wheel goes into a special wheel compartment on each side of the bag. Skewers come off.
Wheel storage
Securing the Bike
Plenty of straps mean you can secure your bike, handlebars and forks with confidence.
Straps
Utility
The wheelbase is wide enough that the bag doesn’t even look like tipping over, which is a design flaw of the Polaris Bike Pod, which has a very narrow wheel base which is uneven, so the bag leans to one side when unloaded, then tries to tip over when the bike is in it.
The internal material is surboard bag material, so when it gets greasy, some eucalyptus oil or citrus cleanser will have it clean in a jiffy.
All the other considerations contribute to provide a bag with a high degree of utility, or usefulness.
To keep the rear of the bag from collapsing on itself, the bag comes with 2 fibreglass stringers which slot into these holders in the back. Great design thinking!
Stringers
They simply come out when you need to collapse the bag down to store it.
Stringers
Overall
This bag gets a 4.5/5 for me. It is outstanding value for money, is reasonably light, has great protection for the bike and bag itself (rubber-like bash material), great agility, a useful number of handles and packs down pretty well.
It’s obvious the designers (German, I reckon) have really considered user utility as well as longevity of the bag.
It beats the other bags I’ve used including the Scicon Aero Comfort Plus.
If you are in the market for a bike bag, you won’t go wrong with this one.
Postscript. I have had a few people ask if you can fit your TT bike in. Answer is yes. Reader Chr3zzl3 sent in the below image. I’ve also had a few people ask about an integrated seat post. Answer is, it depends on your frame size. I’d be very cautious in that regard. Anything bigger than a size M might be sketchy. And that to me sounds like a fair enough reason to get a new bike, just for travel!
Argon TT in the EVOC
Price
Expect to pay around AUD$400 for this bag. I paid AUD$270 during a Wiggle sale (with Platinum pricing). I think given the quality of this bag, it’s a very reasonable price.
You can get the EVOC using the below links.
- Wiggle + Road bike adaptor kit – if these links don’t work, try this link for the bag and this link for the adaptor
- Chain Reaction Cycles + road bike adaptor kit (RBAK) – try this link for the bag and this link for the RBAK if the other two don’t work.
- ProBikeKit + Road bike adaptor kit,(if those links don’t work, try this link for the bag and this link for the adaptor)
(disclosure: these links are affiliate links).
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{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Tim,
I looked on the wiggle site and cant find the Evoc bag and adapter kit? (maybe i am not looking hard enough) Can we purchase from you at all? or can you recommend someone here in Australia.
Thanks Steve
Hi Steve, Wiggle appear to be sold out! I don’t know if they will re-stock, but, you can get the EVOC from Chain Reaction Cycles. I will update the post, thanks for the heads up! EVOC have a bunch of good bags on Chain Reaction, so make sure you spend enough to qualify for free shipping to Aus.
Hi again Steve,
Wiggle have these back in stock, or relisted.
http://www.tourdefrancetips.com/recommends/EVOCadaptorWiggle/
http://www.tourdefrancetips.com/recommends/EVOCwiggle/
Tim
Hi,
Thanks for this informative review. I pulled the trigger on one of these from Wiggle a few days ago, and I’ve yet to try it yet but it looks like it will be great. I’m packing an Argon E-114 time trial bike into it so I’ll need the road bike adapter which I did not order (it would be nice EVOC if you included this as a standard item).
Cheers,
Chris
Hi Tim, what is your experience with fitting this EVOC bag into a European rental vehicle such as Renault Megane or Passat Sedan or Wagon. This is the only bike on our trip, the car will have 2 adults and 1 child with std assoc luggage. Should it fit ok do you think?
Thanks.
Mars,
that is going to be a tight fit. Very tight. Even if you roll the bag up and get it in the boot, the bike will have to go on the roof.
I’d recommend a people mover (think Kia Carnival size of car).
Tim
Mars, you could get a Scicon Aero Comfort Plus. Or, a Helium. The Helium packs down well!
Tim
Tim,
Thanks for the informative review and great website.
Do you think the EVOC bike bag with bike in it would fit in the back seat of smallish type vehicle (e.g. somthing like a corolla), or would you really need to be able drop the rear seats and put the bag in the boot.
Looking at travelling with it and from experieince a lot of rental car companies provide sedans type models where the rear seats may not drop down.
Many thanks
Dave
Hi Dave
Thanks for the compliments and for reading!
Well, it depends on how many passengers will be in the car and what other baggage. Really, the EVOC doesn’t pack down as well as the BikeND Helium or the Scicon Aero Comfort plus. If I was hiring a car, I’d want something as big as a Commodore – I presume you’re from Australia, so you’ll know what this is. If you’re not an Aussie, imagine a bigger sedan.
Better still would be a station wagon, think along the lines of a Citroen, Renault, Passat and so on.
If you have a few of you, you’ll need to step up to a mini van or people mover.
How many people/bikes are going?
Tim
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the great website and review.
I will be travelling to France from Australia this year for the Tour de France and am looking forward to taking my Orbea Orca, will the EVOC bag protect my bike well enough to ensure that it makes it the distance or am I better off getting a hard case.
Thanks for the help
Isaac
Hi Isaac, thanks for the kind words!
I think it’ll be fine in an EVOC. I am taking my Look 586 in it.
Just have good insurance that covers loss/damage by airlines.
Tim
Tim,
I have recently purchased a cervelo P2 TT bike and am looking for a bike bag that will suit this type of bike and protect it. I have looked at aerocomfort plus, biknd helium and evoc. Can you recommend out of these 3 bags which is the best and suited for a TT bike. I am travelling to the noosa half ironman in october and need to pack bike up for plane travel.
Thanks
Anthony
Hi Anthony,
I can’t actually give you any feedback on the Helium – I’ve asked Chain Reaction, Wiggle and PBK (Wiggle said no) for a bag to review.
The EVOC might be ok depending on how big your TT bike is, and if the seat post is adjustable…prepare to pull the bars off though.
Aero Comfort might be best bet for the least amount of dismantling but you will have to protect the bag big time.
If I get my hands on a Helium from CRC or PBK I’ll review them asap.
Tim
Hi Tim,
Great review. One question regarding the size. I have a Ridley Noah, XL frame which has an integrated seat post. About 1 inch has been cut off to fit. Would this fit inside the travel bag, or can you suggest the best way to measure the bike? If my bike wont fit inside the EVOC, can you suggest another bag that would suit.
Thanks mate
Hey Callum
Inside bag from bottom to top is about 85cm. From top of BB block to inside top, around 70-75cm (depends how far you stretch it).
I have an XS Look 586 (removable seat post) and took the post out as it wouldn’t slide down far enough – and that’s an XS.
You could try a Scicon but I couldn’t confirm the inside dimensions. Will ask my mate who has one and he is pretty tall.
Tim
.-= Tim´s last blog ..TDF Tips site update, Survey Thanks, TDF Tim update, Videos! =-.
Hi Tim,
your bag reviews have steered me toward the Evoc.
I too lost a sci con bag wheel somewhere in France. Actually found the wheel and a replacement nut. Apologies to the next occupant of my hotel bed. The beds nuts were the perfect size. Used a fork for a shifter to tighten it back up.
Anyway thanks for the tip.
Nick
Hi Nick,
Thanks for the feedback. That’s a well funny story! The VeloNomad Scicon Aero Comfort Plus review is now up.
Keep breaking away,
Tim
Hi Tim,
i am traveling over to italy in May 2012 and am going to buy a travel bag/case and your review is leading me also to the EVOC.
my question is, i have a Small 46.5 giant rabobank isp. do you think this will fit okay into the EVOC.. maybe its lucky i am short
regards,
Ralph M
Hi Ralph
I think it will. Best bet is to measure from BB centre, to top of the seat. Earlier in the comments I said that from the BB block to the top is 75cm…
Hope this helps!
Tim
We’ve just purchased 2 of these for our planned trips in 2012. Without the road bike adapter fork adapter it seems this product is extremely difficult to use and the bike just doesn’t fit properly. And there is no-one, anywhere in the world, that has them for sale. Not even Evoc themselves. I doubt they actually still make them. To not include it with the product is almost criminal. I would suggest you DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT unless you can source a road bike fork adapter first. Or be prepared to manufacture your own.
Hi Stuart
Yep, they can be hard to find and the decision to sell them separately is confusing.
However, you can jury rig it by using towels or bubble wrap around the forks.
I’ll contact EVOC and let ‘em know!
Tim
Hey Stuart,
I emailed EVOC with this comment thread and their feedback (from the MD of Product) was that the bag was originally for MTB, hence it shipping without the adaptor. He also said that it certainly was available. He said that including the adaptor would increase the cost of the bag.
I responded and said that despite the original target market of the bag, things change and I had a well informed guess that roadies would make up a larger market now. I also said that including the adaptor would only add 7% to the cost for those who didn’t need it (and there’s a ready aftermarket on ebay). I also mentioned that Wiggle and CRC both don’t have availability right now, and often don’t.
Thanks for your comment! All very excellent additions to the conversation.
Tim
update: Look, I was a bit, umm, agitated when I wrote that post. I sourced the road bike adapter from the USA and all is now good with the bag, although I’m not convinced the way the bars are packed is that good as they will rub on the frame. But the adapters are now available in Australia. The distributor tells me they ordered 200! In Sydney you can contact Velosophy to order. See you at TDU12.
Hey Stuart – no probs at all! When you pack the bars make sure you use the padding provided and use extra protection. You could check out the post I did on how to pack the EVOC video and photos I did.
Decided on the Evoc based on this review. It arrived from Wiggle last Friday (13 January 2012). Quality is very, very impressive, looking forward to using it for my visit to the French Alps in the summer.
I got the road bike adapter from http://www.bike24.com. They’re a German retailer, I ordered the adaptor on 10th January and it arrived the same day as the bag! Cost €25 delivered so a little more expensive than Wiggle, but hey, I’ve got one!
Hi David
I’m really glad this review helped you decide, and more importantly, that you thought it was accurate.
Thanks for the heads up on the availability from bike24.com too. I am told Wiggle and CRC should have them in stock soon. For the Aussies, Velosophy in Sydney have them.
Tim
Tim,
are the wheels really well protected? I own Zipp1080 and Zipp 808 and I am really concerned about packing my wheels in the Evoc and then fly around the World with the airline guys throwing around my bag. Is a hard case the better choice for these kind of Time trial wheels?
Thanks for having your thoughts in this.
Cheers,
Marc
Hi Marc,
they are fairly well protected. Two plastic pipes on each side protect each wheel (2 per wheel). However, as with anything this is not foolproof. If you must fly with Zipps, then a hard case might be the go. Otherwise, if you aren’t entering a competition, maybe despec the wheels you take!
I took Durace clinchers the last couple of times – next time will be Open Pros.
Tim
Hi Tim,
Thank you for the detailed video review on the EVOC bike bag. I will soon be purchasing a new custom touring bike in the U.S. and bringing it down by plane to Mexico (where I live) I plan to do some domestic traveling as well. After watching your review, I’m very interested in this bag. I’ve never had issues at airports flying to/from Mexico (e.g., pilferage, etc.) but it always remains a concern when traveling to/from/in developing countries. I like the fact that this bag is light weight, yet seems sturdy. I have to play around with the 20 Kgs allowed for sports equipment with the airline I normally fly, so this bag also seems to work well. Now, can this bag be secure with good locks for both the main and side compartments? Also, could I fit removed full fenders in it? Would appreciate your views or concerns about this matter.
Thank you and keep up the great work!
Cris
Hi Cris
No worries, thanks for the kind words.
The bag can be secured with good locks for sure – obviously you want TSA approved ones. You will definitely have room for full fenders, if you are talking about what I think you are (detachable plastic fenders).
Cheers,
Tim
G/day Tim
I hope to do some travelling with my bike in tow and am looking seriously at the Evoc Travel Bag gauging from the positive responses on your site. I will be relying on public transport in the main during my travels to Europe/UK/North America. Would it be feasible for me to carry the travel bike on board a passenger bus, say to get from the airport to a hostel, in the locations outlined above?
Much appreciated!
Hey Sunny
To be honest, I think you’d be better off with the Scicon Aero Comfort Plus. The EVOC is a bit heavier and more unwieldy especially in light of the fact you’ll be train/bus hopping. If you’re only doing it a few times AND you’re not loading the bike bag up and you don’t have loads of luggage it might be ok, but I’d be more inclined to go for the Scicon under this scenario.
Hope this helps!
Tim
Hello Tim
Thankyou for your prompt reply! I’d like to think that I would be able to come up with a solution B4 I embark on my overseas trip in a few month’s time, in terms of procuring a reliable bike travel case! I am looking into off-road multi-day venues in places such as Moab (Utah) and Scotland Coast-to-Coast. Fortunately, both my hardtail and my dual-suspension bikes are lightweight, and I am hoping that this would go some way towards facilitating my movements when it comes to carrying a back-back and pulling a bike travel case along. Incidentally, my dual-suspension bike is a good quality product, brand new and not rode-tested as yet; and so, I would like to ensure that there would be adequate protection for the long journey ahead.
Can you recommend any light-weight hard cases with compact dimensions in order to better cope with the constraints involved with having to rely on public transport? A travel case which will accomodate both configurations, viz MTB and Cyclocross/Tourer, would be advantageous for future undertakings!
Also, I’ve just been looking at the Bigfoot Elite Series MTB Hard Case; it’s expensive, but it’s a joy to behold.
Regards!
Sunny GIAM
PS Re Scicon-Aero: I have referred to your review and can appreciate your sentiments, and I too am not so impressed with the quality of the product!
Hi again Sunny,
Can’t recommend a light-weight hard case as they pretty much don’t exist! Most hard cases (that can fit a bike) are quite heavy.
And, if you’re taking an MTB, probably the EVOC is your best bet as they were originally made for MTBs.
Tim
Hi again Tim. Just some feedback on my first trip with the Evoc. Returning from TDU in Jan my bag got sent to MEL instead of SYD, then back to ADL and then onto SYD. Although it survived the trip down OK, this multi-return route proved its undoing – literally. The zipper on the right hand side as you look at the opening un-zipped from the start point at the base. When my bike was finally delivered to me it was open all the way up the side so I’m lucky nothing fell out as I had my shoes, tools etc in there. The bag itself was also damaged. I know that this is caused by rough handling but I wouldn’t have expected the zip to fail so readily. The design really should stop the zip somewhat higher up as it took the full force of the rough handling. Two friends with exactly the same bag had no issues at all. Here’s a photo of the damage > https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarthickson/General?authkey=Gv1sRgCNqOnsjIyLHukAE#5730013905187194098. BTW, Qantas paid to have it fixed, which amounted to the zipper being stitched at the base to stop it unzipping again. The damage to the bag was not repaired.
Hi Stuart,
That is bad news that your bag being damaged is bad news (and made worse by Qantas’ failure to properly compensate you). I’m glad the bike was ok, and you didn’t lose anything though.
I might drop Qantas a line about it.
Would your insurance cover any of this?
Tim
Such a detail! That’s one of the best reviews for bike cases I have seen on the Internet. You could easily work as an editor at Engadget.com for such quality. I will Google+, Facebook like it. Congratulations.
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