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shipping an electric bike across the country

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Old 07-17-23, 12:02 PM
  #1  
adlai
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shipping an electric bike across the country

A family member is moving to the opposite coast. He won't be taking the car and will be living carless with just a bicycle. We are thinking of him taking one of my bicycles. The best bicycle for his situation would be an electric bicycle that I already own.

I looked on bikeflights and it was $167. Another problem is the battery because I believe many shipping companies hate transporting the large battery.

Is there a better way? I'd really like to keep it at or around $100. Any much more and it makes sense for him to just buy an electric bike once on the ground.
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Old 07-17-23, 12:29 PM
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With a 50 lb e-bike the battery is probably only 8 lbs and not a factor. More important is isolating the battery from the bike and wrapping it for safe transport. Smarter to have the family member take the bike as checked excess baggage on the plane, train, or bus.
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Old 07-17-23, 01:16 PM
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Juan Foote
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Is this individual already shipping their belongings? Perhaps the bike can stow with his stuff?

If there is no 'stuff' maybe they can make the move into a bike trip across the country?
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Old 07-17-23, 01:32 PM
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Not sure how $167 in shipping = makes more sense to spend 5-10 times that on another ebike...?
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Old 07-17-23, 02:33 PM
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Merged duplicate threads.
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Old 07-17-23, 02:42 PM
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Lithium batteries have shipping restrictions due to fire risk

here is what bike flight has to say https://www.bikeflights.com/e-bike-shipping

I seriously doubt there is anything cheaper than bikeflights
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Old 07-17-23, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Calsun
With a 50 lb e-bike the battery is probably only 8 lbs and not a factor. More important is isolating the battery from the bike and wrapping it for safe transport. Smarter to have the family member take the bike as checked excess baggage on the plane, train, or bus.
My understanding is that you can't fly with an ebike. I'm guessing ground shipping with bikeflights is going to be the OP's best bet.
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Old 07-17-23, 04:32 PM
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Try pirateship.com https://www.pirateship.com/rates

Many Rivendell riders use it(another forum) and most Riv bikes are tanks.
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Old 07-19-23, 02:23 PM
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Recommend Bike Flights

Yes, BF is more expensive.
Batteries can be dangerous items. Best not to 'sneak' it through.
You can ship the battery on the bike via BF. You just have to let them know.
Do the right thing
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Old 07-19-23, 10:39 PM
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Seems like $167 is pretty darn reasonable, especially if you already think $100 is good. Declare the battery, follow the rules and don't waste time trying to save $67 on a valuable bike that will be even more valuable in use by the guy it's going to.
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Old 07-20-23, 08:06 AM
  #11  
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The last bike I bought new was $200 to ship I think.

When moving, I called a local shop to see what they could do. It was basically 50-60 to pack plus the price of bike flights. It came out to over $200. So onto the uhaul they went.

This is for sub 30 lbs, including the box.

You aren’t going to beat 167.
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