Pika Packworks

[maxim809]

https://www.pikapackworks.com

I'm looking to get a Midsized Soft shell bag, and wanted feedback on this bags. In the past, I've owned and travelled with:

• Orucase B2 (Small Soft shell)
• BikeBox Alan (Large Hard shell)
• BuxumBox (Large Hard shell)

So I'm looking for a bag that's in that middle range where I do not have to take the fork out and has relatively good protection.

The one concern I had is around portability of this case since it does not have wheels. It seems fine if traveling from hotel to airport directly via car, but how bad is it if you had to do lots of walking on foot or do multiple transfers via trains?

Any general feedback around protection, packability, and anything else that comes to mind from owners appreciated. Thanks.

[Mr.Gib]

Long time Pika user.

Executive summary - love the bag.

Aprox 12 overseas trips X2 (Mrs Gib also has one) and zero damage to the bikes or bags.

What I like
1. The bag fits in a regular sized taxi, I don't need to find a van to transport myself and gear from A to B.
3. Very light weight.
2. Using the shoulder strap I can carry the bag like a shoulder strap briefcase. I have comfortably run to catch a train like this. But this won't work if you are very short. Wheeled bags are always great, but then you are talking about a different type of bag, case really - bigger, heavier, etc.

Things to be aware of
1. Significant disassembly of the bike is required. Handlebar off, RD off, seat/seatpost removed. Only works with non-integrated cabling.
2. Even though the bag offer excellent protection, I recommend increasing wheel protection. I place a layer of sturdy cardboard on the outside of each wheel. Makes a huge difference in overall sturdiness and protection. I also protect all tubes with foam pipe insulation.

[maxim809]

Got it. I’ve gotten really use to BuxumBox so I had not considered RD-off. I used to use packing foam tubes for all my boxes, but have since bought the Orucase Frame Protection Kit to make that portion of the packing a bit quicker and easier. Noted on the cardboard box for the wheels. Thanks, that builds confidence.

[Mr.Gib]

For the Pika, I even have to remove my brakes to allow enough slack in cables so I can strap my bar to the fork. With a disc bike, maybe the hydro hoses are flexible enough, but maybe not. You don't want to kink a cable on a bike trip. I think the Pika bag is excellent with rim brake and full external cables - that is what I travel with. On any of my disc bikes, removing handlebars and strapping them to the fork would be impossible. If I ever travel with those it will likely mean a different bag. One solution might be to remove shifters from the bars which you could do if the cables were secured to the outside of the bar and not routed inside. That would mean re-instal and new bar tape job, but I don't see that as a big deal.

[maxim809]

I should have noted I'm planning on Disc with integrated 1-piece bar, hoses all internal (shifting wireless).

I suppose it comes down to how slack the hose line is. I'm able to get the 1-piece bar strapped between the HT and Fork. But not strapped fully on the fork, if that makes sense. Hmmm.

[Mr.Gib]

If you can get the bar strapped to some combination of fork and head tube, you should be fine. But you will want to position the bar so the levers are tucked safely behind the fork. But this would mean that the stem portion of the one piece would be protruding foward. For this reason I would avoid the Pika bag unless you can get first hand reports of its successful use with full integration and one piece bar stem. Having a very small bike might make it possible - things are very tight with my 56 external cable bike. My approach when packing this (or any other) bag, is that it could be withstand a decent impact on any side without damage to the contents.