The Evoc Travel Bag Pro is a road, gravel, and MTB travel case with solid protection and straightforward packing
With my dropper down, I can leave the saddle on my Pivot Mach 4 SL (size medium) mountain bike. Total weight with my mountain bike inside is 48.5lbs.
Flying with a bike can be stressful — from worrying about frame damage to handling airline weight limits. Over the years, I’ve tried cardboard boxes, softshell cases, hardshell cases like those from Scicon, and my Jetpack case from the now defunct BikeND.
The Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro has provided a consistently good experience across multiple trips. It accommodates road bikes, gravel bikes, and MTBs, keeps frames well-protected, and is relatively easy to pack thanks to the included Evoc Bike Stand Pro. I used the Evoc Travel Bag Pro to fly my bike to California for the Grasshopper Ukiah-Mendo Gravel Epic, to Oregon for 5 days of mountain biking on the McKenzie River, and even to Sweden for a Triathlon.
Final Verdict
After several trips with the Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro, it has provided consistent protection and is easy to pack. The Bike Stand Pro makes securing the bike straightforward and reduces stress on the frame and components. The exterior wheel compartments and interior straps further stabilize bikes in transit.
Pros:
- Fits road, gravel, and most XC/MTB frames
- Reliable protection with frame stand and padded compartments
- Straightforward packing process (~15-20 minutes)
Cons:
- May exceed airline weight limits with larger bikes
- Price is higher than basic softshell bags
- Isn't rated high on long-term durability compared to hard shell cases
Bottom line: The Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro offers a practical balance of protection, versatility, and packability. It’s a good option for travelers who fly with multiple bike types and want a predictable, reliable experience. I've had a really good experience with mine after 5 trips (which means packing the bike 10 times, and traveling on 15+ airplanes.)
OutdoorCrunch Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)
My gravel bike has a seat mast, which extends towards the top of the bag. I wrapped it in packing paper to ensure it stays protected and I've never had any damage. Total weight of my gravel bike in the Evoc Travel Bag Pro is 41.5lbs. Sidenote: I quickly learned that the rear-most strap in this image should be across the chainstays, and not up and around the seat stays.
What I like about the Evoc Travel Bag Pro
The Evoc Bike Stand Pro
Included with the Travel Bag Pro, the Bike Stand Pro keeps the bottom bracket and chainrings elevated and allows you to secure the bike quickly. It has inserts for common axle sizes and makes strapping the bike in straightforward.If you have the standard Evoc travel bag, you can purchase the Bike Stand Pro as an add-on.
Exterior Wheel Compartments
Zippered side compartments hold wheels securely, protect brake rotors, and help maintain the bag’s shape. This makes handling and loading easier than many other softshell bags.
My 29er mtb wheel inside the exterior wheel comparment of the Evoc Travel Bag Pro. One wheel per side of the bag. The disk protection and re-enfored patch on the side of the compartment, along with the vertical support rods, provide ample protection.
Interior Straps & Stability
Multiple straps secure the fork, frame, seatpost, and bars, preventing unwanted movement during travel. Across multiple trips — including road, gravel, and XC MTB setups — my bikes have consistently arrived without issues.
Versatility
The bag accommodates road bikes, gravel bikes, and XC mountain bikes with minimal adjustments.
Protection & Reliability
Across five trips (roughly 15 flights), the bag has protected my lightweight carbon frames with no damage. That bag has held up surprisingly well so far. Fabric, zippers, and wheels are still in great condition. My experience with softshell bags is that they get hammered pretty good and you can find plenty of reviews online from people complaining about things breaking on Evoc bags. For me however, so far, so good.
Considerations before you buy the Evoc Travel Bag Pro
Weight and Airline Fees
The bag weighs 21 lbs 3 oz with the stand. Depending on the bike and added gear, some setups may exceed the standard 50-lb airline limit. My XC bike packed in the bag has total weight of 48.5 lbs, while my gravel setup is only 41.5lbs, allowing me to add clothes and accessories. Heavier trail or enduro bikes will most likely push you into the overweight category with. your airline. If you are over 50lbs on United it is an additional $100, unless you are at least Premier Gold.
| Model | MSRP | Weight | Compatibility | Bike Stand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakine Bike Roller Bag | $720 | 17 lbs. 9.6 oz. | Road/Gravel/MTB/Fat | No |
| Evoc Bike Travel Bag | $595 | 20lbs. 1 o.z | Road/Gravel/MTB | Accessory |
| Evoc Travel Bag XL | $595 | 21 lbs. 2.6 oz. | Road/Gravel/MTB/Fat | Accessory |
| Evoc Travel Bag Pro | $795 | 21 lbs. 2.6 oz. | Road/Gravel/MTB | Yes |
| Scicon Aerocomfort TSA MTB | $1,099 | 30 lbs. 12 oz. | MTB | Yes |
| Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 TSA Road | $1,099 | 17 lbs. 10 oz. | Road | Yes |
| Thule Roadtrip MTB | $999 | 29 lbs. 10.08 oz | Road/Gravel/MTB | Yes |
| Thule Roadtrip Road | $999 | 27 lbs. 9.6 oz | Road | Yes |
Long-Term Durability
While the bag has held up well after 15 or so airplanes, softshell cases typically show wear along edges over time. The only issue I’ve experienced is a slight kink in one of the Bike Stand Pro stanchions, without any impact on bike safety. Evoc bags get mixed reviews for their quality. So far the Evoc Travel Bag Pro has held up for me with only the slight damage to the stand and I hope it continues to for the $795 price tag.
You can see the kink in the stanchion of the Evoc Bike Stand Pro. My guess is that my bike was piled on in-transit. The bike was fine.
How I pack a bike in the Evoc Travel Bag Pro
I've tried removing my bar from the stem (as seen here) and leaving the stem connected to the bar. I prefer leaving it attached to the bar when possible so I don't have to re-adjust it. Either way works.
Here is what I have found works best for me after using this bag on a number of trips.
- Clean your bike, scrub your chain, and apply fresh chain lube. You'll be so happy you did!
- Remove the bike stand from the Evoc Travel Bag Pro and set it next to the bag. Make sure you have the proper adapters for your axle length and diameter.
- Remove the wheels and pedals from your bike.
- Place your bike on the stand and insert your skewers/through-axles to secure it to the stand.
- Attach the included Evoc top tube cushion to your bike. I also highly recommend the Chain Johnny drivetrain cover.
- Remove your handlebar from your stem, leaving the stem on your bike. I've also tried leaving the stem on the bar, so I don't need to re-adjust the bar when rebuilding my bike. The problem is that the fork steerer on your bike can shake around in the headtube while traveling, possibly causing damage or screwing up your headset. Better to keep everything tight by leaving the stem in place.
- Remove your seat post if you need to. I can drop my dropper on my mtb and leave my seat post and saddle on. On my roadie and gravel bike, the post has to come off.
- Put the frame in the bag, making sure that you move all red straps out of the way so they aren't caught under the frame.
- Buckle and attach all straps (chain stays, fork, frame, and bar).
- Make sure your brake levers are jammed against your frame, or otherwise in danger of getting damaged. Use bubble wrap or other protection around them if you need to. Also use protection on any other parts that you are concerned with. This totally depends on your bike's geometry and construction. I always add more protection to the seat mast on my Trek Checkpoint SLR 9.
- Zip the main compartment closed and add your wheels to the exterior compartments.
- Weight your bike to see where your weight is at. Then add as much gear around your bike as you feel comfortable with. Bike bottles, hydration pack, clothes, shoes, pedals, etc... are all good candidates to travel in the bag with your bike if you have weight to spare.
FAQ
What's the difference between the Evoc Travel Bag and Travel Bag Pro (Evoc Travel Bag vs. Travel Bag Pro).
The difference between the Evoc Travel Bag and Evoc Travel Bag Pro, is that the Pro comes with the Bike Stand Pro to mount your frame to when packing. It's a big upgrade from the foam blocks. You can however buy the Evoc Bike Stand Pro separately for $160, making the combo of the standard Travel Bag + Bike Stand Pro $760, which is slightly less than the Bike Travel Bag Pro at $795. The other difference between these models is that the Evoc Bike Travel Bag Pro has an optional front skate wheel, which makes it easier to move the bag long distances. I personally don't use the front wheel much, but it is handy if you find yourself walking across an airport parking lot.
Does the Evoc Travel Bag Pro fit road bikes and mountain bikes?
Yes — it can accommodate road, gravel, and XC mountain bikes. The adjustable frame stand and interior straps help secure different geometries and wheelbases.
How much does the Evoc Travel Bag Pro weigh?
The bag weighs 21 lbs 3 oz with the Bike Stand Pro installed. Fully packed bikes may approach or exceed 50 lbs, depending on frame and gear.
Is the Evoc Travel Bag Pro safe for carbon frames?
Yes — the internal stand keeps the frame elevated, and wheel compartments plus straps help prevent movement. I have flown multiple times with my Trek Checkpoint SLR 9 gravel and Pivot Mach 4 SL, both of which are carbon. I've even flown to Sweden with my carbon tri-bike.
How long does it take to pack a bike in the Evoc Travel Bag Pro?
Once familiar with the process, you can bike your bike in under 30 minutes, including mounting the bike to the stand and securing straps.I take a little extra time to wash the bike and scrub the chain before I pack it for a trip. Just disassembling your bike and getting it in the case takes like 15 mintues.
Can I fit gear or clothing inside the bag with my bike?
Yes — there’s room for a helmet, shoes, or a small packing cube. The limiting factor is usually weight, if you want to keep it under 50 lbs for airline travel. If you have premier status or pay (usually $100) you can go up to 70 lbs.
