Bike shipping what is the best option in April 2023
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,929
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
Liked 4,864 Times
in
2,274 Posts
Bike shipping what is the best option in April 2023
I know there are many threads with this info - I have read some of them in the past, I can't seem to find a current one. I need to ship a bike from upstate NY to LA, CA. Anyone have the info on best option currently?
Likes For SoCaled:
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,929
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
Liked 4,864 Times
in
2,274 Posts
At bikeflights if I enter the the "large box" size of 63"x13"x33" & 45lbs, I get a UPS ground ship price of $188.95 - This seems like the number I have seen people here toss around recently?
If I enter the same info into Fedex.com I get $526.79?
I called the local Trek store (which wiped out our locals) they tell me $80 to break down & pack and $40 to ship - Fedex? (supposedly with the same specs above) How can that be?
any other suggestions would be great
I just read a great thread on BF on shipping, but can not find it again
If I enter the same info into Fedex.com I get $526.79?
I called the local Trek store (which wiped out our locals) they tell me $80 to break down & pack and $40 to ship - Fedex? (supposedly with the same specs above) How can that be?
any other suggestions would be great
I just read a great thread on BF on shipping, but can not find it again
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,503
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,818 Times
in
3,896 Posts
Frames only.
I just had one shipped AZ to PDX, $59 through efbay
Also one from NJ, $125
And awhile back from CO, $159
Complete bike from NOLA, $200
Likes For merziac:
#4
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 407
Bikes: '71 Raleigh Inter, '98 Tommasini, '83 Trek 500, 83 Trek 720 '
Liked 227 Times
in
122 Posts
If you are flying, you might consider United they have a very bike friendly policy, because we just shopped all the airlines ready for Eroica Cali later this year, Southwest and Jet Blue had a very small box size limit i think it was 803 inches which is a kiddies box size, whereas United will ship a bicycle as normal luggage for their standard price of $35.00 even if its oversize dimensions , we are bringing two bikes so that's a good deal for u. We did United last year and that's what they did, the counter person seemed a little confused as to why it was so cheap when she put it in the system, but the supervisor said "no that's correct" and even tried to save us more money by shipping them as first piece instead of subsequent pieces of luggage, this was in cardboard boxes from the LBS, that were 108 inches overall size.
They do require as do all airline you remove pedals and pack safely and you have to sign a damage waiver as its in cardboard not a hard case.
They do require as do all airline you remove pedals and pack safely and you have to sign a damage waiver as its in cardboard not a hard case.
Likes For Gary12000:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,503
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,818 Times
in
3,896 Posts
$543 in shipping for 3 frames and one complete in the last year.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,503
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,818 Times
in
3,896 Posts
At bikeflights if I enter the the "large box" size of 63"x13"x33" & 45lbs, I get a UPS ground ship price of $188.95 - This seems like the number I have seen people here toss around recently?
If I enter the same info into Fedex.com I get $526.79?
I called the local Trek store (which wiped out our locals) they tell me $80 to break down & pack and $40 to ship - Fedex? (supposedly with the same specs above) How can that be?
any other suggestions would be great
I just read a great thread on BF on shipping, but can not find it again
If I enter the same info into Fedex.com I get $526.79?
I called the local Trek store (which wiped out our locals) they tell me $80 to break down & pack and $40 to ship - Fedex? (supposedly with the same specs above) How can that be?
any other suggestions would be great
I just read a great thread on BF on shipping, but can not find it again
Likes For merziac:
#7
I recently shipped a bike from Ca. to Mi. The box I had was 57x32x8 and I figured the weight at 35lbs. Bikeflights wanted $190. I measured things and when I cut the box down to 46x32x9 it was $90. The box got fatter because the tires so I used 9" width. If I changed the width from 9 to 10" the price went back to $190. Moral of the story. Messing with the box dimensions is what it is all about.
Likes For 356geoff:
#8
Full Member
For a recent bicycle frame shipment, Pirateship was slightly less expensive than BikeFlights.
The overall dimensions of the box make a BIG difference in the pricing: there is a surcharge
beyond a certain size.
The overall dimensions of the box make a BIG difference in the pricing: there is a surcharge
beyond a certain size.
Likes For cyclophilia:
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,929
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
Liked 4,864 Times
in
2,274 Posts
#10
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,734
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Liked 6,993 Times
in
3,447 Posts
I believe Greyhound will still ship your bike for you, station to station*, on the cheap. And if you don't have a box, some stations can even sell you one of those for like $10.
* Speaking of...
* Speaking of...
Likes For SurferRosa:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,503
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,818 Times
in
3,896 Posts
Likes For merziac:
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,929
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
Liked 4,864 Times
in
2,274 Posts
Finally one asks "Can I help you with something?" sounding slightly annoyed.
I said, "I called earlier about bike packing and shipping"
he replies "Yeah, I overheard that conversation and tried to get his attention but he wouldn't listen . . .we don't ship bikes"
I replied, "That's strange as the person I spoke to had quoted the shipping price, with dimensions and weight."
the employee replies, "Yeah he didn't know what he is talking about, we don't ship" "But you can talk to him he is right there" and points
I reply, "If you know better, I don't need to waste any more time"
the employee replies, "Well, he is the manager"
Manager is now walking over to us and says, "Uh sorry bro . . . I totally blew that one, I checked on our SOP and we don't ship"
I knew I didn't want to do business with a corporate death burger, but didn't know it was this bad.
#13
Senior Member
I haven't shipped a bike in over a year but last time I did I used shipbikes.com. They use Fedex ground which is usually cheaper than UPS for me.
__________________
80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
#14
Senior Member
Unfortunately, ship.bikes isn't any longer in the bike shipping business. They will sell you a bike box, however. BikeFlights was cheaper when it used FedEx, but now ships through UPS, as does PirateShip. I've mostly used the latter.
#15
Monkey Boy
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Herndon, VA
Posts: 247
Bikes: '22 Surly Straggler, '15 Breezer Downtown EX, '19 Motobecane Record (fixie)
Liked 90 Times
in
54 Posts
FWIW...
I recently shipped a bike from Virginia to Nevada for ~$78. The best rate that I got was from UPS, but I got it by using PayPal's ShipStation. For whatever reason, they give me excellent rates, and it's now the only way I ship. I log into PayPal, then go to ShipStation and get my quote there. I then just dropped it off to my local UPS store. Fortunately for me, I already had a workable box, but it worked out cheaper and better than I expected.
peace
I recently shipped a bike from Virginia to Nevada for ~$78. The best rate that I got was from UPS, but I got it by using PayPal's ShipStation. For whatever reason, they give me excellent rates, and it's now the only way I ship. I log into PayPal, then go to ShipStation and get my quote there. I then just dropped it off to my local UPS store. Fortunately for me, I already had a workable box, but it worked out cheaper and better than I expected.
peace
__________________
Artist | Musician | Bass Player
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. (o.o)
Artist | Musician | Bass Player
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. (o.o)
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,974
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
Liked 3,057 Times
in
1,390 Posts
I believe Greyhound will still ship your bike for you, station to station*, on the cheap. And if you don't have a box, some stations can even sell you one of those for like $10.
* Speaking of...
https://youtu.be/2WoYXkNRJp8
* Speaking of...
https://youtu.be/2WoYXkNRJp8
Likes For curbtender:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,503
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,818 Times
in
3,896 Posts
So, I ride my bike down to the Trek store, tell them I had called earlier about bike packing/shipping, they direct me to the service area. Five employees there, all ignore me.
Finally one asks "Can I help you with something?" sounding slightly annoyed.
I said, "I called earlier about bike packing and shipping"
he replies "Yeah, I overheard that conversation and tried to get his attention but he wouldn't listen . . .we don't ship bikes"
I replied, "That's strange as the person I spoke to had quoted the shipping price, with dimensions and weight."
the employee replies, "Yeah he didn't know what he is talking about, we don't ship" "But you can talk to him he is right there" and points
I reply, "If you know better, I don't need to waste any more time"
the employee replies, "Well, he is the manager"
Manager is now walking over to us and says, "Uh sorry bro . . . I totally blew that one, I checked on our SOP and we don't ship"
I knew I didn't want to do business with a corporate death burger, but didn't know it was this bad.
Finally one asks "Can I help you with something?" sounding slightly annoyed.
I said, "I called earlier about bike packing and shipping"
he replies "Yeah, I overheard that conversation and tried to get his attention but he wouldn't listen . . .we don't ship bikes"
I replied, "That's strange as the person I spoke to had quoted the shipping price, with dimensions and weight."
the employee replies, "Yeah he didn't know what he is talking about, we don't ship" "But you can talk to him he is right there" and points
I reply, "If you know better, I don't need to waste any more time"
the employee replies, "Well, he is the manager"
Manager is now walking over to us and says, "Uh sorry bro . . . I totally blew that one, I checked on our SOP and we don't ship"
I knew I didn't want to do business with a corporate death burger, but didn't know it was this bad.
Trek has a travel division and I would bet they pack and ship for that so.....
I would raise cane with corporate just for fun.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Berwyn PA
Posts: 6,478
Bikes: I hate bikes!
Liked 854 Times
in
274 Posts
I shipped a couple of larger, complete bikes using bikeflights in the recent past. I broke the bikes all the way down and zipped tied the wheels to the frame to make the package as small as possible. Cost was $104 from Philadelphia to Portland. It was a complete,1971 International, 25" frame in December of 2022.
It pretty much put me off shipping complete bikes anymore. Between the cost, which shrinks your pool of potential buyers, to the geometric puzzle of getting all this stuff in the smallest box possible and delivered safely, it became unfun.
It pretty much put me off shipping complete bikes anymore. Between the cost, which shrinks your pool of potential buyers, to the geometric puzzle of getting all this stuff in the smallest box possible and delivered safely, it became unfun.
Last edited by fender1; 04-28-23 at 01:00 PM.
#19
Senior Member
Just got a quote from Pirate Ship. UPS. Chicago to Buffalo. Box is 52x31x8. Insured at $500. $56.
Likes For iab:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,503
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,818 Times
in
3,896 Posts
I shipped a could of larger, complete bikes using bikeflights in the recent past. I broke the bikes all the way down and zipped tied the wheels to the frame to make the package as small as possible. I was $104 from Philadelphia to Portland. It was a complete 1971 International, 25" frame in December of 2022. It pretty much put me off shipping complete bikes anymore. Between the cost, which shrinks your pool of potential buyers, to the geometric puzzle of getting all this stuff in the smallest box possible and delivered safely it became unfun.
Insurance is imperative and a bargain albeit a huge hassle in the end.
Likes For merziac:
#21
Senior Member
I've taken to standing outside the airport with a bike packed up, trying to find a passenger who'll transport it as checked luggage for $30. Getting it to the specific destination/buyer is the part I haven't yet figured out.
Likes For nlerner:
#22
Senior Member
Shipping now reads like purchasing an airline ticket.
this is the new world order
having a Shipping company commercial account seems to be the way to obtain predictable rates. I use one of two business neighbors at work. It has been a while, nothing shipped this year.
this is the new world order
having a Shipping company commercial account seems to be the way to obtain predictable rates. I use one of two business neighbors at work. It has been a while, nothing shipped this year.
Likes For repechage:
#23
Full Member
FWIW...
I recently shipped a bike from Virginia to Nevada for ~$78. The best rate that I got was from UPS, but I got it by using PayPal's ShipStation. For whatever reason, they give me excellent rates, and it's now the only way I ship. I log into PayPal, then go to ShipStation and get my quote there. I then just dropped it off to my local UPS store. Fortunately for me, I already had a workable box, but it worked out cheaper and better than I expected.
peace
I recently shipped a bike from Virginia to Nevada for ~$78. The best rate that I got was from UPS, but I got it by using PayPal's ShipStation. For whatever reason, they give me excellent rates, and it's now the only way I ship. I log into PayPal, then go to ShipStation and get my quote there. I then just dropped it off to my local UPS store. Fortunately for me, I already had a workable box, but it worked out cheaper and better than I expected.
peace
#24
Last edited by jiangshi; 04-28-23 at 04:44 PM.
Likes For jiangshi:
#25
Member
I shipped a couple of larger, complete bikes using bikeflights in the recent past. I broke the bikes all the way down and zipped tied the wheels to the frame to make the package as small as possible. Cost was $104 from Philadelphia to Portland. It was a complete,1971 International, 25" frame in December of 2022.
It pretty much put me off shipping complete bikes anymore. Between the cost, which shrinks your pool of potential buyers, to the geometric puzzle of getting all this stuff in the smallest box possible and delivered safely, it became unfun.
It pretty much put me off shipping complete bikes anymore. Between the cost, which shrinks your pool of potential buyers, to the geometric puzzle of getting all this stuff in the smallest box possible and delivered safely, it became unfun.
Likes For daywood: