Bike Box Dimensions: Average Bike Box Size (With 8 Examples)
Are you thinking of traveling with your bike, or perhaps you have grown tired of cycling and want to give yourself a break and store it for a while? If you need to do either of these, a bike box is what you need. However, knowing which one to get can be a little daunting with all the sizes available.
The average Bike Box dimensions are 43×11×32” (110 x 28 x 82cm), which is the size for most standard bikes. However, this size can vary depending on what type of bike you need to pack. For example, mountain bikes are typically bigger, so they require larger boxes.
The rest of this article covers multiple bike boxes and their sizes with as much information as you need to make a choice. I’ll also give you a few things to watch out for when buying a bike box so you can make the best choice.
The 8 Best Bike Boxes and Their Sizes
1. Bike Box Alan
BikeBox Alan is a prominent name in the bike box industry, and they currently have one of the widest ranges of bike boxes on offer. While they cost slightly more than the industry average, quality is generally guaranteed, making them a costly but safe buy.
Some of their products and dimensions include:
Bike Box Alan Original (46x14x38 inches)
The Bike Box Alan (BBA) original weighs just over 24.6 lbs (11.2 kg) and comes with a seven-year warranty. Size-wise, it measures 46x14x38 inches (116×36×96cm)
It is made of tough hard-case plastic and comes complete with velcro straps, cushioning, anti-crush pole, among other protective features, to hold your bike in place and protect it from external force.
The BBA Original is deceptively roomy. It’s decently sized and compact, but the architecture of the box still makes it an easy fit for most bikes. It also has additional room for trainer pads, suits, tire pumps, and other accessories.
The BBA Original is large enough to fit most bikes but still compact enough to fit into limited or cramped spaces without damaging your bike. This makes for ease of transport and storage.
Another important feature that makes transport and storage easy is the relative lightness of this bike box. Its weight, coupled with the weight of the bike contained inside, usually won’t exceed limits set by most airlines and exchangers. So, you won’t have to pay more fees for transport.
Most road bikes weigh around 18 lbs (8.16 kg). This, combined with the 24.6 lbs (11.2 kg) of the box itself, keeps the overall weight significantly below the 50 lb (23kg) limit for most airlines.
Most bikes below 25.6 inches (65 cm) will fit into the BBA Original. Bikes with smaller frames are particularly easy to carry since they can even fit without needing you to completely dismantle them.
For longer bikes, you’ll almost always have to remove some parts before packing up. The BBA Original still shines here since it can hold solid disc wheels, disc brake wheels, deep dish wheels, and other specific bike wheels, which are usually larger than conventional wheels.
Bike Box Alan Triathlon Aero Easyfit Bike Box 52x20x37 inches
The Triathlon Aero Easyfit is another unit also made of tough plastic. It weighs about 13kg and measures 52x20x37 inches (133×50×94 cm). It also features an anti-crush pole, velcro straps, and padding.
All of this, combined with the tough plastic covering, make for a very protective bike box.
Since this bike box has larger dimensions than the BBA Original, it can accommodate larger bike frames, which makes for easier boxing up with minimal dismantling, and can carry more bike accessories and spare parts.
Another major fact to note is that the BBA Triathlon Aero Easyfit bike box can accommodate a third wheel. This feature is essential for athletes or competitive bikers who require a spare wheel and need room to carry one along.
The only downsides to this bike box are the added weight and the increased size. Depending on how you’re traveling, you might need to fork out a bit extra for overweight luggage. For storage, however, it’s much similar to the Alan Original and easy to store.
Bike Box Alan Wheel Box (43x3x29 inches or 110×7.5×74cm)
This hard-case plastic box weighs 11 lbs (5kg). It’s much lighter and smaller than conventional bike boxes measuring 43x3x29 inches (110×7.5×74cm). While not explicitly a ‘Bike Box,’ it’s a great option if you only need to store some extra wheels.
It can also be a good choice if you travel and want to save some money on a standard bike box.
Rather than going for a complete bike box, you can simply opt for a wheel box and fit the rest of the bike frame into your luggage, provided that the combined weight is within the airline’s regulations. Remember to remove the pedals and handlebars.
Wheel boxes offer maximum protection for each wheel and ensure baggage handlers do not damage them. They’re also fairly compact, and their overall weight is well within almost all airline transport limits.
The BBA wheel box can accommodate two bike wheels (tires up to 1.57 inches or 4cm thick), as well as the bike’s disc brake rotor. A good tip is to ensure your tires are deflated partially before packing up.
2. Buxum Bike Box
This is another big name in bike box manufacturing, as they produce many quality products, some of which we’ll look at below.
Buxum Tourmalet
There are three types of Buxum Tourmalet boxes you can use on your bike that have length and width dimensions of 46×12 inches(115.7×30.9cm) but differ slightly in height.
The first height, H1, is 31”(78.8 cm), H2–33” (82.8cm), and H3–34”(86.8cm) and weigh just over 26 lbs (12kg). This bike box is made of aluminum. Although this box is mostly geared toward smaller bikes, the three height difference provide some wiggle room for you to choose a box that fits your bike perfectly.
This bike box has adjustable clamps, an anti-crush rod, and latch locks for security. It also has wheels, so you can roll it along almost effortlessly. The bike box can also accommodate thru-axle hubs.
To use the Buxum Tourmalet, you must remove the seat post, handlebars, pedals, and wheels.
You shouldn’t have any problems transporting the Buxum Tourmalet through airlines or shipping. It can also fit into the trunk of an average car. The aluminum makes it tougher than hard-case plastic bike boxes, providing maximum protection to your bike while it’s in transit.
Buxum Ventoux Road
This Buxum bike box variant is larger than the Buxum Tourmalet. Its dimensions are 53x14x34 inches (134×36×87cm), and it is also made of aluminum. It weighs about 33 lbs (15kg).
It has a clamping system, anti-crush rod, latch locks, and wheels to aid movement. The Buxum Ventoux Road can accommodate frame sizes up to 25 inches (64cm).
You can use the box with road, track, TT, cross, and mountain bikes. With the larger size, you don’t have to dismantle your bike before, but you should remove both wheels and the seat post. It also accommodates thru axle hubs.
However, the additional weight means you’ll spend more on air transport and shipping. With the large size, the box also takes up more luggage space.
Buxum Ventoux MTB
This is another version of the Buxum Ventoux bike box that features the same dimensions as the Ventoux Road–53x14x34 inches (134×36×87cm). The powerful aluminum box weighs about 16 kg.
It’s a top choice for mountain bike enthusiasts (MTBs). However, it has other features that make it compatible with other bike types. It can accommodate larger axle hubs and take frames up to 25.2 inches (64cm)
Buxum Stelvio MTB
This Buxum bike box has dimensions of 60x14x34 inches or 152×36×87 cm, which is the same width and height as the previous Buxum bike box products. The difference is the increased length of the Buxum Stelvio MTB, which makes it suitable for packing bikes with longer wheelbases. It is also suited for carrying custom-made MTBs and bikes.
The only downside is its large weight–35.5 lbs or 17kg. Since it’s a large box, it will take up a lot of luggage space.
Buxum Galibier
The dimensions of the Buxum Galibier are 26x10x26 inches (67×26×67cm) and weigh about 15 lbs (7kg). The aluminum cases, together with straps and clamps, help to protect the bike parts from damage during transit or storage.
This bike box is exclusively for smaller bikes like breakaways, hence the compact size.
3. Polaris Bike Pod Pro
This bike box shares many features with Bike Box Alan products. The dimensions are 45x11x34 inches (114×27×87cm), weighs about 26 lbs (12kg), and is made of PP plastic.
Protective features include velcro straps and several layers of padding. Unlike its BBA counterparts, the Polaris Bike Pod Pro does not come with anti-crush poles.
Its narrower size makes for easier handling and requires less luggage space than other bike boxes. It also comes with wheels to aid movement. A narrower size entails bikes with smaller frames and both tires deflated.
Also, there is minimal room for additional parts and accessories.
Unfortunately, the absence of anti-crush poles also reduces the protective capacity of the Polaris Bike Pod Pro. It can still decently protect bike parts, but not if overly manhandled.
On the upside, it is easy to use for air transport and shipping. If you choose to use it for storage, take care to avoid stacking other stuff on it.
4. Pakgo X
The Pakgo X is particularly durable, even when compared to many of its fiercest competitors. The dimensions of the Pakgo X bike box are 33x14x50 inches (85×35×127cm).
The main reason for the durability is its polycarbonate Makrolon® shell, which is specially crafted by its parent company to give it a bunch of favorable advantages. The most important of these features for your bike is its high impact resistance, which keeps bikes much safer since it helps the box disperse force better.
Inside, the Pakgo X offers a little more protection with paddings, wheel bags, meshes, and foam cases for the various bike parts.
This bike box is light, weighing only 22 lbs (10kg). Although it can handle decent-sized bikes, it can’t accommodate large MTBs and road bikes. The box is highly suited for transporting medium-sized light bikes without any fuss.
It will offer protection from normal luggage handling, but it is best to avoid stacking goods on top.
5. Velovault Bike Box
The dimensions of the Velovault bike box are 48x12x36 inches (122×30×91cm). It’s a durable case with Protex and aluminum components and weighs about 28.7 lbs (13kg).
This bike box has a central strut for support, anti-crush, and anti-compression abilities. It also has foam paddings, straps, and component recesses that all help to protect your bike.
Increased length means the Velovault bike box can hold longer bikes. However, while a decreased width makes for easier handling, it still means slightly less storage volume overall.
Velovault is suitable for transporting road, track, small MTBs, and TT bikes.
6. Scicon Aerotech Evolution Bike Travel Case
The dimensions of this Scicon Aerotech Evolution Bike Travel Case from Amazon are 45x14x37 inches (114×36×94cm), and it weighs about 24 lbs (11kg). It’s made of a durable polymer and is used by quite a few athletes.
Its casing material makes this bike box very light but still resistant to compression and crush. It also has paddings, straps, and recesses that protect your bike parts.
This bike box is compatible with most race, road, and TT bikes and will fit most bikes provided you dismantle them properly. It is equipped with wheels and handles for easy handling and movement. Also, it’s very lightweight, making it easier to handle for air transport.
7. B&W International Bike Case
The dimensions of the B&W international bike case found on Amazon are 26.6 x 28 x 13.8 inches( 67.6 x 55.9 x 35 cm). The casing is made of tough ABS plastic and aluminum, with the bike box weighing about 26 lbs (12kg).
Apart from the tough casing, other protective features include two-wheel bags, foam padding, velcro straps, and clamps. These features help hold the bike in place and prevent rattling.
It can accommodate bike frames measuring up to 24 inches or 62 cm, which include:
- Road bikes
- Track bikes
- TT bikes
- Small mountain bikes
Again you have to dismantle parts to fit in bigger bikes.
The B&W International bike case has handles and wheels for easy handling and movement. It also has locks for security, so if you’re shipping your bike or traveling by air, this might be a good choice for you.
8. Cardboard Bike Box
The typical dimension of a cardboard bike box is 51x12x31 inches (130×30×80cm). Cardboard bike boxes such as the Boxes Fast Cardboard Bike Box (Amazon.com) are made of three layers of cardboard paper and weigh about 4.4 lbs (2kg).
The only protection offered to the bike parts is the protection three layers of cardboard paper can muster. There is usually no padding, and bike parts are at much more risk.
While it can accommodate most bike frames, it is not advisable to transport or store your bike using a cardboard bike box. When loaded, it is not easy to move or handle. So, while I wouldn’t recommend this option for travel, it can be a much cheaper option if you simply want to store a bike for a while.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Bike Box
I’ve listed several bike box products and their dimensions with the bikes they’re compatible with. However, there are still some general considerations to make when choosing a bike box:
- The size of your bike: Generally, a bike box that matches your bike’s dimensions is your best choice.
- Protection: The casing of the bike box should be strong. You should also opt for a bike box with anti-crush poles and more paddings.
- Handling and movement: This is important, especially when the bike box is for transport. You should choose a bike box with wheels and well-placed handles.
- Ease of transport: If you intend to transport your bike with the box, you must pay attention to the ease of transportation.
- Cost: Choose the best bike box that is within your budget and matches your needs. For example, if you only need a box to store your bike, a cheaper option would be much more cost-effective.
Final Thoughts
Bike boxes are indispensable to the safety of your bike during transit or storage. They ensure that all the bike parts and accessories are well protected from damage due to compression, improper handling, and other external factors.
For most people, Buxum and BikeBox will have a design that will fit your needs. However, you can also consider other options like Pakgo if you’re not happy with their offerings.