fietsbob

apply more packing tape attach every thing to the frame (tape/zip ties) so it won't fall out
of any hand hold holes..*

or wear and tear handling holes ..

* you would be wise to add cordage to aide handling, if you tape up all the handling hand holds .







....

Tourist in MSN

If I was a TSA security agent, I would make sure that the contents of any e bike boxes were inspected for possible presence of Lithium Ion batteries.

alan s 

I stopped in REI yesterday and they wanted $35 for a new box, and had no used boxes to give away. The bike shop guy laughed and suggested going to a bike shop to get a free one. I’m starting to dislike REI more and more. This is on the heels of my REI branded tent failing, and no warranty support, although at the time I bought it they were touting their lifetime return policy. REI has become a bit of an overpriced scammer, IMHO.

spinnaker

Why would they even have a new box? New or used. $35 is insane for a box that cost them $2 or 3$.

alan s 

No idea. Went to the Trek store and got a free one today. They seemed more than happy to give one away, saving the hassle of recycling.

spinnaker

Same here. Picked up a second box at Trek. I am planning on doubling up. They were really happy to get rid of the box at my place too. Guess it is one less they need to break down.

Rob_E

$15 for a box seems fair enough if it saves you running around. $35 would make it worthwhile if you were in a bind. Last year I waited too long to figure out our bike-shipping situation. I thought the Bikeflights box would be the easiest option, and maybe it was easiest, but it was not cheap. By the time I figured it out, I didn't have enough time off with access to the car to go bugging the local shops for a box, so I paid it, but if REI has boxes in the store for $35, they're the closest store, and I would have rather paid them than pay for that Bikeflights box, although I will say that Bikeflights included some dropout spacers and bungee cords that were very handy, and box was very roomy. After fitting my S&S bike into its case a number of times, the ease with which I packed and unpacked my wife's bike in the Bikeflights box was very welcome.

My S&S bike is no more, so with my next trip on the horizon, I went to my LBS and asked for a bike box. They said their latest shipment had been unboxed, and all the boxes were broken down in the trash area, and I could help myself. My next trip is one-way, so having something I can ditch at the airport is nice, too. For future trips, I may have to decide if I'm going to get another box/bag, just hope to find a new box at the end of the trip, or get my bike split in half so I can use my S&S case. But if my destination has an REI, and they'll have boxes on hand for $15 or even $35, that'll make the decision easier.

mrveloman

Went to REI (Atlanta store) this week and bought a new box for an upcoming trip. Box is 65x34x11 and made of very thick corrugated cardboard. Cost was $20, last year it was $15. I am sure they would have given me a used box free if I asked but they cut them open and are even larger since their bikes now come almost entirely assembled.

KraneXL

Lies. Used boxes are garbage and they have to pay to have the carted off. Taking the boxes is like taking away their garbage -- it does them the favor. Take your business elsewhere.

spinnaker

Read the OP. They reuse their boxes.

spinnaker

I am still trying to figure out why a store would need a new box.

Ucsbgauchos

You can post your boxes on BoxGiver. People give away their boxes on there all the time. I also think it’s better to reuse them instead of buying new ones

StarBiker

Interesting thread. They wanted $6 just a month ago. I believe they still recycle them as well. But they lock the cardboard dumpster.

I cut boxes up and use them as record mailers. I don't ship bikes. Can always sell local.

I am constantly in my local REI. I will have to ask...........

Cougrrcj

Three years ago, I had repurposed an e-bike box to ship a 25"-frame touring bike across the country... I did cut the length of the box down a bit though...

StarBiker

Yep $15 per box. But used boxes are free. Yeah if was shipping bikes with some frequency I would get them free from the LBS.

staehpj1

$35 sounds pretty crazy, but it is cheaper than the dedicated boxes from Bikefilghts.com that are $119. Those are supposed to be able to be reused multiple times and are designed to pack smaller when empty for storage and cheaper shipping when empty though. Shipbikes.com also has boxes that are expensive. Their Air Caddy is $100. It is a pretty elaborate box with some nice features and robust enough to be used multiple times. It even allows for replacing the outer layer of cardboard, but, yea $100.

Still I have relied on free boxes from local bike shops. The exception was when I used a cheap Transit (Performance and Nashbar house brand) soft case with some cardboard added for protection. I think I paid under $50 for the case.

ThumbsRH

The local shops in SE Michigan were still willing to give away boxes but had none on hand. When I called the local REI I was told they no longer give away boxes but have new ones for sale for $12. I stopped in the store and found the "old guy" mechanic to ask about getting a box. He said he would give me one if they had any on hand--- and the young female employee next to him gave him a look, said something about selling boxes. He walked to the back of the store and came back a few minutes later with the box to sell me. So-- I think it may depend on the day and the person working. The box, by the way, was big: 57" x 34" x 10". UPS wanted a fortune to ship it but BikeFlights.com did it for $160.