OK, just an update. I had the frameset in the box, and it was about two inches too high. Ouch. So I followed Jim's recommendation above, rotated the frame so the DT is parallel to the bottom of the box. I went from two inches too much, to about 2 inches extra space, or a four inch swing. Based on this experience, I think I could fit a 60/61 in a 108 box, maybe something even larger.

Thanks Jim!

Well, I suppose that's one way to do it ;)

Update, so far, I am up to a 24 inch frameset in a 108 inch box. One challenge is the width of most bike boxes. I have one from the LBS that is 9 inches wide! A second one was 8 inches wide.

I plan to cut down that 9 inch wide box to 7 inches. The 8 inch box was OK only because that frame was on the small side.

Next step, attempting a 25 inch frameset.

I'll use Jim's measurements from above as a target. While the post office has been reasonable on their measurements, Fed Ed rounded UP every dimension.

From Jim's post, #14 :
"Reverse math it:

108" - 14" (widthx2) = 94"

94" - 52" (heightx2) = 42"

42" = maximum length"

I just did a 25 inch one the other day in a 108 inch box. Nice thing about the PO is that they measure it when you check in and you pay for it there. They don't sneak in an up charge like fed ex sometimes does.

I put the frame in and then mark where I am going to cut. I measure to see if I can make it under 108. If I can't, I try another angle on the bike in the box to see if that helps.

For the most part unless I am shipping out west, I don't even bother with the 108 dimension as fed ex ground is usually pretty economical.

If fed ex is around $30, I don't even bother with 108 inch box. I don't charge for packing materials. It takes all this measuring, cutting, taping, dry fitting to get it into a 108 inch box. That exercise costs me over an hour to save ~$10. Not worth it to me.

wow, that's really affordable. I'd have thought it'd be a lot more than that.

Was this one under 108? I forgot to measure it before I recycled the box. :)
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...eman/boxed.jpg

Yes. It was a hell of a lot of work as well, which is why I prefer FedEx. But from TN to WA would have been $70 via FedEx and you probably would have passed.

I definitely would have had to think a lot harder. As it is, it arrived in decent shape and was a good deal. I'm enjoying the bike a lot. :thumb:

Lascaux, the problem you have is the width of the wheels, you'll need a 9" wide box or more!!!! Just put it all in a regular 130" box and ship it Parcel Select.

Just recently I shipped a 63.5cm Paramount is a 108", I had to search around for a narrow box it I got it done. Luckily it was a racing. Bike with a short wheelbase, it were a touring bike I'm not sure it would have fit.

As a side note, I just shipped a 56cm racing bike in a ladies 54cm Madone box that measured 129". *%#*@$ LBS charged $20 for the box.

I sure would like to know how to ship a large frame or bike for under $75.00. I shipped a 64cm Super Course to my Brother in Atlanta, it cost me a $100.+.... I don't buy it.

That size bike, isn't happening. Frameset, just follow Jim's instructions on another posting. The orientation of the frame matters! And cutting the bike box, A LOT, is required. I recently shipped a 24 inch frameset in a box that was for a 16.5 inch mtb, I still had to cut the crap out of it.

The cut down box is obviously on the left. Challenge with this box is that it was 8 inches wide. I would have been much better off with a 7 inch wide box (used the extra inches for the length). Next time I am going to do it. I think this one measured out at 106 inches (limit is 108). Realize if your box measures out at 108, be prepared for an argument at the counter, or in the case of Fed Ex, a back charge later.

+1 To Jim, not sure a touring frame with long stays would make it.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9...acf858eb_b.jpg


I am a charter member of "over-packers" anonymous. White box in the center is to just protect against crushing.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/9...a7511356_b.jpg



bill

It can happen as Lascaux is showing you the result of the below pictured bike being shipped to him from me in a 108 inch box. The box was 8 inches wide. Wheels are tricky, I had to take the axle out of one of them to make it fit in the 8 inch width. The racks and fenders were not shipped.

I've shipped several complete bikes this size in a 108 inch box. It takes me several hours to make everything fit. Which is why I prefer shipping via the 130 inch dimension.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...d/IMG_0589.jpg

Look at the box at the top of this pic. It is a 108 inch box.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...eman/boxed.jpg[/URL]

Great thread, should be required reading for EVERY bike shop. Hell, they wouldn't even have to read it, just show them the pictures. "Dude, like this. OK?"

64's about the cutoff but its all about the box. 130" or less and it's $85 coast to coast.

What were the other dimensions?

I don't remember that one as it was a while back. I shipped one a few weeks back that was 38L X 27H X 8W.

That is some great packing for sure.

Looking at the pic, wheel diameter with tire drives a minimum height, with rounding, 27 inches (rough measurement in the garage was 26 1/2, add for a thickness of cardboard on top and bottom. Thats 54 inches for the height (2X) plus 16 inches for the width (2X), leaving 38 inches max for length. Matches your figures above. 38cm is really tight for me, I'll see how I do on the next one.

The key for me on a frameset is to save on width (7 inches rather than 8 inches). That frees up 2 inches for length. Drop height to 25 inches, that saves another 4 inches. Now I am safely under the limit, on a 56cm frame. The last one to leave (60cm) had a height of 25 1/2 inches, and a width of 8 inches, leaving me 41 inches for length. I really needed to narrow the box down (more cutting). The next one to ship will be a 64cm, so I will be working on that box.

The post office did a nice job checking, strapping the girth of the box and then adding the length. No rounding! Fed Ex on the other hand, ROUNDED UP every dimension, so 7 1/4 width became 8 inches, etc. Any mid box bulges? No problem, they just measured girth there, rounding up of course.


This discussion is great, I have a lot to learn for sure! Keep those measurements and pictures coming.

'Straping' the girth is key to saving up to 3" inches but your right, the FedEx guys like to measure each dimension and round up. The bike Matt sent may have fit in a 103" box but it was disassembled well beyond what's acceptable for an eBay sale.

My local USPS has been double checking all weights and sizes, apparently the 'print label at home' people have been cheating on both.

Absolutely. All bikes I have shipped in this matter have gone to forum members. I also explain to them in order to get it to fit for the cheaper shipping the bike will be dissembled. Ebay sales get the larger box via FedEx ground which the buyer pays for.

What I've done recently is take the frame to Mail Boxes Etc. and let them do it. I can't ship from the APO if it's over 108". Two frames ago I couldn't find a good box and was tired of looking so I went to them told them the size, I picked it up the next day ready to go. $25