Bicycle Mechanics - Shipping a bike from Los Angeles

Anyone ever ship a bike from Los Angeles? What's the best way?

To where?

On every bike I have shipped, I have had my LBS pack it, then I ship it UPS ground. Have not had any problems yet.

Make sure that whoever does the packing, even your local pro-shop(best bet) guards the protruding ends
of your frame(drop-outs and stays, fork tips) as well as tube surfaces with ample cushion and protection from loads imposed from the outside.
I'm dealing w/a nightmare "who's gonna cover/take the rap" situation w/my Schwinn Fastback Pro's driveside dropout, bent during shipping. Cast aluminum alloy, not 'easily' bent back to shape!!!! Sent by US Postal.
Make sure you insure & document thoroughly. Remind them that America's favorite son, LA, has brought them renewed publicity & svc. confidence and "they owe" us cyclists ;)

Go to Home Depot or other home improvement store and buy some foam pipe insulation. This looks like a black foam tube slit down one side. Also buy some plastic zip ties.

Get a bike box from your local bike dealer and ask if he has any of the plastic spacers that go between the front and rear dropouts. Most bikes shipped from a manufacturer come with these and they just get thrown away.

Take the wheels out of the bike. Put the foam insulation on all the tubes and attach with zip ties. Turn the handlebars sideways and fasten it to the top tube with a zip tie. (Make sure there is foam between the handlebars and top tube.)

Remove the rear derailleur from the rear dropout but leave it attached to the chain. Put the derailleur bolt in a large plastic bag (A grocery bag is fine) and wrap the bag around the derailleur and tape it. Make sure the chain is on one of the chain rings; hook it on the rear drop out or better yet the chain hanger if the bike has one, then tie it up to the brake bridge with a zip tie so it is not flopping around loose inside the box. Also any place where the chain might touch the frame; make sure there is foam or cardboard between to protect.

If you could not get plastic spacers from your bike dealer; cut pieces of wood to fit tightly between the front and rear dropouts and fasten with wood screws and washers. Next and probably one of the most important things in packing a bike; put foam followed by extra cardboard on the front and rear dropouts or they will poke through the box for sure and end up bent. Also put padding and cardboard on the bottom of the chain ring.

Remove the seat post with saddle attached only if it is too big to fit in the box. Remove the quick release skewers from the wheels and attach them to one of the foam covered frame tubes with tape. Place a wheel on each side of the frame making sure there is foam between the frame and wheels. Make sure the freewheel cluster is on the inside and nowhere near a frame tube. You could also ship the wheels in a separate box if you wish.

Put the whole bike in the box and seal with tape. Some shipping companies prefer re-enforced brown paper tape over clear tape. The main thing is make sure the box is not going to bust open. Don’t forget to check the bottom of the box. I have seen people tape the hell out of the top of the box; only to have the bottom fall out.

Ship UPS or FedEx Ground is the most economical way. Insure it for the value of the bike plus the cost of the shipping.

To save on shipping cost, take your ready-to-ship carton directly to UPS of FEDEX centers. I've shipped several bikes out of UPS main terminal, near downtown L.A.... no problem.

As others have mentioned using pipe insulation, plastic end protectors, etc.... I like to zip tie everything together as one unit and simply slide it into the carton......no loose parts or components.

For those that have done it, about how much does it cost to ship a bike VIA UPS ground? I know it depends on distance and I have figured it is zone 3 (central PA to Columbus OH) but when I put everything in the online UPS calc it says it is going to be $89 which just doesn't seem right.

Any help here?
Thanks

For those that have done it, about how much does it cost to ship a bike VIA UPS ground? I know it depends on distance and I have figured it is zone 3 (central PA to Columbus OH) but when I put everything in the online UPS calc it says it is going to be $89 which just doesn't seem right.

Any help here?
Thanks


Doesn't seem right how? UPS quoted $210 to ship a tandem from denver to minneapolis. Thats a little nuts. Going with greyhound for $75 instead. They only insure up to $1000, which can be a little risky, depending on the bike. We're figuring they won't lose it entirely and can't do $1k of damage...

Doesn't seem right how? UPS quoted $210 to ship a tandem from denver to minneapolis. Thats a little nuts. Going with greyhound for $75 instead. They only insure up to $1000, which can be a little risky, depending on the bike. We're figuring they won't lose it entirely and can't do $1k of damage...

Well I haven't ever shipped a bike but the price seems very high IMO. A Tandem is rather larde and you get into oversized shipping but I am talking about a pretty normal sized box and ~30 lbs probably less.

FedEx is cheaper. FedEx is priced by weight. UPS is priced by size. FedEx is around $35 without insurance.

I've shipped two bikes from I. Martin bike shop in West Hollywood (on Beverly Blvd about 5 blocks East of the Beverly Center) for $100 for disassembly, packing, and shipping to NYC. No problems either time -- they did a fantastic job of well-protecting the bikes.

-s