5 Cool Tips on Inexpensive Bike Shipping
Knowhow of how to pack a bicycle on a budget can be invaluable if you are planning to sell a bike online. For a reasonably priced bicycle, it makes no sense to spend money on expert packing. Another way to save money on your bicycle shipping is by dismantling the bike to a certain degree and moving it in a container of slightly smaller dimensions.
When you are shipping your bicycle on a budget, this can be most easily achieved by first visiting a local bike shop and finding their empty boxes which were used to house the bikes that they now sell. Usually the bike shop owners will be willing to either give you their boxes ofr free, or will sell them to you at a very competitive rate.
First, you will want to measure the dimensional mass of your container when it is fully loaded, which should ideally be no more than 35lbs. This will help you to keep the costs to a minimum when actually shipping.
In case you do need to reduce the size of the box just you can try the following tip: Take the open end of the container and then cut two or three 1-inch slits in all four corners, between each of the flaps. Next, you can fold the flaps that were created by the slits in an inward direction (on the inside of the box) and measure the new lengths. The depth and length of the box will always remain identical but the height will now be minimized. Check if the box now falls within the required size limits which will free you from the additional charge.
If the box is still bigger than your required size try trimming the height further in a similar manner. Just to be certain that the bike fits into its box comfortably, try a number different fittings by removing one or both of the wheels, the seat assembly and perhaps the handlebar too. However, if you do pursue the cardboard disassembly approach, as described above, double box it for necessary protection. Use an web based shipping calculator to ascertain your box-dimensions before to going to the drop off point to make sure you have cheap bike shipping.
There are a plethora of bicycle shipping and packing options. Travellers who usually travel with their bicycles find it better to invest some money in a bike travelling case.
Here area a few important check points for cheap bike hauling: It is prudent to always insure your shipped bike against potential damages; you should get automatic coverage of around $100 with most of the carriers you'll find. However more high-cost bikes will need additional coverage while shipping.
Rare, expensive, uncommon, or collectible bicycles must always be packed competently by experts, as budgeting on that could actually be a bad call.
Cheap bike shipping options come in many shapes and sizes online, be particularly careful of internet sellers who try to rip you off by cramming their vehicles to reduce shipping costs. Be sure to include all of your contact information and your shipping destination on the container as well as inside the box.
When flying, in case you plan to include your bike as your checked luggage, don't forget the ticket or any alternative ticket identifier. Bikes that are part of checked in luggage can, on occasion be lost on connecting flights because of their size and delicateness; plan a backup in case you reach your destination without your bike.
It's always a good idea to hunt around to locate the right option for a cheap bike transportation company as getting to locate a cheap bike shipping company is becoming tougher.
Keeping Your Bicycle Chain in Good Shape
Bicycling on Your Next Vacation