Jaminsky

Hey kids,

How much should I expect to pay to ship my bike cross-country from NYC? I dont have any of the necessary materials. What shop would you suggest I go to or should I just go to the FedEx/Kinkos and do it myself?

potus

FedEx ground is usually a pretty good deal. GVH Bikes charges $50 to ship a bike from Oregon to the east via FedEx Ground. actual price is probably a few bucks cheaper.

crustedfish

are you serious?

mcatano

A word to the wise... unless things have changed in the last little while FedEx Ground is an entirely separate entity from FedEx proper. FedEx ground, from what I've heard (and this is all second hand info), is as bad if not worse than UPS for destroying, mishandling, mangling, losing, etc packages. I've had a couple of people who tried to ship large pieces of audio gear through FedEx Ground and have been screwed by them.

Again, this may no longer be the case; however, when they started up a few years ago they were really sketchy.

m.

Jaminsky

Wow, thats amazing. I definitely havent heard anything particularly bad about FedEx Ground, and I assumed that FedEx Ground and FedEx proper were the same because they share the same website. But thanks for the info.

BostonFixed

I think fedex ground is a contract service from the larger fedex? I recently heard news of a lawsuit or something?

Regardless they're pretty cheap, I had a frame and a wheel shipped from CA to MA and it was only around $20, and this was in a largish box...I weould think that If you could get it in a smallish box, you might be able to ship the whole thing for under $40 or so?

Avoid the 'ups stores', they charge a large markup on the rates. Shipping fedex from kinko's is alright, I think...

You could probably get a free bike box from a LBS.

potus

I've never had any problems with UPS or FdEx Ground. I've heard horror stories about both and probably every other shipping company out there. maybe it's the luck of the draw. use dummy axles, get some of that pipe insulation from the hardware store, pack it up nice, use a nice box. when you're shipping something the size of a bike, I think you have up to 60 lbs before the price increases.

Ceya

Send me PM and if you want I will help you out!

S.F,
CEYA!

Bikeophile

out of the BIG shippers..FEDEX is the most expensive usually.

If I were you had had NO materials...I would go to your local bike shop and ask them to give you a bike box. If they aren't busy they may even help you package it up right there, especially if its YOUR LBS and they know you.

Once you have it boxed, call FEDEX and UPS and DHL and get quotes based on the dimensions and weight of your bike. My guess is that DHL might end up being the best price, but I am not positive.

I do a lot of shipping in Canada and from Canada to the USA. But I haven't done much USA to USA shipping which is why I am not positive...

jrowe

Fedex ground is most definitely a separate entity. They delivered me a bike from Idaho with no problems. Just make sure your stuff is packed properly.