How to pack a bike 101
09-05-11, 07:35 AM
#51
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And another frameset.....this one was in fair condition so it didnt make sense to wrap every inch of every tube in pipe insulation:
04-19-12, 06:51 AM
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One of the keys to getting a big frame in a box the angle. You need to angle the frame to the BB and headtube are along the bottom of the box.....the DT needs to run along the bottom. Doing this lowers the height of the box because the seat lug now angles down sometimes it slighlty shortnes the box because the rear dropouts are moved up and maybe in a little. The pic below is my 'dry fit' and there's one galring problem, the fork steerer is resting against the bottom of the box. I repositioned the fork.
Bike boxes range in width from 7" to over 8", when I pack frames I look for as close to 7" boxes as I can. I dont think chopping a box into a parralellogram helps, you still have lenght plus girth in which case the sender (fedex/usps) will measure H X L X W and lose what I feel are important voids in the box which offer crush protection.
Bike boxes range in width from 7" to over 8", when I pack frames I look for as close to 7" boxes as I can. I dont think chopping a box into a parralellogram helps, you still have lenght plus girth in which case the sender (fedex/usps) will measure H X L X W and lose what I feel are important voids in the box which offer crush protection.
12-01-14, 12:06 PM
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@miamijim I take pictures as I pack the bike or any large item (frame) and email the photo's to the buyer as referrence for them and me.
One of the keys to getting a big frame in a box the angle. You need to angle the frame to the BB and headtube are along the bottom of the box.....the DT needs to run along the bottom. Doing this lowers the height of the box because the seat lug now angles down sometimes it slighlty shortnes the box because the rear dropouts are moved up and maybe in a little. The pic below is my 'dry fit' and there's one galring problem, the fork steerer is resting against the bottom of the box. I repositioned the fork.
Bike boxes range in width from 7" to over 8", when I pack frames I look for as close to 7" boxes as I can. I dont think chopping a box into a parralellogram helps, you still have lenght plus girth in which case the sender (fedex/usps) will measure H X L X W and lose what I feel are important voids in the box which offer crush protection.
Bike boxes range in width from 7" to over 8", when I pack frames I look for as close to 7" boxes as I can. I dont think chopping a box into a parralellogram helps, you still have lenght plus girth in which case the sender (fedex/usps) will measure H X L X W and lose what I feel are important voids in the box which offer crush protection.
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Moots VaMoots 2012-Peugeot Mixte 1974-Peugeot Mixte 1973
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07-15-15, 02:15 PM
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Here's my latest technique. I've pretty much abandoned blocking the dropouts, in all honesty it's one of the tasks I dislike most. I'm now using remnants of the cut down box to make a full width triangulated insert for the rear triangle then I wrap another piece of cardboard around the outside of the triangle/dropouts. You'd have to run over the box with car to crush it.
The frameset pictures weighed approximately 14 pounds...They seem to average 11.5 to 14.
The frameset pictures weighed approximately 14 pounds...They seem to average 11.5 to 14.
07-15-15, 03:04 PM
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Been packing up bicycles for quite a while now. I am loath to use all of that plastic pipe warp. I find it to be costly and environmentally unfriendly. For my money, I just use heavy cardboard, wrapped around tubing or what ever, and tightly tie-wrapped into place. But that is just me and I have sent over 500 bicycles to almost every corner of the planet. This one went to Japan...
And this one came with me to Jamaica...
The guy at the airport said that I did such a good job of packing, he would wave the $75.00 fee and charge me only $25.00 for a second piece of luggage.
And this one came with me to Jamaica...
The guy at the airport said that I did such a good job of packing, he would wave the $75.00 fee and charge me only $25.00 for a second piece of luggage.
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07-15-15, 03:36 PM
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Been packing up bicycles for quite a while now. I am loath to use all of that plastic pipe warp. I find it to be costly and environmentally unfriendly. For my money, I just use heavy cardboard, wrapped around tubing or what ever, and tightly tie-wrapped into place. But that is just me and I have sent over 500 bicycles to almost every corner of the planet. This one went to Japan....
07-15-15, 05:27 PM
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This has been one of the most helpful threads of all time, like the new triangle technique for the rear drops. Thanks Jim!!!
07-15-15, 07:23 PM
#60
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The local LBS gives away bike boxes, but for frames/forks only I prefer flat screen HDTV boxes. Often no cutting and free foamy inserts.
07-16-15, 08:20 AM
#62
Still learning
Another shipping tip for components, rather than use USPS PRIORITY FLAT RATE boxes, there are USPS PRIORITY REGIONAL A & B Boxes. If you're going less than 1/2 the distance across the USA, they can save you a substantial amount. You may need to order the boxes on line.
07-16-15, 08:37 AM
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Here's my latest technique. I've pretty much abandoned blocking the dropouts, in all honesty it's one of the tasks I dislike most. I'm now using remnants of the cut down box to make a full width triangulated insert for the rear triangle then I wrap another piece of cardboard around the outside of the triangle/dropouts. You'd have to run over the box with car to crush it.
The frameset pictures weighed approximately 14 pounds...They seem to average 11.5 to 14.
The frameset pictures weighed approximately 14 pounds...They seem to average 11.5 to 14.
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07-22-15, 01:24 AM
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For what it's worth, Rivendell just put out a 7+ minute video of their latest frame-packing technique. I like that they use a bit more earth friendly items and eschew the old, pricey, foam blocks but I'm not sure how that is a benefit, waste wise, over pool-noodles. Still, not a bad method I suppose.
My biggest question, does their bubble wrap have a mild adhesive on one side?
My biggest question, does their bubble wrap have a mild adhesive on one side?
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The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
07-22-15, 09:42 AM
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But with so much lateral protection from the cardboard and pool noodles, does that matter? I see the bubble wrap as nothing more as scratch insurance against the cardboard "skeleton" rubbing against the frame.
Later in the video they show how they cover this to cap off the top for protection.
Later in the video they show how they cover this to cap off the top for protection.
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The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
07-22-15, 12:47 PM
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No, not really. I understand lateral protection for the rear triangle but I don't understand it mid box. With the fork installed there's no way that box falls under some shipping L+G cut offs.
08-25-17, 08:15 AM
#69
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Really frustrating! All the photo bucket photos are gone!
Anyone know of another illustrated guide to packing & shipping?
TIA
Anyone know of another illustrated guide to packing & shipping?
TIA
09-08-17, 05:36 AM
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Huh. The dadgummed photobucket changes have ruined the pictorial tutorial.
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Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
Gone away: '97 Diamondback Topanga SE, '97 Giant ATX 840 project bike; '01 Giant TCR1 SL; and a truckload of miscellaneous bikes used up by the kids and grand-kids
Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
