Yet another bike shipping question.....
05-01-06, 12:58 PM
#1
Velocipedic Practitioner
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 488
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Bianchi Volpe, Trek 5000, Santana Arriva tandem, Pashley Sovereign, among others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yet another bike shipping question.....
This question may have been asked before, but I did not find it in a forum search.
In our new world, catching a flight is turning more and more into an ordeal. Therefore, I try to make flying as simple as possible. It's less stressful on me and I'm sure Trans. Security appreciates it as well.
When traveling with a bike, I've always carried it with me on my flight. Now I'm wondering if it would be more simple to ship it ahead of time when taking a domestic flight. But when I checked the rate tool on the UPS website, I was astounded that the price of shipping my bike one way was nearly double the cost of my airfare to the same destination.
Anyone have any suggestions for shipping bikes domestically at a reasonable cost? I can continue taking it with me on my flights, but I was really hoping to avoid having to cart a bike box around on my flights.
In our new world, catching a flight is turning more and more into an ordeal. Therefore, I try to make flying as simple as possible. It's less stressful on me and I'm sure Trans. Security appreciates it as well.
When traveling with a bike, I've always carried it with me on my flight. Now I'm wondering if it would be more simple to ship it ahead of time when taking a domestic flight. But when I checked the rate tool on the UPS website, I was astounded that the price of shipping my bike one way was nearly double the cost of my airfare to the same destination.
Anyone have any suggestions for shipping bikes domestically at a reasonable cost? I can continue taking it with me on my flights, but I was really hoping to avoid having to cart a bike box around on my flights.
05-01-06, 02:57 PM
#3
angry young clown
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Denver
Posts: 76
Bikes: bianchi rollo, trek 520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've shipped things through fedexKinkos ground and it was in the 50$ range from denver out to Oregon to ride up the gorge. takes it 3-4 days but for us was definitely cheaper than hauling it around the airport and then paying United 80$ as well...
good luck.
good luck.
05-01-06, 05:38 PM
#4
You need a new bike
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,433
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Don't ship your bike overnight. Send it by FedEx or UPS ground. Be sure to use a box that is not too large or you get hit with a significant oversize charge. A CrateWorks box is just small enough to avoid the high oversize surcharge. Most bike boxes, if you decide to take that risk, should be small enough as well. Cost should be in the $50 range within the Contiguous US.
05-01-06, 07:06 PM
#5
Ultra-clydesdale
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA or St Paul, MN
Posts: 572
Bikes: Titus Racer-X AL/Trek 520(RIP)/Trek 930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by supcom
Don't ship your bike overnight. Send it by FedEx or UPS ground. Be sure to use a box that is not too large or you get hit with a significant oversize charge. A CrateWorks box is just small enough to avoid the high oversize surcharge. Most bike boxes, if you decide to take that risk, should be small enough as well. Cost should be in the $50 range within the Contiguous US.
05-01-06, 07:42 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: On the Road
Posts: 1,260
Bikes: Custom built tourer, custom electric bike, beaters everywhere
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
In Canada sports equipment (read bicycle) is free on airplanes. Why would you pay when you can ship free and it travels with you? If you ship UPS where would you pick up your bike? Certainly not at the aiport!
I've said this before: Ride your bike to the airport, roll it into a plastic bag (tires deflated, bars turned, pedals removed). You also may wish to keep the front wheel from turning as this may cause damage during shipping. When you arrive at your destination remove the bike from the bag, take 5 minutes to re-assemble and ride away from the airport.
This method works well, it is cheap and you don't have to worry about storing a bag/box or even coming back from the same airport.
Yes, there is a possibility that the bike will be damaged. I've done this many times and the damage has always been limited to scratches and marks. If this is a problem, don't tour! There will always be scratches and marks.
I've said this before: Ride your bike to the airport, roll it into a plastic bag (tires deflated, bars turned, pedals removed). You also may wish to keep the front wheel from turning as this may cause damage during shipping. When you arrive at your destination remove the bike from the bag, take 5 minutes to re-assemble and ride away from the airport.
This method works well, it is cheap and you don't have to worry about storing a bag/box or even coming back from the same airport.
Yes, there is a possibility that the bike will be damaged. I've done this many times and the damage has always been limited to scratches and marks. If this is a problem, don't tour! There will always be scratches and marks.
05-01-06, 07:54 PM
#7
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ogopogo's shoreline
Posts: 4,082
Bikes: LHT, Kona Smoke
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I just box it up and get to the airport early. I've never had a problem, other than the $75 US in oversized luggage fees
If you can at all "chat up" people, most folks will bend over backwards to accommodate a Quixotic bicycle tourist.
If you can at all "chat up" people, most folks will bend over backwards to accommodate a Quixotic bicycle tourist.
05-01-06, 08:09 PM
#8
You need a new bike
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,433
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by stokell
In Canada sports equipment (read bicycle) is free on airplanes. Why would you pay when you can ship free and it travels with you? If you ship UPS where would you pick up your bike? Certainly not at the aiport!
I've said this before: Ride your bike to the airport, roll it into a plastic bag (tires deflated, bars turned, pedals removed). You also may wish to keep the front wheel from turning as this may cause damage during shipping. When you arrive at your destination remove the bike from the bag, take 5 minutes to re-assemble and ride away from the airport.
This method works well, it is cheap and you don't have to worry about storing a bag/box or even coming back from the same airport.
Yes, there is a possibility that the bike will be damaged. I've done this many times and the damage has always been limited to scratches and marks. If this is a problem, don't tour! There will always be scratches and marks.
I've said this before: Ride your bike to the airport, roll it into a plastic bag (tires deflated, bars turned, pedals removed). You also may wish to keep the front wheel from turning as this may cause damage during shipping. When you arrive at your destination remove the bike from the bag, take 5 minutes to re-assemble and ride away from the airport.
This method works well, it is cheap and you don't have to worry about storing a bag/box or even coming back from the same airport.
Yes, there is a possibility that the bike will be damaged. I've done this many times and the damage has always been limited to scratches and marks. If this is a problem, don't tour! There will always be scratches and marks.
Depending on where you are headed, you could call an LBS in the city and arrange for them to accept and reassemble your bike. Or, if you are staying in a hotel, you may be able to arrange for them to accept the bike for you. If nothing else, if you send FedEx, you should be able to send it for pickup at a FedEx warehouse. Plenty of options.
05-01-06, 08:56 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Okanagan Valley, BC CANADA
Posts: 1,049
Bikes: Trek 7300FX, Lemond Sarthe
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by stokell
In Canada sports equipment (read bicycle) is free on airplanes. Why would you pay when you can ship free and it travels with you? If you ship UPS where would you pick up your bike? Certainly not at the aiport!
I've said this before: Ride your bike to the airport, roll it into a plastic bag (tires deflated, bars turned, pedals removed). You also may wish to keep the front wheel from turning as this may cause damage during shipping. When you arrive at your destination remove the bike from the bag, take 5 minutes to re-assemble and ride away from the airport.
This method works well, it is cheap and you don't have to worry about storing a bag/box or even coming back from the same airport.
Yes, there is a possibility that the bike will be damaged. I've done this many times and the damage has always been limited to scratches and marks. If this is a problem, don't tour! There will always be scratches and marks.
I've said this before: Ride your bike to the airport, roll it into a plastic bag (tires deflated, bars turned, pedals removed). You also may wish to keep the front wheel from turning as this may cause damage during shipping. When you arrive at your destination remove the bike from the bag, take 5 minutes to re-assemble and ride away from the airport.
This method works well, it is cheap and you don't have to worry about storing a bag/box or even coming back from the same airport.
Yes, there is a possibility that the bike will be damaged. I've done this many times and the damage has always been limited to scratches and marks. If this is a problem, don't tour! There will always be scratches and marks.
See: https://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...cked.html#r1s1
I don't know what is the best way to "pack a Bike" but the plastic bag method has worked for a lot of people.
05-01-06, 09:14 PM
#10
Beagle on wheels
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, AU
Posts: 54
Bikes: GT Timberline
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by bccycleguy
I don't know what is the best way to "pack a Bike" but the plastic bag method has worked for a lot of people.
05-01-06, 09:45 PM
#11
Velocipedic Practitioner
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 488
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Bianchi Volpe, Trek 5000, Santana Arriva tandem, Pashley Sovereign, among others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by supcom
Depending on where you are headed, you could call an LBS in the city and arrange for them to accept and reassemble your bike. Or, if you are staying in a hotel, you may be able to arrange for them to accept the bike for you. If nothing else, if you send FedEx, you should be able to send it for pickup at a FedEx warehouse. Plenty of options.
Thanks for the help, everyone. Got some good info to work with.
05-01-06, 10:50 PM
#12
Ultra-clydesdale
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA or St Paul, MN
Posts: 572
Bikes: Titus Racer-X AL/Trek 520(RIP)/Trek 930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Its worth noting that on unite a bike, even in box counts simply as a piece of luggage on international flights. Simply counts as one of your 2 bags. If you have more, you're simpy charged an extra bag fee.
