General Cycling Discussion - What's the cheapest way to ship a bike?

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SunnRider
05-20-03, 12:36 PM
I checked ups.com and fedex.com but the package exceeds their size dimension limit thus I couldn't get a price quote.

How do you guys ship bikes?

Joe Gardner
05-20-03, 12:39 PM
If you are using a bike box, UPS is the best bet, it will go at the double oversize rate (70lbs rate).

Did you pack the bike, or did you have a shop pack it for you?
WorldIRC
05-20-03, 01:08 PM
Get on the bike and ride it to whereever its going :)

SunnRider
05-20-03, 01:21 PM
I will be packing it myself in the original bike box.
Joe Gardner
05-20-03, 01:26 PM
Are you sure its too big? Most bike boxes (99%) will go UPS without an issue. Just plan on paying for the 70 pound rate, not by the actual box weight.
KleinMp99
05-20-03, 01:30 PM
I dont remember having to pay the 70 pound rate every time I shipped a bike.....I think most bike boxes are just small enough to not have to pay the 70 pounds. Fedex also will ship a bike box.
Bikedud
05-20-03, 01:37 PM
It has been quite a while since I actually did ship anything by bus but I once had to ship a very large, heavy box, across the state and the bus was by far the cheapest way to go.

Has anyone ever shipped a bike by bus?
aluckyfiji
05-20-03, 01:38 PM
Remove the front and rear wheels from the bike (remember to put something there {i.e. a peice of wood cut to the proper length**) lower the seat all the way, and remove the hadlebars. If you do all this, your box size will be fine for USPS. It cost me ~40 dollar to ship from Alabama to Washington (state).
Joe Gardner
05-20-03, 01:41 PM
Unles you used a BMX bike box, you paid double oversize. All road and mtn bike boxes go at a double oversize rate.

If your box is within 108”-130” (width + girth), you are going double oversize. Oversize is charged at 30lbs min, IIRC that is for packages that fall within 84”-108”.
Kev
05-20-03, 01:41 PM
Fedex ground is about the cheapest way to ship it, last time I had a bike shipped it was around $30.
SunnRider
05-20-03, 01:42 PM
The box dimensions are 56x9x32. I'm not sure about the weight but I guesstimate about 40 lbs.
Joe Gardner
05-20-03, 01:45 PM
That would be 138" in size, too big for UPS ground, not sure about FedEx ground. You may want to see if you can get a bit smaller box from a LBS...
SunnRider
05-20-03, 01:50 PM
Same thing with Fedex. The package dimension exceeds their acceptable amount.

When you go to the LBS do you ask for them to bring you out a box or can you just go behind the building and pick one yourself?
bud
05-20-03, 01:56 PM
I've shipped boxes on Amtrak before. (Amtrak Package Express). you can try there ups & fedex don't work out. I don't know if they have package size limits. i think they just charge by weight.
Joe Gardner
05-20-03, 02:02 PM
I would call your LBS, and tell them you need a bike box that will go UPS or FedEx. Offer them a 6 pack of mt dew if they want to charge you... ;)
SunnRider
05-20-03, 02:04 PM
I'm not sure about Amtrak but Greyhound coast -to -coast would cost $48. That's a little too much.
orguasch
05-20-03, 04:37 PM
I am going to be funny here, but don't get mad at me, cheapest way to shipped a bike""ride it :beer: :beer: :D :D
SunnRider
05-20-03, 04:40 PM
How about I just roll it down a hill :o