How to ship bike and extra wheels?
 

I'm selling a bike with a spare set of wheels to someone, and I need to ship it. It's been a while since I've had to do that. as I recall, the cheapest option is fedex ground. I'm not sure if that's still the case.

Also, I'm wondering what is the best way to package the bike and wheels.
Should I get a bike box and a wheel box and tape them together?
should I get a smaller bike box and just put the frame/fork, and somehow squeeze the handlebars in there, and then get two wheel boxes and stack those together?

I feel like the latter option might be better, because they charge based upon L+H+W, and the closer the package being shipped is to a perfect cube, the more cost effective it is.

anyone who's done this have any input?

Try bikeflights.com.

They have good instructions on packing and do quotes on their website.

I've used them a couple of times. They use FedEx on the back end and you will drop your stuff off at a local FedEx office or have them come pick it up.


-Tim-

oh i forgot about those guys! thanks. it looks like they changed their website to be a little more user friendly. good tip!

i found a specialized bike box, where i think the bike came in such a way that the rear wheel was still attached. I think I might be able to just squeeze the extra wheels in there.. we shall see tomorrow

+1 for bikeflights.com. You can get a box from your LBS, they usually throw them away anyways. I used a large box, which fits bike+wheels, take handlebars and pedals off.

Wheels have the greatest chance to damage stuff.

Unless you found a very fat box, I'd pack the wheels in a separate box, especially if it is a valuable or very nice bike.

If rear wheel not on bike, protect rear derailleur.

Perhaps Amtrak? Since the cost of a bike is one price, add the wheels and it is surely into the oversize pricing bracket for UPS/bikflights

Per their website :Regular bicycles and unicycles may be shipped on Amtrak Express. Bikes must be securely packed in a box; you may bring your own box or purchase one at the station (call ahead for details and to make sure that boxes are available). Bicycles are generally exempt from Amtrak Express size requirements.

I believe the Amtrak boxes cost $10 and all you need to do is turn the bars and remove the pedals. Since the boxes are huge you should be able to add a spare set of wheels.

Downside is you have to get to Amtrak station and buyer has to get it there.

I managed to pack the bike with rear wheel on, and stuff the extra set of wheels in the same box.

$48 with bikeflight, after a $4 donation to charity. very cool

If you trust your packing and box making capabilities, then when looking for cheapest, you have to go to the shipping calculators for every shipper and see what it cost to ship that size package and weight.

When I was shipping a bike several years ago Fed Ex came out to be the cheapest. I played with the dimensions of the package and found significant savings by shortening the length of my box. Which was easy to do since I made my own box.

When packing your bike though, don't think that putting words like "fragile" or "this end up" mean anything to the people handling it. I pack expecting someone to throw it across the room.