Touring - Shipping bike

Does anyone know of a cheap way to ship my bike cross-country? I just finished a cross-country biking trip and want to fly home but it'll cost $80 uninsured on the airplane and $96 uninsured with Fedex. It's only a $300 bike but I plan on doing more touring with it. When I bought it I only paid $30-40 shipping on ebay. How come I can't find this sweet deal now?

Thanks

$96 for fedex? Was it fedex ground you were looking at. Thats the cheapest I've found. The trick is to get a bike box from a shop and take the bike apart.

Fedex Ground almost always is the cheapest. I've shipped bikes cross-country with significant insurance for less than $40. Just go beg a bike store for a box or offer them $5 for packing material.

Besides the seat, handlebars, wheels, and pedals, what else needs to come off to shipt the bike?

Besides the seat, handlebars, wheels, and pedals, what else needs to come off to shipt the bike?

That would depend on your box size, but probably the rack and fenders if you have them.

I was able to get ours into boxes without removing the racks and fenders. Of course, you will need to take off at lease one of the wheels, probably the front. You might be able to leave the handlebars on and just tilt them down.

http://www.vwvagabonds.com/Bike/images/BikeTales3.JPG

Where are you? Cross which country?

Bikes fly for free on Canadian airlines both within Canada and internationally. You might have to get on in Canada though.

Air Canada website says $50US or $50CAD one way for a bicycle.

Take your bike to a nearby bike shop. Have them pack and ship - maybe $20 - but they get UPS rates individuals can't get. My guess is that it will come to $50 - $60 total. They can ship it right back to your house or your neighbor's if someone is there to receive it.