I was recently presented with a problem: Make a disc-equipped thru-axle road bike fit an older Scicon Aerocomfort 2.0 bike travel bag. It's the type of easily packed case where the stem and handlebars are untouched, while the fork and frame are secured into an internal frame within the bag.
That would be no problem in the current version of this popular bike case, but older versions were made when all road bikes were rim brake and with quick release dropouts, and the Italian company never provided a solution in converting those old cases to new thru-axle axle systems.
This is obviously niche content, but in my efforts to find a money-saving solution for someone, I found others looking for one too. That research led me to a creator who had quite cleverly solved the problem for themself. This story looks at that solution, provides a little more detail in how to apply it, and sprinkles a few adaptions of my own over the top.
Estimated cost: Approx US$10, assuming you have access to a consumer-level 3D-printer and some basic tools. If you don't own a printer or know someone who does, check for community maker spaces that offer access. Some public libraries offer these amenities.
Estimated time: 20-30 minutes, not including 3D print time.
The Aerocomfort 2.0 TSA
Fly to any road cycling event and you’re sure to witness a sea of the Scicon Aerocomfort cases moving through the airport like a seasonal buffalo migration.
I’m not the biggest fan of these drop bar-specific bike cases. The four wheels mean they’re often tipped on the side or upside down by baggage handlers. I find they leave the brake hoods vulnerable to being impacted inward. And the way they lock the frame in place should be balanced with increased padding, especially around the delicate seatstay area.
Still, if you’ve got a modern road (or shorter-wheelbase gravel) bike where removing the handlebar is a pain, then this style of case is no doubt one of the simplest and quickest to pack. For many bikes, you typically just need to remove the wheels, bolt the frame/fork into the case’s internal frame, wrap things up with the provided padding, and remove the pedals (it often fits without this step, but I recommend it to save your wheels). From there, you’re ready to travel.
Newer versions of this bag are made to work with dropbar bikes, new and old. However, if you’ve owned an Aerocomfort 2.0 bike bag since your road bikes all had rim brakes and quick-release wheels, then you may have already found that newer disc-equipped and thru-axle bikes don’t fit that internal mounting frame.
A look inside the Scicon Aerocomfort 2.0. Note the quick-release axles front and rear.
“The Aerocomfort 2.0 bike bag is designed exclusively for rim-brake bikes and does not support adapters for disc brakes. Over the years, we have updated our design based on market demand, and the latest Aerocomfort 3.0 model is now compatible with both rim and disc brake bikes,” explained a helpful member of Scicon’s customer service team.
“Switching the internal frame between versions is not possible due to differences in attachment points and spacing. The internal frame is a single, integrated piece, except for the front fork mount. We highly recommend considering the Aerocomfort 3.0, which better suits your needs.”
Ok, so officially you can’t make an older 2.0 bag work like a newer 3.0. But unofficially, and with aid of a 3D-printer, you sure can.
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