Shipping Bikes

[seetheusachevy]

I have a couple of bikes I want to sell. I have a pretty active e bay seller list and have always had good luck selling bike parts along side my usual items. So do you guys ship a bike semi-disassemble? These are just 20 inch high riser bikes. I stopped using UPS about a year ago but I still have an account. I have shipped some larger items recently Parcel Post but it seems to take too long.

What techniques do you guys like for shipping a bike?

 

[HotRodRob]

If you really want to do it right, follow this video step by step and you should have a happy customer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjaPw7-N ... 4WwuquxGtI

 

[Rat Rod]

1. Find a bike box that matches the size bike you are shipping, check with your LBS.
2. Buy some foam pipe insulator wrap or a swimming pool noodle.
3. Buy some large zip ties
4. Remove pedals, front wheel, handlebars and seat.
5. Wrap foam pipe insulators around as much of the bike frame and forks as possible.
6. Zip tie foam around frame.
7. Cut up some extra cardboard from spare boxes and use this to wedge in between parts that you fit into the box...especially between front wheel and frame.
8. Zip tie everything inside the bike box together so that NOTHING MOVES. Contents should be one solid mass.
9. Stuff empty spaces in bike box with old newspapers or Wal-Mart bags.
9. Cut down height of box if there is any extra room...they charge by size of box, not by weight. Sometimes an inch can make a big difference.
10. Write person's mailing address with black Sharpie marker on several sides of the bike box.
11. Mark out all old bar codes and mailing info.
12. Haul that sucker to FedEx and ship it on out!

 

[udallcustombikes]

Here is the proper way to ship a bike from the how-to manual
http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23583

As far who to ship with, I use the USPS for parts and UPS for frames and whole bikes.

Hope this helps.

 

[Rat Rod]

If you really want to do it right, follow this video step by step and you should have a happy customer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjaPw7-N ... 4WwuquxGtI

Rule #1: Don't put a dadgum razor blade in your mouth.

 

[udallcustombikes]

I guess that I should also say that I have never shipped a bike in a cardboard box.

I build a rectangular "frame" out of 1x8 (frame only) or 1x12 (whole bike) pine. I then use small chunks of 1x4 to build bracing inside the box frame to support the bike and all of the loose parts. Once I have secured everything inside the frame, I then get large sheets of cardboard to close up both open sides of the box/crate. I will try to scrounge up some pics of the last bike I shipped.

This adds about $20 in materials to the packaging cost and about 7 extra pounds to the weight. But I know that when the bike reaches the person who bought it, it is in the exact same condition as when I sent it. I haven't had anyone complain about the extra cost when they see the protection it bought.

 

[SSG]

Its also a good idea to screw a piece of wood or a bolt and some tubing between the fork ends and dropouts to prevent them from being bent inwards.

 

[udallcustombikes]

The only pic I could find was of a Huffy Mono-Shock frame I sold a while back. All packed and secure.