General Cycling Discussion - Anyone Shipped A Bike Lately?

I'm wondering who is best (UPS, FED EX, or POSTAL SERVICE). I also wonder who is cheapest AND did you use a box from your LBS or did the carrier have something you could use? Thanks - O.

No suggestions about which carrier, but as per the box: Snag one from the lbs. When properly packed, an average box will fit 90% of bikes. And I would be willing to bet that and shop would be more than happy to give a box away.

I used one from LBS and shipped UPS. When i did the online calculator it cost around $50. Then I got a bill for $125. I called UPS up and they waived the charges but be careful. I nearly crapped.

I use Fedex. No particular reason really although I do like their tracking better.

Costs me from $40-$55 per 30-35lb bike box

I was on the receiving end of a shipment from Fed Ex. It came in a bike box. Fed Ex appeared to have taken pretty good care of it. The shipper was a bike shop.

Some bike boxes are "oversized" by UPS standards. I believe that you get charged by "dimensional weight" when length + (2x width) + (2x height) >= 108 inches. That increases the cost of shipping a bike from about $40 to $90. I've been hit by this twice out of three shipments, though I was getting reimbursed by weight so I didn't care. Not sure what fedex policies are.

Call your LBS and see what they'll charge. Sometimes it's not that expensive and will save you some hassle.