How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Bike? – Useful Knowledge You Must Know
Russell Franklin - October 11, 2022Due to their large size and the oversized packaging they need, bikes can cost more to ship than one might anticipate. The cost of shipping one depends on a number of factors, including weight, the size of your box, and the distance it must travel, so it is difficult to estimate exactly how much it will cost you. We can tell you that bikes are pretty costly items to send…but fortunately, there are ways you can save money on your shipping costs. Let’s buckle up and start pedaling now.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Bicycle?
Depending on the quality of the bike shipping services you need and the shipping companies you choose, the cost of shipping bicycles can vary significantly. You can expect to pay between $50 and $250 depending on the distance and method of shipping a bike and how much time and effort you put into packing.
If you need your bike quickly, for instance, plan on spending more on disassembly and boxing services as well as the actual bike shipping box.
Some Special Considerations When Shipping A Bicycle.
- Bike value: When moving a custom, specialty, or expensive bike or when taking part in a race, shipping your bike makes the most sense. Older, less expensive bikes are frequently best sold and replaced in your new hometown if you’re moving.
- Insurance: The minimum amount of insurance required by law will be provided by shipping companies, but this won’t cover the full cost of your bike if it is lost or damaged in transit. It is always advised to get additional bicycle insurance.
- Packing: To keep your bike safe during transportation, make sure it is packed properly. Specialty hard-shelled or soft-shelled bike cases are also available, but these are usually best for shipping racing bikes. A well-packaged, sturdy corrugated cardboard box is adequate for a one-time shipment as part of a move.
- Box size: All bicycles must be boxed before being shipped. Bikes are typically lighter than other cargo, so the size of your package may have a bigger impact on your shipping costs than its weight, especially if your carrier views it as an oversized package. Most bike boxes are around 43″ x 32″ x 11″, which meets domestic size requirements for parcel shippers like Larger boxes are additionally offered, as are UPS and FedEx.
- Weight: Most bikes weigh between 17 and 80 pounds, depending on the style, and are unlikely to incur significant package charges. We’ll use a 25 lb average bike weight for our shipping estimates below, plus a 10 lb buffer for packaging, for a total of 35 lbs.
- Packing: To keep your bike safe during transportation, make sure it is packed properly. Specialty hard-shelled or soft-shelled bike cases are also available, but these are usually best for shipping racing bikes. A well-packaged, sturdy corrugated cardboard box is adequate for a one-time shipment as part of a move.
Bike Shipping Options
The main shipping companies such Of course, there will be a charge to ship your bike via UPS or FedEx. The bike must also be packed properly if you ship directly with one of these carriers. Shipping the bike is only one part of the process.
Moreover, there are several services like Bicycle shipping companies like ShipBikes, BikeFlights, and Sports Express exist. No matter which option you choose, the cost will pretty much be determined by the dimensions of your bike, the distance, and the service.
The benefit of using a service like BikeFlights is that they will guide you through the process step-by-step. They can send you a box that will work well for your bike once you place an order. They have online tools to assist you in disassembling and packing it, and they also have couriers who will come pick up the bike for you.
Due to their volume and expertise in shipping bikes, a service like this also obviously benefits from better rates with shipping carriers. If you, as someone who might ship a bike every few years, call UPS for a quote, you are going to get the “rack rate.”
With a total package weight of about 30 pounds, the estimated shipping cost range for a bike in a box is $75-$400. The range is certainly broad. We’ll then give you a few examples of bicycle shipping costs from New York to San Francisco.
Getting Ready To Ship Your Bike
There are numerous ways to pack your bike for a long journey. However, given how broad the topic is, it is not intended to be the final word on the art of bike packing. Use a box made specifically for bikes and not a generic one when shipping, regardless of the method. A high-quality bike box can be purchased in a number of ways.
- Get one delivered to you by ordering it from a business like BikeFlights. They have shipped many bikes, so they can make sure you get the right box for yours. They offer it as part of their service.
- Get a container; you can buy cardboard bike boxes online from places like Amazon. The price, which includes shipping, is not too bad at about $10.
- You should be able to get one from a local bike shop. The bikes from the bike shops arrived in bike boxes, just like the ones you’ll need to ship your own bike in. If you have strong connections to a local bike shop, there’s a chance you can get your hands on one of these boxes. They frequently keep some on hand for emergency situations.
What Errors Do People Commit When Shipping Bikes?
We surveyed the BikeFlights experts to find out the most frequent mistakes people make. They provided this information to us.
“People failing to pack their bikes properly is the most typical error we observe. ” We’ve taken the time to create a variety of resources for those who want to fill their bikes and guarantee that they arrive in good condition. Any contact between an exposed wheel axle end and an unprotected down tube or seat tube during shipping could result in damage.
It’s common to overlook the need for extra time when shipping your bike. Even if the weather is perfect where you are and where you are going, shipping delays could still happen because of bad weather elsewhere along the route, such as heavy rain, snow, flooding, or hurricanes. Make sure your bike arrives at least one or two days ahead of schedule when shipping it, just in case.
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