Upright vs Spinner luggage

[get me outta here]

It sounds as if the 2 wheeler situation is dire. I saw some today in DJs of indeterminate manufacturer, but not quite the 2 pockets requirement. The photo doesn't show the lopsided nature of the off centre pocket. The style of the photo is the same as my old Samsonite.

I had a couple spare hours in Shanghai last Sat so walked west on Nanjing Lu from Le Royal Meridien out to fake market at 580 Nanjing West Lu - Shanghai Fake Market - 580 Nanjing West Road.

This is the closest market to city centre - 3 floors of 'genuine quality' merchandise - I was so pissed off with the 4 wheel spinner I bought in PEK a month earlier I was just going to replace it with a 2 wheel version which I have used last 5 or 6 years. 4 wheeler here:

View attachment 39573

This is is the only design I will use - 2 pockets on front - but I could only find 1 2 wheeler this design in whole market - could not believe it - there were dozens in Ya Show (Sunlitan) market in PEK - but only 1 at 580. And the problem was it was not assembled straight - bottom pocket on front not stiched on straight - I just could not bring myself to buy it - looking at that crooked pocket would piss me off forever - so 4 wheeler gets to experience another journey back to its mother city in PEK where I'll start the search again!

And another reason this 4 wheeler has to go is extra space it takes up - SQ 77Ws have no OH bins in F - the 773s do - stowage of HL on 77W is under ottoman in front of you - wheels make 4 wheeler protrude further out - basically I cannot sit in F without feet touching 4 wheeler unless I sit bolt upright.

i have now used the 4 wheeler on 6 flts - It just does not cut the mustard!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It sounds as if the 2 wheeler situation is dire. I saw some today in DJs of indeterminate manufacturer, but not quite the 2 pockets requirement. The photo doesn't show the lopsided nature of the off centre pocket. The style of the photo is the same as my old Samsonite.

This is the 'rogue' 4 wheeler I bought at PEK 1 month ago - same 'rogue' 4 wheeler which will be dispensed with as soon as I can buy 2 wheeler - pockets on this are straight - identical design to the Samsonite / Tumi fakes in PEK mts just minus the 4 wheels.

 

[morfergus]

I am firmly in the 2 wheel camp for large checked luggage and struggled to find a suitable case at the Boxing Day sales. Nothing but spinners in Strandbags and DJs in Adelaide so I headed into Myer without much hope. Luckily, they had a choice of a Monsac or Samsonite in the 2 wheeled variety, everything else had 4 (this is starting to remind of George Orwell's Animal Farm - "two legs good, four legs bad!"). So I settled on the Samsonite 79cm Duranxt and am happy with its performance on the flight to BNE today.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

for anyone looking for 2-wheelers... perters of kensington seem to have some.

They've been around forever, although I've never purchased from them.

Here is a link to the Samsonite page: Peter's of Kensington | Search Results

 

[Cynicor]

Victorinox still make the Werks 2 wheelers I believe? Carry on size, 2 pockets in front, ultra-light versions available and lifetime warranty that DOES cover carrier damage, on of the few that does.

I love mine, I have all sizes and a spectra 4 wheeler!

 

[PineappleSkip]

Give me two wheelers any day. We have a cupboard full of them in various states of disrepair.

Mrs Pineapple begs to differ and wants shiny new spinners. Myer has a pre Christmas sale and offers a free cabin bag in same style if you buy a medium or large bag. Pineapple loves a bargain.

Beware that Myer displays are coughy trapped. They thought it a dandy idea to jam large numbers of these four wheeled nightmares together on raised displays. Bump one and it triggers a chain reaction with large numbers of spinners flying off the display in all directions. Several such Mr Bean experiences occur as I attempt to inspect the innards of various models.

This and trying to manhandle the coughamamie things through christmas crowds in Queen Street has not changed my opinion of Spinners at all.

Now Mrs Pineapple has taken delivery of two fine looking Antler spinners. So far they have been well behaved, but I haven't been game to move them out of the lounge room yet.

Cheers skip

 

[seanpodge]

I definitely don't trust the exposed wheels of the 4 wheel upright models to survive even moderately robust handling by baggage staff and have indeed seen such a bag undergo a swift amputation when being taken off of a bus a couple of years ago. I currently have two Crumpler bags with the two wheels well recessed and therefore well protected. Apart from losing wheels, the four wheelers seem to be very good at wandering down train carriages when their owners leave them unattended in the middle of the aisle.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have zero probs with 4 wheelers for checked luggage - I always seem to have 2 x 20kg 4 wheelers checked to / fro CHINA - never an issue - and all are 30 buckers from the PEK fake markets. My probs are 4 wheelers for HL - they are just pain in cough. Big 4 wheelers a must if travelling with 3 bags on / off trains etc.

 

[Kangol]

Totally agree. I also know the pain of trying to buy a 2 wheeler recently - had to trawl through many shops, and couldn't find one to my exact specifications which used to be easy (2 wheel, good handle on top and side, inside and outside pockets, sturdy extendable handle). Had to get one without external pocket, so no cramming in a last minute newspaper for me.

Which one did you end up getting?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

re carpet: I thought the idea was the spinners could be dragged in the same fashion as 2-wheelers?

It is a bit like with 4WD having fat tyres for traversing sand. Narrow tyres sink in, when wider tyres can allow you to traverse.

Some of my bags have quite large and wide wheels.....primarily as I often book into accommodation that is accessed via cobbles or other uncertain paving materials, or even gravel. I also find them superior for using public transport, and going up and down stairs when there is no lift!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

for anyone looking for 2-wheelers... perters of kensington seem to have some.

They've been around forever, although I've never purchased from them.

Here is a link to the Samsonite page: Peter's of Kensington | Search Results

Have bought through them several times as prices can be excellent, with various cases heavily discount from time to time below anyone else. Very happy with their service and quick delivery.

Only mistake was buying 2 bags once the next size up from what I had originally decided on as the price was amazing. However bag was just that little bit too big for hopping on and off European trains and fitting in easily into various luggage racks. So should have stuck with the original size that I had decided on...

 

[lastrow]

I couldn't resist adding these pics to this thread

 

[Kefci2000]

For what it is worth I have got the old style Samsonite hard case spinner, the first that came out with TSA locks

It has successfully navigated 7 around the world trips 14-16 segments each and counting!!

 

[robd]

Catch of the Day have Antler Hydra for sale - all 4 wheelers -

CatchOfTheDay.com.au | Antler Hydra 4-Wheel Roller Suitcases

 

[serfty]

Catch of the day have a couple of 2 wheelers on runout:

Antler Business 100 Luggage | CatchOfTheDay.com.au

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Apart from points which have already been made, I am committed to 4 wheel spinners because of the ease with which two cases can be managed with one hand.
That is simply impossible with 2 wheel luggage.
So on the odd occasion I have travelled with 3 - or on one occasion 4 - bags, I have been able to handle them all without using a luggage trolley.
Also my bags are always heavy due to scuba or snorkelling gear, and I notice the weight on my arm with a 2 wheeler.

 

[serfty]

With multiple 2 wheelers I simply daisy-chain them - that's what the straps are for.

 

[PineappleSkip]

With multiple 2 wheelers I simply daisy-chain them - that's what the straps are for.

The road warrior's road train?

Cheers skip

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Well my visit to Costco in USA to secure cabin bag totally unfruitful - they stock absolutely nothing with pockets on front - back to the markets in PEK / PVG to replace my current roller which is now too small simply because I increased laptop size to 15in.

Bummer!

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I for one am absolutely shocked that you have gone to all the cheapest outlets possible and yet you have been unable to find exactly what you wanted.