Shipping wheels...
 

I've got a set of HED wheels that I'm selling locally and I'd like to expand my sale opportunity, but am concerned about shipping.

I've never shipped wheels before and am curious as to the best way to do it. I know I can hit up my LBS for some boxes, but then do the wheels get shipped separately or do you tape the two boxes together...Or find a box big enough for the two wheels...

I'm trying to find the most efficient and safest method.

Box big enough for both - wrap each wheel in bubble wrap, then wrap some more.

Depends. The key is getting some specific wheel boxes from your lbs. If your lbs can get you a box that accommodates two wheels, it's the best, otherwise, taping two boxes together ismfine too. I've done both and the cost is similar with ups. Shipping wheels is not cheap, and make sure you take that into consideration.

pm me about the wheels. I may be interested and am in Waterdown.

When I got my PSIMET carbon clinchers, he used one box. Each of the 4 corners had a cardboard retainer to prevent the wheels from moving. Being the engineer that he is, I figure he did the packing himself, local newspaper and all.

Give him a email and maybe he'll give you some tips.

Few years ago Peter White shipped me a wheel with a really cool box built just for the purpose. Don't know where you get them but it was just the size of the wheel and nothing more. Thing couldn't move if it wanted to. The box had clipped corners now that I think about it. Those seemed to be the best wheel boxes I've ever seen.

HED wheels get shipped in the ultimate good wheel box (that I've seen). I saved one so that I can send it to a friend who wants to send me wheels.

You need thick cardboard, not the flimsy type. And you can do two wheels in one box. Cut two slots in a flattish inner piece and put the rims in there. One top, one bottom, and the wheels will sit separate. Lemme see if I have a pic.

*edit: no pics on blog but I'll take a pic of the HED box when I get home

Psimet shipped wheels in two separate boxes, each of which had 4 inserts in the corner to hold the wheel in place just right. I just got some Reynolds that shipped in one box though. Had some custom cardboard slots on the top and bottom to hold the wheels apart.

I have shipped wheels a few times. As other have said, get a wheel box from your lbs. Then, shipping them USPS is cheaper than UPS. Part of the cost is that the box is considered oversized.

typically, you would use a wheel box and plastic axle covers.
you might be able to get one from a bike shop when their shipment arrives, since they'll usually chop it up and send it to recycling, due to the space it would occupy.

the other method is just cutting down a full size bike box in half, and using the other half as the inserts and padding, but you'll still need the plastic axle end covers.

The shipping is less if you ship each wheel in a separate box. Putting both wheels in one box, even if packed compactly, will bring the box up to a size that greatly increases your shipping costs. A 26x26x6" box for each wheel works. You can probably get boxes from a local bike shop, but those boxes are usually thin and may be damaged from use.