Folding Bikes - Shipping a Raleigh Twenty

I'm auctioning a Raleigh Twenty on e-Bay and willl need to partially dismantle, pack and ship to the new owner. I've seen several well written posts here regarding packaging of bikes to avoid damage. I plan on removing the front wheel, handlebars, pedals, seat post and saddle. My question is has anyone here shipped a Twenty before and if so, do you have any tips that would be relevent to that type of bike? I'm assuming that it's best not to ship in the folded position.

Yes you can disassemble it or fold to make is smaller but why? chances are during shipping the nuts bolts will likely to come off and get lost unless you tape them all.

geet a used and free bicycle shipping box from your local bike shop or sporting good stores that sell bikes[i normally just dumpster dive instead of bothering them]

most of the boxes i've seen are really well built to take the abuse of shipping a complete bike. recommend the pedals be taken off , seatpost/seat lowered or removed, and the handlebars lowered and twisted parallel to the bike to conserve space.

tape any items that can come loose like the L bolts that are irreplaceable or any hardware that might come loose. Pad the area where the indicator rod exits the rear axle if you don't it will put a hole on the box an possibly damage the indicator chain or both. Pad the rear fender if it has one the relector or fender will be bent during shipping sure im sure of that !....oh...inflate the tires well !! last thing insure it that might be a good idea as ebay now makes it a sellers responsibility and can not charge the buyer extra for insurance.

My last new Folding bike, a Dahon Mu Uno, was shipped folded from LL Bean in Maine. And this Bike is not near as heavy duty as your Raleigh. It arrived in great condition and was well protected in a sturdy shpg box with plenty of styrafoam on the sides.No Problem. My other non folding bikes that I have bought/sold on eBay or craigslist I have taken to a Neighborhood LBS where for $25, they supply the Box and disassemble the Bike and prepare and seal the Box so its ready to go. I charge the buyer this $25. When buying a Bike long distance, I request the seller to take it to a LBS and have them pack it(as long as its around $25-$35). I have had bad luck(once) with a seller doing his own packing and not protecting the Bike with adequate protection esp on the sides on the Bike so I personally would rather a Pro Bike Shop do the packing. My 2 Cents