Shipping Bike
#2
Francophile
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Seattle and Reims
Posts: 3,576
Bikes: Peugeot: AO-8 1973, PA-10 1971, PR-10 1973, Sante 1988; Masi Gran Criterium 1975, Stevenson Tourer 1980, Stevenson Criterium 1981, Schwinn Paramount 1972, Rodriguez 2006, Gitane Federal ~1975, Holdsworth Pro, Follis 172 ~1973, Bianchi '62
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333 Posts
I use Bike Flights. Not cheap but they do a good job.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
#3
Senior Member
Bike Fights is just books the shipment and gets the best rate but still uses FEDEX or UPS. You or a LBS still would need to pack the bike and would be in charge of obtaining the box and proper packing materials. Contrary to belief most LBS are not just giving away old cardboard bike boxes and most by me want at least $100+ just for the box and to pack the bike. You still would need to schedule a pickup time table with bike flights. While IMO Bike Flights is pretty easy to deal with you just want to make sure you are packing the bike in the way that BF's approves otherwise it will void your warranty coverage, see section 7
https://www.bikeflights.com/shippingpolicy
https://www.bikeflights.com/shippingpolicy
#4
Senior Member
I have also used Bike Flights and was quite pleased.
#5
I used once a year between 2014 and 2017. I haven’t used them since 2019. Just haven’t had the need. By then, they had switched from FedEx to UPS. Service became slower and noticeably more expensive. Customer service also became worse over the years as they grew in popularity. For example, in 2019 their online purchase system wouldn’t accept the zip code for the REI store I had shipped the bike to about a week earlier when I was trying to purchase return shipping at a public library. It was the only place where I knew I would have sure Internet access. I had to call someone on the phone to resolve the problem.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,835
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
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464 Posts
After a damaged shipment and the insurance payment from Bikeflights (it's one word) I will always use them. Local framebuilder used a Bringheli frame table to straighten the frame and buyer said he actually came out ahead.
#7
my nice bike is at home
If you can disassemble and safely pack your own bike you will save money. Bike boxes are around, you just ave to look for them, they can be free I have always found one or two when it's time to ship. It's good to start with two boxes then reduce the size of your bike as much as possible and double box it. I go one step further with the box: I don't just tape all the flaps, i glue them make sure they are totally glued-solid, then I pack and tape up the box. Takes 1/2 a day...but it's my bike, I like my bike...
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BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik' / Santana Tandem: Full Campy!
BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik' / Santana Tandem: Full Campy!