Rinko bag

This Rinko bag should let you to take your bike on most trains without a reservation. I’ve successfully used it myself in Germany and Switzerland, and it should also be fine in France and Spain, likely throughout most of Europe. However, I don’t guarantee anything.

The bag is as minimalist as it gets and is designed with packability in mind. It rolls up to about the size of a Coke can, making it suitable for a bikepacking trip. I use a high-quality rip-stop to maximise durability at a low weight (250g), but it’s an ultralight bag and should be treated as such.

The bag serves more as a cover; you carry the bike using the supplied shoulder strap that attaches to the head tube and seat post. This means the bag itself isn’t under any strain, which is why it can be so light. You’ll need two Voile straps to secure the wheels to the frame, and perhaps an old towel or dirty t-shirt to protect the paint.

I use the bag as follows:

1. Take off the derailleur.
2. Take off the handlebars. 3. Remove the wheels.
4. Lay the bag flat on the ground.
5. Place the frame in the opening of the bag.
6. Secure the wheels and handlebars to the frame.
7. Pull the bag around the frame.
8. Fit the carrying strap.
9. Close the bag with the Velcro.

The bag measures 146x100cm when laid flat and fits my size L ATB with 29×2.35” tyres and a rear rack. The packed size, including the shoulder strap (excluding the Voile straps), is approximately 9cm in diameter and 15cm high.

I can’t stress enough that this is an ultra-light bike carrying solution. It provides no protection for the bicycle, and the fabric will not withstand stress. This means that sliding your bike across a train platform could result in a torn bag and scratched paint. However, it fits in a jersey pocket, taking up about a quarter of a frame bag, allowing you to travel with your bike without reservations. I take no liability for damaged bikes or missed connections and do not provide a warranty for wear and tear.