Csdhlhcky

Hey guys, I'm sure there are tons of threads like this but for some reason the search function keeps giving me an error when I attempt to use it. So my question is, how much should it cost for a bike shop to pack and ship a bike to me? I am purchasing a new ride from a shipper off craigslist and he said his local shop quoted him at $40 to pack, $140 for shipping. This is a 56cm bike weighing around 15.5lbs. This just seems very steep to me. Anyone have experience shipping bikes for less?

gregf83 

The packing seems reasonable but you might be able to do better on shipping if you have access to discounts from Fedex or UPS.

rms13

Weight isn't as much of an issue as girth of the box. UPS tends to be the most expensive. USPS is usually cheaper but you have to keep girth under 108" I believe. I've heard of people shipping complete steel bikes for $40 if done right bit it all depends on how far, shipper, how its boxed and if shipper has their own account and discounts

f4rrest

You can ship a bike on Greyhound Package Express for $50 to $80, depending on distance. Very reasonable.

RoadGuy

It's my experience (SoCal) that bike shops do not ship bikes for you. As a service, around here, they will dismantle and pack a bike in a bike box (box included) for $50-$75. But the actually shipping is up to the owner. Reason? If something goes wrong in shipping, the bike shop has already gotten their money, and has no part in the Insurance Claims procedure. Everything (including any loss) is dropped squarely on the Party that sent the bike.A

As has already been explained by other Posters, the shipping weight of the box has nothing to do with the shipping rate, which is based of the volume measurement of the box on oversized boxes. Also keep in mind that the Shipper (in the case of eBay/PayPal transactions) is getting charge 13-15% by eBay/PayPal even on the shipping charges. So if the bike shop charges the Sender $40 to pack and $125 to ship, you are going to be charged an extra $22+ on top to cover the eBay and PayPal Fees on the shipping.

hngu7721

I would recommend you look into Bikeflights.com for your shipping needs. I recently shipped a ~28lb bike from CA to MD for roughly ~$60 via FEDEX GND using Bikeflight.

Most bike shops will have plenty of bike boxes for you to take (just call and ask). Packing is fairly straightforward; take off handlebar from stem, remove pedals, seatpost, and front wheel. Then I'd suggest bubble wrapping the frame, fork, and in between any parts in the box so that there's no contact between the individual parts.

Hope that helps.

Psimet2001 

Bicycles and wheels are hated as much in the shipping and freight world as they are on the road. Best of luck.

TheManShow

If you are where there is a Co-Way Trucking Company they are a less than full load carrier. Call then and ask about their rate to move your bike.

Csdhlhcky

I've recently seen BikeFlights being advertised on the sides of this website. Looks like a legit and cheap way to ship. I read a few positive reviews online, but does anyone here have any experience?

indyfabz

+1. Recently used bikeflights.com to ship my bike to Rapid City, SD. Touring bike with racks in case with a total (over)estimated weight of 65 lbs. was $57 including $1,500 in insurance. That was for four-day ground shipping. If you purchase through them, you get a pre-paid shipping label emailed to you 10 days before the scheduled ship date. $5 surcharge for pickup at a LBS. You could forward the email to the shop and ask them to slap it on the box.

$40 for packing is reasonable. Cheapest I have found here in Philly is $50. Some places it's as high as $75.

indyfabz

See Post #10 in this thread. This was my second experience. Used them last year when I toured in Montana. Everything went fine, although there was a delay on the return shipping due to weather in the Midwest, but you can't blame them for that.