Bicycles are a great way to get around, but you may be wondering how much does it cost to ship a bike. The cost of shipping a bike depends on the size and weight of the bike and the distance it is being shipped.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Bike?
Bicycle shipping costs vary widely depending on the level of the bike shipping services you require and the shipping companies you select. 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 (longer distance, faster shipping, professionally packed).
For example, expect to pay more for disassembly and boxing services and the bike shipping box itself if you need your bike in a hurry.
Shipping Methods For Bicycles
Of course, UPS and FedEx will ship your bike, but you’ll have to pay for the privilege. Aside from sending your own bike, you’ll also need to figure out how to pack it if shipping directly with one of these carriers.
Many companies, including ShipBikes, BikeFlights, and Sports Express, specialize in shipping bikes. Regardless of which option you choose, the shipping cost will be primarily determined by the size of your bike, the distance traveled, and the bike shipping service.
Using a bicycle shipping service such as BikeFlights is recommended to make the process easier. After placing an order, they will send you a box tailored to your bike’s dimensions. To help you dismantle and pack your bike, they have online resources and couriers who will come and ride it up to your door.
Another obvious benefit of a service like this is that they get better rates from shipping carriers because of their volume and expertise in shipping bicycles. UPS will give you the “rack rate” if you call for a quote from someone who ships a bike every few years.
Bikes that weigh 30 pounds or less can expect to pay between $50 and $400 for shipping. That does indeed cover a wide range. If you want to ship a bicycle from New York to San Francisco, here are some price examples.
The most critical factor in determining the cost of shipping your motorcycle is its transit time. You’ll save the most money if you’re happy with 4-day shipping.
As an illustration, let’s use the flight from New York to San Francisco:
Bike transport via shipping companies is a common practice (NY to SF)
- FedEx: Depending on how quickly you need to ship, you’ll pay anywhere from $60 to $160. Additional insurance can be purchased for an additional fee.
- If you use UPS, you’ll have to pay about $135. Bike insurance is not included in exact prices, but it can be purchased separately.
Shipping a bicycle using a bike transport company (NY to SF)
- With BikeFlights, a bike can be sent for as little as $60, including disassembly and packaging. You can find out more about our preferred customer experience here.
- With ShipBikes, a bike can be shipped for as little as $65, not including disassembly and packaging.
- Sport Express: disassembly and box start at $174 for bike shipping.
Checking a bicycle as checked baggage on an airplane (if you are flying) NYC to SF
A COVID and post-COVID environment change the game’s rules for different airlines. A typical fee is between $35 and $55 — that is, in addition to the cost of your plane ticket.
When shipping your bicycle, consider paying a little extra to ensure bike arrives in good condition. There is a wide range of insurance and protection plans available from every service so that you can rest assured. You won’t have to worry about the bike getting stolen or damaged if you do it this way.
Getting Ready To Ship Your Bike
Packing your bike for a long trip can be done in various ways. That said, it is not meant to be the definitive guide to the art of bike packing since the subject is so large. Regardless of how you ship, make sure you use a box made specifically for bikes and not a generic one. It is possible to acquire a high-quality bike box in various ways.
- Order one from a company like BikeFlights and have it delivered to you. Having shipped many bikes, they can ensure that you get the correct box for yours. Their service includes it.
- Purchase a container. cardboard bike boxes are available for purchase online, for example, from Amazon. In terms of cost, it’s not too bad at around $10, including the shipping.
- A bike shop in your area should be able to provide you with one. The bike shops’ bikes came in bike boxes, just like what you’ll need to ship your bike in. There is a chance that you can obtain one of these boxes if you have strong ties to an area bike shop. It’s not uncommon for them to have some on hand in an emergency.
Taking apart the bike is the next step in the process. It doesn’t matter if you’re shipping a road bike, a triathlon bike, a gravel bike, or a mountain bike; the disassembly process is the same. Only enough disassembly is required for it to fit snugly in the box; the rest can be left in place.
Remove the front end, remove the seat, and secure any parts that may move while in transit to ensure the safety of your vehicle. Once again, this is not a how-to guide on disassembling a bike. Here are a few quick tips:
- Pack your bike tools and other protective materials like foam and zip ties in your toolbox.
- Take off the steering wheel and handlebars
- Remove the front wheel.
- Toss out the peds
- Your bike should be wrapped to prevent any friction between the metal and the carbon in the box.
- Zip ties can secure moving parts, such as the rear wheel or the crankshaft.
- As you pack the box, take special care to avoid scratching or injuring any items inside.
When you move the box, listen for any metal-on-metal noises. If you hear any, check to see what might be rubbing. There should be no rubbing or movement of the bike inside the box, and it should be wholly cushioned.
You can certainly do it yourself if you’ve got the right tools and know your way around a bike. A bike shop can also perform this service for you.
The local bike shop agreed to disassemble and professionally pack a bike in a used bike box for $50 after we made a quick phone call. The bike is then transported to its final destination via BikeFlights, at your expense, thanks to a contract they have with that company.
How Long Does Bike Shipping Take?
Most shipping firms estimate three business days, but it could take up to five. BikeFlights guarantees that your bike will arrive on time or they will refund you $500.
If you need your bike for a weekend race, schedule its arrival for the middle of the week. Even if there is a delay, you will still receive it on time.
According to BikeFlights, shipping a bike by ground from New York City to Boulder, Colorado will cost $75 and take 6 days if you do not pay extra for insurance. You can upgrade to three-day air, but it will cost you approximately $390.
BikeFlights will transport your bike from Denver, Colorado, to San Francisco in two to three days for about $65.
From Austin, Texas, to Emporia, Kansas? BikeFlights will transport your bike in two days for around $60.
The Other End: Receiving The Bike After Shipping
There are a few options for how you want to get your bike. You should not skimp on shipping your bike if you plan to use it in a special event, such as a destination race, to be ready for you when you get there. Why not hire a pro to assemble your bike before shipping it to an A-Race?
To ship a bike you’ve sold on eBay or another online auction site, you can do so. It’s entirely up to them how it’s put together.
Some people, such as snowbirds or those staying at their destination for several days or weeks, may prefer to have bike shipped to their condo or second home. If this is what you intend to do, make sure you have all the tools you need to reassemble the device when you arrive.
If you marked essential spots on your bike as you disassembled it, putting it back together will be much easier and more precise. Using a marker or tape, for example, you can mark how far your seat post should be inserted into your seat frame to get the exact fit as before assembly.
What Bike Shipping Mistakes Do People Make?
To help you avoid the most common blunders, we polled the experts at BikeFlights. They gave us this information.
“The most common mistake we see is people failing to pack their bikes properly. ” For those who want to fill their bikes and ensure that they arrive in one piece, we’ve taken the time to create a variety of resources. An unpadded or under-padded down tube or seat tube could be damaged by an unprotected wheel axle end during shipping if they come into contact.
When shipping your bike, it’s common to forget to allow enough time. Even if the weather is perfect where you live and where you’re going, delays in shipping may occur due to heavy rain, snow, flooding, or hurricanes in other parts of the route. When shipping your bike, make sure it arrives at least a day or two ahead of schedule, just in case.
FAQs
How can I ship my bike for the least amount of money?
To save money on shipping your bike, you should use the United States Postal Service (USPS) instead of a private shipping company. You should double-check that your shipping label is correct before you send it, and if you want to be alerted when the package arrives, you should do so.
Can you tell me how much it costs to ship a bike via USPS?
How much does it cost to ship a bicycle through the United States Postal Service? Depending on the distance, sending a bike via USPS costs between $144.90-$210. Shorter distances may result in lower shipping costs.
Is it possible to ship a bicycle through UPS?
Allow The UPS Store to transport your sporting goods to the game, the mountain, the beach, or the field of your preference. Don’t forget to pack your sports equipment ahead of time so that it’s waiting for you when you arrive.
Is UPS or USPS the more affordable option?
On the whole, it’s cheaper to send large packages via UPS rather than using USPS. USPS Parcel Select is slightly less expensive than UPS Ground if your parcel weighs less than 66 pounds, but the delivery time is longer.
How do I ship my peloton bike?
Remove or wrap and secure the power cords to the bike frame if necessary. Make sure to remove any extra parts (such as a cup holder) from the vehicle, bike bag, wrap, and ship them in a labeled box. The remainder of the exercise bike’s frame can be shipped in its current state.
Can FedEx be used to ship my bike?
To ship bicycles, the maximum weight is 95 pounds. Some manufacturers offer custom boxes for bikes that weigh more than 95 pounds. FedEx Office accepts custom bike boxes weighing less than 150 pounds.
Is it possible to ship a bike without disassembling it?
To prevent damage to the bike, it’s best to pack it in a box. For a short trip, however, wrapping the cycle in bubble wrap without disassembling might be an option if you have the extra space.
Conclusion
Shipping a bike is easier than you think, and many of our customers opt to ship their bikes themselves. We want you to know that any bike will be shipped carefully and safely, and if anything is damaged or lost, you are covered by an incredible guarantee. BSXInsight hopes this gives you a better idea of what shipping a bike is like!
