Sci-Con Aerotech Hard Bike Case

Sometimes we get it wrong at BCR and we are not afraid of saying it! We reviewed the Elite Evasion Hard Bike Case and said it was “probably the best hard box on the market”, but we did say that there is maybe a better one, but we hadn’t seen it, yet! Well I think we have seen it now, the Aerotech Hard Bike Case from Sci-Con. We strip it down for a good going over and a comparison to other bike boxes.

Sci-Con have been manufacturing bike transportation and technical sports bags since 1980 with typical Italian design, innovation and technical flair, they have the experience and research to produce the best bag or box for the job that it is made for.

First impressions

The first thing you notice about the Sci-Con Aerotech is the shape, not your usual square box, the Aerotech is sort of bike shaped, well a bike with the wheels off and packed on the side. The shape and design of the box disguises its internal dimensions, if you have ever seen the TV program Dr. Who, he had a time travel machine called the Tardis which was a Police phone box on the outside and enormous on the inside, well the Aerotech is like that, neat on the outside and a giant on the inside.

How Does It All Go Together?

When you open the case up you can feel the strength of the box, made from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) which is a softer kind of plastic that will absorb the knocks of transportation better than a harder more brittle plastic, as Sci-Con say, the box may get dented, but it remains intact and can usually be repaired. In side the Aerotech Evolution there is lots of padding for the bike and the wheels, let’s look at how the wheels are looked after, as this is one of the special facets of the Aerotech. The wheels are secured by quick-releases (supplied by Sci-Con) to the body of the case, slotting over each other and then protected by padded covers. The wheels are very secure and safe, no rattling around and no chance of them damaging the bike frame.

Wheels

Fitting the Frame in the Case

You should follow the packing instructions form Sci-Con as they think of everything; the padding on the inside of case takes care of the protection of one side of the frame and the wheel protecors on the other side.

The Aerotech comes with frame padding, these go round the tubes for extra protection, then with the saddle and seat pin removed, remembering to mark your position first, the handle bars and stem need loosening and turning across the frame, you then place the bike into the padded bottom shell and then fasten it with the internal safety belts so that the frame is hanging from the straps when its all upright.

Sci-Con thoughtfully supply a bag for carrying the saddle and seat pin separately, there is lots of room left for some bike clothing, but it is best not to place any heavy items in the case.

The Bike

You need to remove the left pedal to fit in the case properly, but the right pedal and the chain set can be left in place, something you wouldn’t dare to do in most other bike cases and definitely not in a bike bag. Personally I would take both pedals off just to be sure. Computers and any electrical bits must be removed as you need to carry them through customs control. Air must be let out of the tires and it is best to leave you water bottle in its cage on the bike.

Room for All

When It’s All Together

Once you have everything in the Aerotech Evolution hard case it all closes up with four locks, two of which have combination codes for security and away you go. The case is easy to move around as it has four strong thermo rubber bearing wheels and many hand holds moulded into the case its self.

The Technology

The Sci-Con Aerotech Evolution has:-
4 locks, 2 with combination.
2 built-in handles,
4 ergonomic hollows for an easy lifting,
2 fixed wheels and 2 revolving wheels for an easy transport.

Weight: – 11,5 Kg / 405,65 oz

Maximal external dimensions: 94 cm x 113 cm x 36 cm – 3,54″ x 44,48″ x 14,17″

Internal dimensions: base: – 114cm; height: 90cm on the right and 75cm on the left; diagonal: 133cm

Items Included In Aerotech Evolution:-

2 Covers for Bike Wheels.
1 High Quality padded interior.
2 Steel Quick Release for Bike Wheels.
1 Saddle/Shoes Soft Bag.
4 Antishock tubes.
4 Velcrostrap.

Optional Items Available:-

Security

Wheel/Tyre Cover.
Handlebar Cover.
Gear Bike Cover.
Rear Bike Cover.
Aerotech Cover.

Aerotech Evolution Spare Parts:-

4 Aerotech wheels kit + screws.
2 Steel Quick-release for bike wheels.
4 Locks kit (2 combi lock) + screws.

Personal Thoughts

The Aerotech Evolution is, for sure, the best Hard Case we have seen, its strong, it will protect your prized bike and it’s very manageable around the airport, you don’t need a trolley for this Case! The wheels are safe, all your things are secure and you don’t have to worry that your bike will not arrive in one piece. It has everything you need for taking your bike away for training or a holiday, worry free! For that extra comfort of mind you also get a world wide lifetime warranty, so lots of security.

Lots of Hand Holds

I could only think of one problem and its not the fault of Sci-Con, many carbon frames now have a built in seat pin, small bikes will have no problem, but bigger frames there is no chance that with that seat extension it will fit into any bike case, but that’s progress.

P.S. Giulia from Sci-Con has advised me that with the Aerotech case, if you reverse the frame in the box it should take any carbon frame with seat extension. Impressive!

Marks Out Of Ten.- 9.9, well we never give 10, but Sci-Con get very close.

If you win the Giro d’Italia you’ll get a pink one!

Dave Roberts wants to get away from the bad weather in his home country of Canada. He has read our review of the Sci Con hard case, but wants to buy bike transportation for a little less money. He has seen the Aero Comfort Plus also from Sci Con and would like hear what we think.