|   what's the best AFFORDABLE way to ship a bike | NoBonk
Apr 29, 2003 7:27 AM | | i need to get my mtn bike from Golden, CO to Oakhurst, CA in a couple of weeks. I don't have a bike transport case (b/c they cost so damn much) so checking it as a bike on my flight out there isn't really an option (unless someone in the Golden area wants to lend me their case). I will be travelling back and forth between CO and CA for about 3 months for work so I plan on getting the bike out there, locking it up at a LBS (if they will let me) when I am not there and then just sending it back after the 3 months.
So I am looking at shipping it with fedex, UPS, or some other carrier. I was planning on getting a box from my LBS and packing it real solid. I figure bikes are shipped all the time from mfgs to LBSs so the bike shouldn't get messed up.
Anybody have advice on who would be the cheapest? Or if they have had an LBS ship it and just paid them?
Thanks
NB |
| Have work pay for it... | Fat-tire
Apr 29, 2003 7:50 AM | | Can you make the case that my this temporary relocation, you are suffering a hardship, and ask them to ship it for you.
If not, it's probably easier to just have an LBS do it. It will be probably about $40-$60 total though. Of, see if they have a box, and do it yourself (if you know how, or ask them). As for carrier, no idea which is cheaper). |
| UPS sucks, but it's the best-- | sdbullock
Apr 29, 2003 8:01 AM | | believe it or not. Youve got the right idea; go to lbs, get the best box you can, and tear down your bike. Wrap everything in closed cell foam, and put whatever doesnt have to stay attached to the bike in a well packed shoe box (disc should come off wheels, skewers, my seat collar comes off easily, so i put it in there, pedals, computer, derailleur w/hanger [if possible], and anything else you think might flop around in shipping). I usually put reassembly tools in this box, too, just to make sure it arrives al together. Just add that to the big box.
Take your stem off and put the retainer cap back on the fork/star nut and tape (with much foam or bubble wrap) the hbar/stem to the fork. Wrap and tape liberally again. Make sure both dropouts are wrapped and taped well, too, as this is a sensitive area. Sometimes bike shops have little plastic thingies that go in the drop outs; get these if you can. I remove and wrap my saddle and pin and just add it to the heap; seat pins can scratch paint if youre not careful. I typically toss my helmet and shoes in, too; shoes can be slipped on crank arms for extra protection.
Ive done this a ton of times, and every time it went from Boulder CO to Calgary AB without a hitch (save for f**kin Canadian customs). Sending it slow boat (still only four days) costs $55 max (this varies by weight, and i sometimes have a heavy box, sometimes a light one). I would imagine you can ship it to CA for $35. UPS picks up, too, but i think that was because i didnt want to drive all the way to dtown Golden to drop it off; check if their office is in Golden. It can sometimes be a waste of a day, as they just tell you 'we'll be there btween 9 and 5'. Pretty much w/o exception, everyone that works for UPS is an a**hole, but sometimes you get lucky. Everything always gets there on time, though (unlike fedex, for some reason).
Good luck! |
| If i remember correctly, | sdbullock
Apr 29, 2003 8:04 AM | | a bike box is the max linear inches allowed by UPS (i think 120, but it says on their site), so add 15 lbs to the current weight of youre bike for packaging and calculate the cost on their website (all you need are zip codes). |
| in this case UPS will be the least costly | The Weasel
Apr 29, 2003 8:36 AM | | but you may want to call each carrier and get a qoute using the dimensions of the box you will be using. Since a DIM (dimensions exceeding) will kick in for UPS, they will charge you for a standard poundage, even if it is 30lbs or less. The reason UPS should be cheaper than Fedex is that the package should not cross more than 2 UPS zones. Once you do this, the rate is multiplied. Again though try getting quotes from each, you might be surprised. And get lots o insurance, it's cheap and worth it (maybe). |
| re: what's the best AFFORDABLE way to ship a bike | LW
Apr 29, 2003 8:53 AM | | You might try FedEx ground freight. Shouldn't take too much time to go from CO to CA and it might be cheaper than UPS. Mine made it from NC to CA in one piece that way.
Another option is to pack your bike in a box like you're going to ship it but carry it on the plane with you. I did that and it was fine. You'll have to pay the extra baggage, of course, but it would be the same as carrying the case.
If you fly America West, and if you sign up for Active.com's active advantage, you can get vouchers to fly your bike for free. You just have to plan ahead because active.com has to send you the vouchers in the mail.
Or if you're a NORBA member and fly United you can get vouchers for free. I think there's even a link to request it on the USAC website.
Good luck |
| FREE on United? | sdbullock
Apr 29, 2003 9:20 AM | | Damn, wish i would have known about that a few weeks ago (leaving tommorrow). It think it's about $90 to check a bike normally, so i just shipped it anyway. |
| Yep. Appears that way.... | Braids
Apr 29, 2003 9:46 AM | | Flew on Air Canada from Toronto to Denver. Charged $60 (Canadian) to bring my bike with me. Flew back on Air Canada, Denver to Toronto but checked my baggage at a United Counter (they handle AC in Denver) and I was not charged extra for flying my bike. |
| Fedex ground...fastest and cheapest...and anything is better ... | chewbacca
Apr 29, 2003 9:19 AM | | ...than brown!
I've been shipping bikes all over the US lately, been having much better luck with Fedex than with UPS...they are cheaper, get it there faster and seem to be a little more gentle with the boxes.
Get a good solid box from your LBS, pack it up real good with bubblewrap, peanuts, newspaaper....make sure nothing is going to be rubbing against the frame and such and protect the ends of your wheel axles...
good luck, it's not that hard
bryan |
| Agreed - FedEx Ground - use a Cannondale box (nm) | soupboy187
Apr 29, 2003 10:11 AM | | |
| and here are the results for anyone interested... | NoBonk
Apr 29, 2003 10:12 AM | | UPS gave me a quote of $35 each way
Fedex said $66 each way and that was with my company's discount. The person i spoke with said it couldn't go fedex ground so that it why it was so expensive. whatever
LBS said they would do it for $26. The LBS on the other side said the same for the return
NORBA gives it members (2) one way bike checking vouchers for United Airlines.
IMBA gives it members the same thing for America West and Frontier with some blackouts.
The guy I talked to at my LBS said that from his experience bikes tend to get better treatment with UPS or FEDEX as compared to the baggage handling systems and handlers at airports. that i can believe after watching a handler in San Diego basically spiking every bag she grabbed onto the conveyer belt as if she just scored a touchdown.
So I am going the LBS route. |
| I always use UPS, because... | Bikebreath
Apr 29, 2003 10:30 AM | | ...I can insure it and you can't with an airline. Not that it's easy to get UPS to accept it's responsibility, I'm told, but you can get what you're owed, with the appropriate nagging.
Bb, [ had good luck everyone of my 6 shippings. ] |
| FedEx was nearly half price than UPS for NY->AZ->NY (NT) | Christine
Apr 30, 2003 4:30 PM | | |
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