Trip through space with your very own time machine. The Tardis transforms your ungainly treadly into a compact bundle - handy when smuggling it onto planes and trains. Unbolt the stem to release handlebars, whip off the pedals and rear derailleur, then remove the wheels and seat. The frame is cunningly placed upside down with the wheels loaded on either side to protect the fragile bits. Shrinks into a compact package when you get to where you're going. Doctor Who?
Weight: 1800 gm
Tardis | Dogsbody | |
Approx. Packed Dimensions | 135 cm x 80 cm | 172 cm x 80 cm |
Bag Weight | 1800 gm | 1240 gm |
Disassembly Required | Moderate | Minimal |
With bikes ever harder to transport on planes, there's no doubt the less noticeable they are at the heck-in desk, the less forehead furrowing will ensue. As the name suggests, the Tardis is small on the outside and big on the inside. The frame is placed upside down, with the seatpost and handlebars removed, the rear mech taped up inside the stays and the two wheels packed in either side in the sleeves. This in itself provides plenty of lateral support, though to best play baggage handler roulette, you should also bolster it with pipe lagging, clothes and locally sourced cardboard.At 115x70cm, the Tardis is as easy to carry with it's shoulder strap as it is to fit into a car boot, or tie to an Indian roof-rack (touring racks and forks on 60cm+ frames will need to be removed). Fork spacers are provided, chunky zips can be can be locked and there's reinforcing in the right places, with padding around the wheel axles. The real beauty, though, is it's pack size; the bag folds down to a fat A4 sized parcel, weighing just 1.6kg, and can be easily stowed in a pannier, or posted ahead for the end of a tour.Verdict: The best non-padded bike bag we've tried.
Cheapest, lightest and most compact of the lot, Ground Effect's Tardis bike bag may not offer as much protection as some of its more expensive competitors but it's not a lot less. It's so light, easy to store and cheap (just three return trips and you'll pay more in cardboard boxes), it's in a league of its own. The Tardis comes with packing instructions and Ground Effect recommends the frame is placed upside down with the wheels loaded on either side in the bags provided. Front and rear drop-out spacers are also provided to protect your frame and forks, and there's an internal pocket for stowing pedals and tools. No wheels underneath but a sturdy carry handle and shoulder strap on top. The zips are lockable 10-coil zips. Perhaps best of all, the Tardis disappears into a compact 'A4' storage bag when not in use.
just a tip really if you put a bit of bubble wrap in the helmet to keep it clean and pack it a the back it might poke out a little but does help to protect the derailluer
Clever, but just be cautious as your helmet is important to look after too.
Have used my Tardis once and will again for sure. Enough room for my full sus 26", helmet, shoes, tools, jackets and riding kit for 2 days with more to spare. Good quality stitching around straps and bulky zips ensure a secure carry, and material is hard wearing with extra padding around hubs. Slight improvements could be made to 1) shoulder strap construction for comfort, 2) density of lining around corners for protection and 3) increase options for internal storage, but really these are minor things and easily worked around with a bit of clever packing. On the whole its an awesome bag and wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Thanks groundeffect!
Bought a Tardis to transport an XL all mountain bike. Has plenty of room once I disassemble the bars, fork, wheels and derailleur - on my most recent trip i also had two helmets, one which was a full face, three pairs of shoes, pads and other bits and bobs. The zips are nice and big so you don't feel you're going to stretch and brake them. The wheel holders on the insides work effectively. Has a nice little pouch to store small things like screws. Fabric is nice a tough, didn't get any rips or fraying.