Transfer Case FAQs
Fitting
The Transfer Case carries a full-sized road or gravel bicycle up to 62cm in size. Please see sizing guide in the Transfer Case page for instructions on how to measure your frame to ensure it will fit or write us an email (info@postcarry.co) with your frame information and dimensions and we can see if it will fit!
There are a few things to consider since your bike may fit either the 135L or 150L. If your bike is a pure road bike (intended for 32C tires or smaller), your 56/Medium frame will fit the 135L. If your bike is a gravel bike, especially ones with high-volume gravel tires, your 56/Medium frame will be a better fit in the 150L (assuming your frame's dimensions fit within the geo chart shown on the Transfer Case page).
We recommend using the 150L case for frames with headtubes taller than 17cm, regardless of the manufacturer's stated frame size. Frames with a headtube or diagonal length measurement greater than what’s listed in the chart above will not fit. Again, feel free to email us (info@postcarry.co) if you have any questions about fitting.
Newer bikes that feature "Integrated Cockpits" (for example, bikes that have the brake cables/housing routed internally into the frame through the stem) are not compatible inside the Transfer Case because the integrated cable routing prevents the fork being removed. See our Packing Videos to understand the level of disassembly needed to pack your bike in the Transfer Case.
Simply put, the fork needs to be removed in order to pack your bike in the Transfer Case. As long as your bike's brake and cable housing enable adequate fork, handlebar and stem repositioning, it will fit inside the Transfer Case.
There are some exceptions and certain integrated cockpit setups can fit in the Transfer Case, but we recommend this for skilled home mechanics only. Read more about it here.
The Transfer Case was not designed for frames that have a seat post integrated into the frame or those with an extended seat tube (and use a seat mast topper to attach the saddle). However, there are some frames with this style of seat post that are short enough and allow it to fit in the Transfer Case. Please email us (info@postcarry.co) with your frame information and dimensions and we can see if it will fit!
One-piece handlebar/stems DO fit inside the Transfer Case. Unless you have a drastically angled, positive rise stem--your stem does not need to be removed or have its angle adjusted in order for the bike to be packed inside the Case.
We do not officially endorse using the Transfer Case for carrying mountain bikes as the case was designed for Road and Gravel bikes only. The problem is not so much the footprint (as in the length and height of the bike) but the taller "stack" caused by the wider hubs of MTBs which would push the sides of the Transfer Case too much when the bike is packed.
Airline fees
In short, you might, but we can't guarantee it. Airlines have historically been unfair to travelers with bicycles. They will waive fees for certain oversize items, but not if the luggage appears to be a bicycle case. The Transfer Case provides the best chance at avoiding fees by being discreet and unassuming.
For airlines that measure luggage by weight, as many regional airlines do, The Transfer Case greatly reduces the fee-by-weight penalty over other bike cases. We recommend calling your airline in advance and making travel decisions based on understanding different airlines’ bicycle allowance policy.
Read about it more in our guide on traveling with your bike with some major airlines.
Packing your bike in the Transfer Case
Some of the essentials would be the appropriate hex, allen, or Torx tools, a pedal wrench, and a pump for inflating your tires. None of these tools are specialized and collectively can fit inside the designated tool compartment in the Transfer Case!
Read our detailed guide on what to bring and how to prepare your bike can be found here.
How protected is the bike?
Yes, unless it falls off a cliff. Most other bike cases won't protect against that either. The corrugated rigid side panels of the Transfer Case provide excellent crush protection from say, other bags being stacked on top of it inside an airplane cargo bay.
When you pack your bike in the Transfer Case, your bike is "semi-floating," meaning your bike can shift slightly during an impact allowing it to "give," instead of taking the full force of the impact. The thoroughly padded and rigid sides prevent and absorb sharp impacts. The individual components (like your handlebars or fork) won't move out of position since the many layers of foam padding of the Transfer Case provides compression to keep everything in its place.
We recommend that you remove your rotors and place them in the Transfer Case's small compartments. We especially recommend removing them if your rotors are of the Centerlock format, which take only seconds to remove with a cassette/rotor tool.