Wheels??

[rabergnc]

Just curious... I know this goes completely against the TB ethos, but are there any plans to do a wheeled bag at some point? (This may have been answered before but a quick search did not reveal any answers.) I have a TriStar and Western Flyer and love them both. Just completed a trip to Nebraska where the TriStar made my life infinitely easier by just being able to board and not mess around with gate checks for wheeled luggage. However, there are occasions when a bag with wheels is needed because of the load to carry and you are not trekking with the bag outside of the airport or hotel. I think if anyone could do wheels the right way, y'all could!

[ltsching]

I also wondered about this. My wife almost always prefers rolling luggage although she likes the TB bags. (We have the Aeronaut and the TriStar). We are taking a trip to Hawaii soon and my original plan was to have us using two of the TB bags. She, however, insists that she will use our 22" Mountainsmith rolling bag. She likes the ease of pulling the rolling luggage. And most places we visit, wheels would be more than sufficient.

[BPritchard]

I'm looking at getting a luggage cart for my EGO when I go on my next trip. Mainly because my EGO will be stuffed with my camera/electronics and other things that will make it too heavy to lug around the airport.

My Swift bag with then contain my Netbook in a brain cell along with my headphones and other needful things.

This is one i'm looking at.

Small enough to store in the EGO's back pocket to store in a plane's luggage rack.

[Darcy]

It's unlikely that Tom will design a wheeled bag. Filson and Battle Lake Outdoors both make wheeled bags in the U.S.A.

[rabergnc]

Thanks for the reply Darcy. Pretty much what I expected. I guess I'll just have to continue to stay in good enough shape to carry TB's bags!!>)

[pretzelb]

Thanks for the reply Darcy. Pretty much what I expected. I guess I'll just have to continue to stay in good enough shape to carry TB's bags!!>)

I have to say that personally I hate it when people are smug, but I find myself acting very smug when I see someone struggle with a wheeled bag while traveling with my TB stuff. I try to beat the smugness down but I can't help at least crack a wry smile. That is right up to the point when the person with the wheeled bag ends up nearly tripping me or knocking me in my shins.

Sorry, just a little personal observation on myself.

[PM4HIRE]

Don't be so smug, someday you will not be able
to carry a TB bag, as old age catches up to you.

[pretzelb]

Don't be so smug, someday you will not be able
to carry a TB bag, as old age catches up to you.

Well I hope I would never be smug over someone who has wheeled luggage due to age. I hope I reserve my smugness for those who are fit but just made the choice for wheels. But I need to police myself on that. Like I said, I don't like to be smug in the first place.

Then again I'm not sure wheels are going to be an option for me as I get older. My better half has a typical roller bag and even NOW I have trouble with getting it in/out of the car and the overhead storage. I can't imagine that's going to get easier as I get older.

A combo of TB style bags with a separate (lightweight) wheeled luggage rack might be the best option as I age. Both should be easy to load/unload, and the wheels then solve any age issues with back and shoulders.

[maverick]

Don't be so smug, someday you will not be able
to carry a TB bag, as old age catches up to you.

that's when you carry lighter things and less of them . fortunately, tom bihn gear is fairly light to begin with!

[rabergnc]

I must admit that as I pass the lineup of folks in the jetway or on the ground outside the plane who are waiting for their wheeled bags to be delivered, I occasionally smile to myself. This quickly dissipates, however, as I hike from gate A1 to D45 in Atlanta carrying my TB bag which has that one extra gift or electronic toy I could absolutely not travel without....

[Darcy]

We totally understand there are some folks that for various reasons must carry rolling luggage. That we aren't likely going to make rolling luggage shouldn't be taken as comment on those folks - it's just that we're already busy making all carry-only travel bags such as the Aeronaut, Tri-Star, Western Flyer, and several other yet-to-be-released bags that Tom is working on. Plus, we've never seen hardware for rolling luggage that we liked and would want to use.

[BPritchard]

snip ....... we've never seen hardware for rolling luggage that we liked and would want to use.

I had a perfectly good duffel bag I had to trash because one of the wheels broke and there were no replacement wheels available. I was on vacation and had to get a replacement. The replacement I got has wheels that are replacable. I have replacement wheels that I will carry in case I need to replace them.

The duffel is the one I check in. Too big for a carryon.

The only suggestion for the TB company is to research luggage carts and recommend the ones that meet your quality expectations.

Or you could partner with a company that makes luggage carts and produce your own "branded" versions.

[BPritchard]

I was in the Ellenton, Fl mall last weekend and went to the Samsonite Outlet to check on the Micro Mover luggage cart.
It folds up quite nicely, however, the supporting legs looked too flimsy. Plus it was hard to close up. I don't recommend it.
They did have a compact luggage cart that looked sturdier.

The MicroMover folds to 7"w x 2.75"d x 15" h and costs $39.95. The compact luggage cart folds to 12.7"w x 4.25"d x 20.5" h and costs $29.95.
Both will fit inside most carry-ons.
Amazon.com also has others.

As I side point, the prices for their suitcases were comparable to TB bags. Not much difference in price. TB bags are more expensive than other brands, but worth the money.

[backpack]

I'm looking at getting a luggage cart for my EGO when I go on my next trip. Mainly because my EGO will be stuffed with my camera/electronics and other things that will make it too heavy to lug around the airport.

My Swift bag with then contain my Netbook in a brain cell along with my headphones and other needful things.

This is one i'm looking at.

Small enough to store in the EGO's back pocket to store in a plane's luggage rack.

I read the reviews on that product and saw how it was made.
I would strongly advice against buying it.


Depending on your departure airport, I think that you might be better off renting a luggage cart and leave at security and slowly make your way to your gate.


If you really want a portable luggage cart, it will need to be strong, have a long enough handle and adequate wheels like the ones used on strollers or rollators.

I speak from experience, waaaay before using Tom Bihn bags, I used hard sided luggage without wheel for which I has to buy a cart.


Let me do some research so I can find a more adequate model, other FPN members may have a more contemporary experience with carts, so... chime in!

[Shiva]

Hello folks:
I am also looking for a small portable luggage cart when it is too much for me to carry the Western Flyer for long distances. The Samsonite micro mover is pretty hopeless. Anyone knows of any good ones?
I think TB should design one!