B&W 96002/N Hardcase bicyle shipping box revue

[LarryOz]

I have acquired a very large shipping box from B&W to test packing and shipping a complete Vendetta in.
Model # 96002/N - List price $450.
web site with details: http://www.b-w-international.com/product/bike-case/
First look: it is just cavernous: 52 x 35.2 x 13.8 inches
weighted in at 34.4 pounds with all internal packing "stuff".
I think the key is to keep the total package below 60 pounds for the good "
Here are some teaser photos - I will hopefully have time to take my Vendetta apart this weekend and try it out.



Large enough to ship a gnome and bike together. Breathing is the only problem I see.

This is our "large" 2o- pound cat that just loves boxes and new smells

 

[RojoRacing]

I was staring at the first pic for like 20 seconds thinking. Holy hell, $450 for a cardboard box? That must be some quality paper. Then I realized the box was inside the box :lol

 

[DavidCH]

$450 for a box? I hope it's the king of boxes! Just make sure it's got TSA approved locks on it, if not they will tear it apart and the item might be delayed on the plane. I should know about that one

 

[LarryOz]

$450 for a box? I hope it's the king of boxes! Just make sure it's got TSA approved locks on it, if not they will tear it apart and the item might be delayed on the plane. I should know about that one

So far I am really impressed with it. A Cadillac of boxes so far.
Really nice latches and straps. Something that would ship fairly cheaply with shipbikes (so probably save $150 each round trip when compared to having to send it on the airplane at $150 each way.
$450 is retail, but Bob found a retailer that was selling it for $370.
Cruzbike is already talking with the B & W for RAAM sponsorship, and I would not be surprised if B & W boxes end up being an inventory item on Cruzbike's product page for less than that.

 

[trplay]

For me that weight kills it. The magic number the last time I flew was to keep the total weight under 50 pounds (bike & box) and it saves you a lot of money.

 

[ratz]

Shipbikes.com is about $75 domestic one way for under 60 lbs as long as the tor dimensions are under a special formula that this case complies with. I can dig up the details next week.

There is also a bigger case that is much lighter. But both have dimensions that are too big for international shipping

 

[super slim]

I was staring at the first pic for like 20 seconds thinking. Holy hell, $450 for a cardboard box? That must be some quality paper. Then I realized the box was inside the box :lol

Jason, I thought Exactly the same thing!!!

 

[DavidCH]

You can get it into a smaller box if you fold the front assembly against the main body of the bike.

You can make it lighter by hand carrying your front forks too.

It's like a game of Tetris

 

[sitoudien]

34 pounds empty? Above 50 pounds you start to get penalized.

 

[LarryOz]

OK here is the testing write up and pics>
Nice clasps on the side


lockable briefcase type latches on the top, supplemented by large velcro strap


pull handle, and nice wheels on every corner and one in the center


It also came with a frame that you mount a DF bike to, but I could not figure out how to mount the Vendetta to it.


layer one:


layer 2

 

[LarryOz]

continued:
layer 3


layer 4 - padding between wheels and frame

the case is hardly filled
added another set of wheels just for fun:


Case is still not full: - side view;


Total weight with both sets of wheels, padding and wheel covers, just under 70 pounds.
Not too bad, but Bikeship has a maximum weight of 60 pounds.
I took the extra set of tri-spokes and bag off and hit 60 on the nose.
I think I would probably take my pedals (maybe even the whole crank and pedals off to make sure it was under 60 for sure.

Only problem I see is that the Box is hardly half full without the second set of wheels. You would have to get a bunch more foam to make sure the parts did not slide around a lot.

I then just laid out the bike parts on the garage floor to see what the minumum footprinte would be without taking the fork off.
I lookw like you could do it in 47"x27"x8", which is a little larger then B&W's next smaller case.
I think for me, I would get the next smaller case and just pull the fork off. It isn't really that hard to put back on once you've done everything else.
The smaller case is also about 10 pounds lighter, so it will be a little less expensive to ship.


I ran different sizes and weight through shipbikes.com also, and I did not find much different in the rates (less than $10) with the next smaller case and less weight.

Sample shipping costs using ship-bike: My zip in NC to Hot Spring CA 93207
large box I have 50"x34"Xx13" - 60 lbs : $91.98
large box I have 50"x34"Xx13" - 50 lbs : $91.98 (same price)
large box I have 50"x34"Xx13" - 40 lbs : $91.98 (same price - so weight does not matter)

Next Smaller (make have to take fork off)
Bike Box II - 46"x32'x11 - 60 lbs - $83.59
Bike Box II - 46"x32'x11 - 50 lbs - $83.59 (same price)
Bike Box II - 46"x32'x11 - 40 lbs - $83.59 (same price - so weight does not matter for this size either)

Even smaller: (would definitely have to take fork off)
Bike Box - 43"x32'x10 - 60 lbs - $81.78
Bike Box - 43"x32'x10 - 60 lbs - $79.72
Bike Box - 43"x32'x10 - 60 lbs - $79.72

If you could make a box just large enough for this footprint: 47"x27"x8" (this is leaving fork on)
48"x28"x10" - 50 lbs = $63.95

...
I have not priced bikeflights yet - ran out of time!

 

[CruzLike]

Awesome Larry.
I got a kick out of the pic of you in the case.
I think you need to find out how to incorporate the alum packing frame to support your bike. It looks like it will keep your frame from settling to the bottom of the case with anything else.
Do the tubes on the packing frame take the place of your hubs and you skewer your bike frame in place?

 

[LarryOz]

Do the tubes on the packing frame take the place of your hubs and you skewer your bike frame in place?

Yes, I believe so - only problem is that you save a good 3 pounds not using the frame - but you are right, in that if you can't mount the bike to the frame, all the parts will settle down to the bottle of the case.

 

[trplay]

Impressive size. If you leave the frame out and carry the tires, chain, pedals, you might be getting close to that magic 50 pound number for flying. My experience is most airlines waive the oversize bag restriction for bikes but never the weight.

 

[bazzawill]

OK here is the testing write up and pics>
Nice clasps on the side
View attachment 4508 View attachment 4509

lockable briefcase type latches on the top, supplemented by large velcro strap
View attachment 4512 View attachment 4510 View attachment 4511

pull handle, and nice wheels on every corner and one in the center
View attachment 4513 View attachment 4514

It also came with a frame that you mount a DF bike to, but I could not figure out how to mount the Vendetta to it.
View attachment 4515

layer one:
View attachment 4516

layer 2View attachment 4517

Hi Larry
Great box, however I am interested in the rear stay covers, I am too lazy to search the forum (well I tried and could not find it in under a minute) they look great and aero plus a good place for event number.

 

[Mathew Fy]

You would have to get a bunch more foam to make sure the parts did not slide around a lot.

Can you get some expanding foam bags like the Vendetta frameset ships with?

 

[super slim]

Larry thanks for a VERY detailed and well photographed report!

It certainly looks like the box is ideal for the MUCH cheaper road shipping throughout USA!

Did you shorten the boom/slider, OR are they still set up correctly?

 

[ccf]

How does the B&W bike case II compare with the Term AirPorter that the Parkers used for their European tour?

 

[3bs]

good old thread.
i use this same box. it holds most of my bents bicycles.

when i use this for the v20 i take the wheels off, then i take the boom off at the stem mount and i take the handlebars off but i leave all of my cables hooked up. i use foam blocks to keep everything in place. if i am travelling on a freindly airline like alaskan, i put my clothes bag in the bike box too. total weight, including clothes last time i went for a week was just under 80 lbs

 

[ccf]

@3bs by “this” do you mean the B&W bike case II or the Term AirPorter?