Northeast - OT: Shipping Handlebars

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View Full Version : OT: Shipping Handlebars

Papa Tom
10-01-09, 05:53 AM
Sorry to go a little off-topic here, but I figured SOMEONE in this group might be able to help.

Yesterday, I offered a stranger a set of brand new cruiser bike handlebars for his aging bike so that he and his wife could get back to their much-enjoyed rides along the beach in New Jersey. The problem is, now I have to ship them.

These curvy suckers measure about 27" side to side and 10" deep, given the big cruiser bar bend in them. I guess I can find a box that's about 28" X 11" and just bite the bullet on shipping, but I'm hoping there's a better solution. Oh, I should mention, this is a "gift" and I'm paying for the shipping from New York, too.

My question: Does anybody have any tricks for packing handlebars and shipping them fairly inexpensively?

Thanks!

old and new
10-01-09, 06:26 AM
NO... Is the "gift" going to someone here at the forums ? Just wondering...
Bars 'll cost you twenty dollars to ship. You can't fold 'em, no creative way to pack them. In your case the cost is based on size not wt. I'd asked to whom, based on the Frt. cost. Perfectly reasdonable to the recipient to pay Freight. Your biting the bullet doesn't seem fair unless is a birthday gift.
Papa Tom
10-01-09, 06:56 AM
>>>>Is the "gift" going to someone here at the forums ?<<<<<

The recipient is not a "Forums" type of cyclist, but someone who is down on his luck right now, due to the sudden crash and burn of a certain type of repair business. He fixed something for me the other day and wouldn't take the full value of his time, even though he can't even afford a cheap set of handlebars right now. Sending him these will not only make ME feel better, but will allow the guy (an older fellow) to resume his bike rides with his wife. $20 is OK, even though I can barely afford ten. The bigger problem is how to pack these things....

Steve in MA
10-01-09, 07:02 AM
The bigger problem is how to pack these things....


Maybe your LBS would give you the packaging from a set of handlebars that they've ordered for inventory. If they're just going to toss the shipping box anyway, they'd probably be happy to see someone get some use from it (particularly for this kind of altruistic purpose).
old and new
10-01-09, 07:07 AM
OK.. Seems fair, just sayin' .... Having been in your possition, sort of, gifting can cost more the gift..
I've received a few bars over the past few years, shipped them too.
No way around it, can't cheat the size. Try US Post Office as well.
20 x 9 is the size so ck-on-line what USPS standard box is, you know, the commercials on TV all the time, they've deals. Wrap-'en in paper.
The only way I've "gotten around it" is by buying other stuff to share the box.
Papa Tom
10-01-09, 07:59 AM
Judging by the earliest responses, I gathered that this can't be done inexpensively, so I just got back from a local UPS Wrap-n-Pack store where I gave the guy $23 and he took care of the rest. Done deal. Thanks for the info, all.