Can you ship a bike? Yes, you absolutely can ship a bike! Whether you’re moving to a new city, selling your prized two-wheeler online, or just need to get it to a biking event, there are many ways to safely transport your bicycle. This guide will walk you through every step, from choosing the right shipping service to packing your bike securely. We’ll cover everything you need to know for a smooth bike shipping experience, including finding the best way to ship a bike and considerations for shipping a road bike versus a mountain bike.
Choosing the Right Bicycle Shipping Company
Several companies specialize in moving bikes, offering different levels of service and pricing. Researching bicycle shipping companies is your first crucial step. You want to find a service that fits your budget and offers reliable delivery.
Top Bicycle Shipping Companies
- BikeFlights: Often cited as a top choice for its dedicated bike shipping services. They offer competitive rates and have extensive experience.
- Ship Bikes: Another specialist, focusing solely on bike transportation, providing various options from express to standard shipping.
- FedEx/UPS: Major carriers can handle bike shipping, but you’ll need to ensure proper packing and potentially pay higher rates due to their general freight focus.
- USPS: Generally not recommended for bikes due to size and weight restrictions, and potential for damage.
What to Look for in Bike Shipping Companies Reviews
When you look at bike shipping companies reviews, pay attention to:
- Customer Service: How responsive and helpful are they?
- Damage Claims: What is their track record for handling damaged bikes?
- Transit Times: Do they meet their estimated delivery dates?
- Pricing: Is the bike shipping cost transparent and competitive?
Figuring Out the Bike Shipping Cost
The bike shipping cost can vary significantly based on several factors. It’s wise to get quotes from a few different services before making your decision.
Factors Influencing Bike Shipping Cost
- Distance: Shipping a bike across the country will cost more than shipping it locally.
- Carrier: Specialized bike shippers might offer better rates than general carriers.
- Speed of Service: Expedited shipping will always cost more.
- Insurance: Adding insurance for higher-value bikes will increase the price.
- Packaging: Whether you pack it yourself or use a service, there are associated costs.
Getting Quotes
Most bicycle shipping companies provide online quote tools. You’ll typically need to enter:
- The origin and destination zip codes.
- The dimensions and weight of your packed bike.
- The desired transit time.
Packing a Bicycle for Shipping: The Crucial First Step
Properly packing a bicycle for shipping is paramount to ensuring it arrives safely. This is where you’ll spend the most time, but doing it right will save you a lot of headaches later. The goal is to protect every part of your bike from impacts and jostling during transit.
What You’ll Need to Pack a Bike
- A sturdy bike box: You can often get these from bike shops, or specialized shipping companies might sell them. Ensure it’s large enough for your bike and padding.
- Box cutter or sharp knife: For opening boxes and cutting tape.
- Packing tape: Heavy-duty tape is essential.
- Bubble wrap: For cushioning delicate parts.
- Foam pipe insulation or foam padding: To protect the frame from rubbing and impacts.
- Zip ties or velcro straps: To secure components and cables.
- Allen wrenches (hex keys): For disassembling and reassembling parts of your bike.
- Pedal wrench: To remove pedals.
- Gloves: To keep grease off your hands and your bike clean.
- Marker: To label the box.
Step-by-Step Guide to Boxing a Bike for Transport
Here’s how to prepare your bike for its journey:
1. Clean Your Bike
Before you start disassembling, give your bike a good clean. A clean bike is easier to work with, and it helps you spot any existing damage.
2. Remove Pedals
Pedals can easily get bent or damaged if left on. Use a pedal wrench to remove them. Remember, the left pedal usually unscrews clockwise, while the right pedal unscrews counter-clockwise. It’s a good idea to wrap them in bubble wrap and pack them separately inside the box, or even ship them in a small, padded envelope to avoid losing them.
3. Remove Wheels
Take off both the front and rear wheels. Deflating the tires slightly can provide extra cushioning and reduce the risk of tire blowouts during transit. If you have disc brakes, be extra careful not to touch the rotor surface. You might want to place a piece of cardboard between the brake pads to prevent them from accidentally closing.
- Front Wheel: Usually easy to remove with a quick-release lever or by unscrewing an axle nut.
- Rear Wheel: This is a bit more involved. You’ll need to shift the chain to the smallest cog on the rear cassette. Then, unhook the derailleur if possible, or at least ensure the chain is slack.
4. Lower or Remove Handlebars
Turn the handlebars to face backward, parallel to the frame, or detach them completely. To detach, you’ll need to loosen the bolts on the stem. It’s a good idea to wrap the handlebars and stem in bubble wrap.
5. Turn the Saddle and Seatpost
Lower the seatpost all the way down. You can also turn the saddle to face backward to reduce the overall length of the bike. If the seatpost is particularly high, you might need to remove it entirely.
6. Detach the Derailleurs (Optional but Recommended)
For shipping a mountain bike or a road bike, it’s often best to detach the rear derailleur to protect it. Carefully shift the chain onto the smallest cog. Loosen the derailleur’s cable anchor bolt and then unscrew the derailleur from the frame. Wrap it in bubble wrap and secure it to the frame with zip ties or tape.
7. Protect the Frame and Components
This is where you prevent scratches and dents.
- Wrap the frame tubes with foam pipe insulation or bubble wrap. Pay special attention to areas where components might rub against the frame.
- Wrap the fork, handlebars, cranks, and seatpost individually with bubble wrap.
- Use zip ties or velcro straps to secure cables to the frame, preventing them from dangling and snagging.
- Place extra padding in any gaps within the box.
8. Boxing a Bike for Transport: The Final Assembly
Now it’s time to put everything into the box.
- Lay the bike frame in the box, usually with the rear triangle resting on the bottom.
- Position the wheels on either side of the frame. You can place them in their own wheel bags or wrap them in cardboard and bubble wrap.
- Tuck in all the padded components (handlebars, pedals, derailleur).
- Fill any empty spaces with crumpled paper, extra bubble wrap, or foam to prevent movement. The bike should feel snug inside the box.
- Close the box securely and tape all seams and edges with strong packing tape.
9. Labeling Your Box
Clearly label the box with:
- “Bicycle”
- “Fragile”
- Your name and address (sender).
- The recipient’s name and address.
- Any tracking information provided by the shipping company.
Shipping a Road Bike vs. Shipping a Mountain Bike
While the general packing principles are the same, there are some nuances when shipping a road bike versus shipping a mountain bike.
Shipping a Road Bike
- Tire Clearance: Road bikes typically have thinner tires, which can make it easier to fit into a standard bike box.
- Handlebar Width: Drop handlebars can be delicate. Ensure they are well-padded and turned to minimize protrusion.
- Aerodynamics: Components like aero bars or integrated cockpits require extra care in packing.
Shipping a Mountain Bike
- Suspension: Front and rear suspension on mountain bikes can be compressed or secured to prevent damage. You might consider deflating air suspension slightly.
- Tires: Wider mountain bike tires might require a larger box or more careful packing to fit.
- Handlebar Width: Wider handlebars can sometimes be an issue for fitting into a standard box. You may need to remove them entirely or rotate them significantly.
- Components: Mountain bikes often have more exposed components like shifters, brake levers, and derailleurs, which need thorough padding.
Shipping Bicycle Overseas
Shipping bicycle overseas adds another layer of complexity and cost, but it’s certainly doable. You’ll need to consider international shipping regulations, customs, and potentially longer transit times.
Considerations for International Bike Shipping
- Customs Declarations: You’ll need to accurately declare the contents and value of your shipment. Some countries may have import duties or taxes on bicycles.
- Documentation: Ensure you have all necessary paperwork, including invoices and any required permits.
- Carrier Choice: International shipping often involves air freight or sea freight. Specialized international movers or services like BikeFlights often have partnerships for overseas transport.
- Insurance: Given the longer transit and multiple handling points, robust insurance is highly recommended.
- Packaging: For international shipping, consider a more robust, double-walled cardboard box or even a dedicated bike travel case for maximum protection.
Assembling Your Bike at the Destination
Once your bike arrives, you’ll need to reassemble it. Most shipping services will provide instructions, or you can find plenty of videos online demonstrating the process.
Reassembly Checklist
- Unpack Carefully: Remove all padding and components.
- Inspect for Damage: Before reassembling, check for any signs of damage that may have occurred during transit.
- Reattach Pedals: Screw them back into the crank arms. Remember the correct direction for each pedal.
- Install Wheels: Place the wheels back into the dropouts and secure them.
- Reattach Handlebars: If you removed them, reattach them to the stem.
- Reinstall Seatpost: Insert the seatpost back into the frame and adjust to your preferred height.
- Reconnect Derailleurs and Cables: If you removed your derailleur, reattach it and reconnect the shifting cables.
- Inflate Tires: Pump your tires up to the recommended pressure.
- Brake and Gear Check: Test your brakes and gears to ensure they are functioning correctly. You may need to make adjustments.
- Final Tune-up: Consider taking your bike to a local bike shop for a quick tune-up if you’re unsure about your reassembly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping a Bike
Here are some common questions people have when shipping their bikes:
Q1: What is the best way to ship a bike?
The best way to ship a bike is to use a specialized bicycle shipping company that has experience with cycling equipment. They offer dedicated services and often have better handling procedures. Proper packing a bicycle for shipping is crucial regardless of the company you choose.
Q2: Can I ship my bike without a box?
No, it is highly recommended and often required by shipping companies to package a bike in a sturdy, appropriately sized box. Shipping without a box leaves your bike extremely vulnerable to damage.
Q3: Do I need to insure my bike when shipping?
Yes, it is strongly recommended to insure your bike, especially if it is valuable or you are shipping a road bike or a high-end shipping a mountain bike. Check the insurance policies of the bicycle shipping companies you are considering.
Q4: How much does it cost to ship a bike?
The bike shipping cost can range from $100 to $300 or more, depending on the distance, carrier, and services chosen. Obtaining quotes from multiple bicycle shipping companies reviews can help you find the best price.
Q5: What are the dimensions of a bike box?
A typical bike box measures around 54″ x 8″ x 32″ (length x width x height). However, dimensions can vary slightly depending on the size of the bike being packed. Ensure the box is large enough to comfortably fit your bike with padding.
Q6: Do I have to disassemble my bike completely?
You generally need to remove the pedals, handlebars (or at least turn them parallel to the frame), and wheels. Detaching the rear derailleur is also a good idea. Full disassembly is usually not necessary, but proper preparation is key to boxing a bike for transport.
Q7: What if my bike gets damaged in transit?
If your bike is damaged, contact the shipping company immediately. You will need to file a damage claim, usually within a specified timeframe. Having photos of the bike before packing and of the damaged box and bike upon arrival is crucial for a successful claim.
Q8: Is shipping a bike overseas more expensive?
Yes, shipping a bike overseas is typically more expensive than domestic shipping due to longer distances, customs, and different transportation methods (air or sea freight).
Q9: Can I use a bike travel case instead of a box?
Yes, a hard-shell bike travel case offers superior protection and is often preferred for international travel or for particularly valuable bikes. However, they are generally more expensive and bulkier than standard bike boxes.
By following these steps and taking the necessary precautions, you can ensure your bicycle arrives at its destination safely and ready for your next adventure. Happy shipping!