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Dakine Bike Roller Review

A functional and easy-to-load bike case at a highly attractive price tag
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Dakine Bike Roller Review
Credit: Dakine
Price:  $600 List
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Manufacturer:   Dakine
By Pat Donahue ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 1, 2020
74
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 4
  • Protection - 30% 6.0
  • Packing Process - 20% 9.0
  • Ease of Rolling/Carrying - 20% 8.0
  • Security - 10% 5.0
  • Weight - 10% 9.0
  • Ease of Storage - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Dakine Bike Roller is a solid and functional product at an attractive price point. As a result, it took home our Best Buy Award and is one of those rock-solid products that gets the job done. It isn't over-engineered or loaded with flashy features; it's just a functional product. That is a high compliment in an age where manufacturers love boasting all of the flashy features that may or may not improve the product's performance. The Dakine case is simple to load and functional; we think there are some better options on the market. That said, at this price, you get a highly functional product at roughly half the price of the more expensive bike travel cases. Our review of the best bike travel cases shows how it stacks up versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Attractive price point
Easy load process
Rolls/carries well
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the most protective
Less refined than competition

Compare to Similar Products

 
dakine bike roller
This Product
Dakine Bike Roller
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Editors' Choice Award
Best Bike Travel Case
Top Pick Award
Best for Road/Gravel Bikes
 
Price $420.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$795.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
$900 List$673 List
$672.99 at Backcountry
Overall Score Sort Icon
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88
70
69
Star Rating
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Bottom Line An affordable and serviceable bike travel case that delivers decent performanceA dialed travel case that features a well-engineered design and the ability to carry a wide range of bikesA quality travel case that offers superb protection but only works with road and gravel bikesA functional and serviceable travel case that doesn't stand out in any area
Rating Categories Dakine Bike Roller EVOC Travel Bag Pro Topeak PakGo X Pro Bike Travel Case
Protection (30%)
6.0
9.0
10.0
7.0
Packing Process (20%)
9.0
9.0
5.0
6.0
Ease of Rolling/Carrying (20%)
8.0
10.0
6.0
7.0
Security (10%)
5.0
5.0
9.0
5.0
Weight (10%)
9.0
8.0
5.0
9.0
Ease of Storage (10%)
8.0
10.0
4.0
8.0
Specs Dakine Bike Roller EVOC Travel Bag Pro Topeak PakGo X Pro Bike Travel Case
Dimensions 57 x 15 x 30 inches 54 x 17 x 30 inches 47 x 12.5 x 32 inches 51.1 x 9.8 x 30.25 inches
Weight 17 lbs 15 oz 21 lbs 11 oz 29 lbs 11 oz 17 lbs 13 oz
Storage Space 313 liters 310 liters N/A N/A
Wheel Stance Width 11 inches 12.5 inches 9.75 inches 6.75 inches
Wheel Diameter 3 inches 4.5 inches 2.25 inches 1.75 inches
Security Features None None Integrated combination lock None

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Dakine Bike Roller Bag is a functional product at a very attractive price point. As a result, it won our Best Buy award. This bag delivers decent protection levels and boasts a reasonably low ease of storage and weight. The simple loading process was a highlight as nobody wants to fuss with a complex and finicky loading system. No, this bike travel case may not be the best of the best, but it is an impressive piece at a low price tag.

Performance Comparisons


dakine bike roller - our best buy winning dakine bike roller bag gets the job done at an...
Our Best Buy winning Dakine Bike Roller Bag gets the job done at an attractive price.

Packing Process


The packing process was quite simple with the Dakine case. The process was by far the quickest among our test class and it was also the least complex. It could be argued that this fast and simple load process leads to a less protected bike. That may be a valid argument, but regardless, stuffing our bicycle into this case was fast and straightforward.

Remove the wheels, handlebars, and pedals from your bike. Start by putting the top tube/frame cover on the front end of the frame. Next, drop your fork into the fork protector bag/wrap. This is a very nice touch as it covers your vulnerable fork stanchions and keeps them out of harm's way. None of the more expensive cases have this feature…so kudos to Dakine. Set your rear triangle on the foam block to keep it off the ground. Next, remove the derailleur and stick it in the padded derailleur envelope. This is another nice touch and we would recommend zip tie-ing the derailleur envelope to your chainstays.

dakine bike roller - the dakine case and all of its packing materials.
The Dakine case and all of its packing materials.

Next, put your wheels into the wheel bags. This is a nice fit that doesn't require a lot of force or totally deflating your tires. Put one bag on each side of the frame. Then, use the red straps to secure your frame and you are ready to roll.

The process is exceptionally intuitive. Some of our more complex cases require us to consult the directions at every step. The Bike Roller was logical and easy to understand. The steps were obvious and it didn't require a high level of precision. We give huge points to the fork wrap, it is a nice touch and protects one of the most fragile areas. Tip of the cap to Dakine.

dakine bike roller - the dakine case protects your fork exceptionally well.
The Dakine case protects your fork exceptionally well.

Protection


The Dakine bag offers decent levels of protection. Throughout our testing process, we hauled this bag around, pulled it in and out of vehicles, and dragged it around a lot. We do mean a lot. There was no damage to the bike or components.

The Bike Roller does give us a slightly higher level of concern compared to some of the other bags. When we were moving the bike around, it seemed like there was a little more slop in the bag compared to other options. This means the bike felt like it moved around a little bit more. Again, there was no damage to the bike or any of the components, but it was moving in there. Other bags where the frame and fork are bolted to a frame feel a little more sturdy and protected.

dakine bike roller - all of our bike cases have the same goal, but offer differing...
All of our bike cases have the same goal, but offer differing approaches.

We have mentioned it at least twice already, but it is worth mentioning a third time. We love the fork cover. Fork stanchions are a vulnerable area, especially with the handlebars positioned nearby. It isn't difficult to imagine handlebars slipping out of position and cutting your fork up. This is not only unsightly, but it heavily affects performance. The fork cover/wrap is a killer touch that deserves recognition.

Ease of Rolling/Carrying


The Dakine case rolls well-enough. It can't stand up to the best of the best, but it is a reasonably easy travel case to move around. The smaller wheels have a three-inch diameter and do not swivel or turn. They roll just fine, but if portability and walkability is an important consideration for your bike case, there are better options. This case rolls just fine on nice surfaces like those you might find in an airport or train station. Cracked pavement and uneven surfaces are a lot less pleasant.

This case is easy to pick up and onto luggage conveyor belts or check-in stations. There are plenty of handles, and the case never feels overly massive or bulky.

dakine bike roller - the dakine case rolls reasonably well and has mid-sized hard plastic...
The Dakine case rolls reasonably well and has mid-sized hard plastic wheels.

Weight


The Bike Roller weighs 17 pounds, 15 ounces. This measurement was taken while the bag was empty except for the included packing materials. This makes the Dakine among the lighter bags in the test; it's about .75 pounds heavier than the lightest competitor.

Weight shouldn't be a critical consideration when purchasing a bike case. Airlines have weight limits that vary slightly. Of course, the bulk of the weight will come from your bike and whatever else you shove into the case. That said, a few pounds difference is certainly significant if you are approaching a weight limit.

dakine bike roller - this case has plenty of handles and is easy to muscle around.
This case has plenty of handles and is easy to muscle around.

Security


The Dakine case does not have any security features. You could easily add a TSA-approved lock to bind the zippers together. Security is a minor metric as a thief who wants your bike will most likely steal the whole bike case rather than open it up and remove your bicycle. That said, it can act as a deterrent for the opportunist who may want to grab a helmet or shoe out of your case.

Ease of Storage


The Dakine scored well in the ease of storage metric. It packs down pretty small, and it is also pretty light. This means that it can be easily jammed onto that hard-to-reach shelf or be minimally irritating in the corner of your closet. Soft cases are inherently easier to store compared to hard cases; you just need to remove the structural supports to take full advantage and collapse the bag.

Value


At this price, the Dakine case is a stellar value. This travel case delivers solid, if not fantastic, performance. Yes, you can spend twice the amount for the bells and whistles and a little bit of additional bike protection. That said, the Dakine bag gets the job done just fine; this is especially true if your bike has already seen heavy use, and a scratch or scrape isn't the end of the world.

dakine bike roller - your derailleur is safe and sound in this padded envelope.
Your derailleur is safe and sound in this padded envelope.

Conclusion


The Dakine Bike Roller bag is a rock-solid and simple bike travel case. Sprinkle in a fantastic price point, and you have a delicious recipe for success. The Dakine earns our Best Buy Award. Yes, you can pay significantly more money for a slightly more protective and feature-filled travel case. We salute Dakine for delivering a functional product that gets the job done without breaking the bank.

Pat Donahue