Bike shipping question

Michele Cellai

 When you ship your bike, do you leave the wheel with the PT hub on the bike?

I was thinking about shipping with a different wheel and carrying that wheel with me for safety.

I've never shipped before.

Nemo Brauch

Well, I have to take the wheels off the bike to get it all in the box to be shipped. But yes, I ship the PT Wheel in the same box as the bike. If the airline is gonna loose or damage your bike, why do you think it would be safe coming with you on the plane??? Much safer giving it to FedEx (or at least it's insured).

Coach Patrick

What nemo said....put it all in there....

Shrink

FYI, I found out today , that DUE to shipping it early it was about 50% cheaper, I used what they call FED-EX ground , vs. overnight, vs. two day, and all of that was still really expensive. You need a special label but way worth it. +

Michele Cellai

I am shipping my bike by Fed Ex ground. I was thinking that I would keep the PT wheel for weekend riding. But sounds like the vote is that it should be OK with the bike in the box. Hope to send it out Thursday.

Thanks for the responses.

Nemo Brauch

Michele- FYI, I've had the Clarion add your name to our room reservation to be sure that you can check in (and get your bike) when you arrive. I'm pretty sure you'll be there several hours before me.

Coach Rich

If you have the ability (you have two bikes = a spare to ride at home so you can afford to be without your main bike for a while), I recommend going FedEx ground. Also recommend you be nice to your LBS, our find a local business with shippers account with FedEx. I'm shipping my bike from Wheelbuilder and taking advantage of his much better rate than I could get shipping on my own. You may be able to find a similar hook up, especially good if you can also pay for and print a return label. 

So:

• Find someone with a commercial freight account
• Ship it FedEx ground, printing the return label and bringing it with you to WI
• Ride your back up bike in the meantime
• Slap the return label on your bike box when you are ready to leave and be sure to call FedEx (your hook up person has to do this, only the owner of the shipping acct can call) to have them pick the box up on Monday.

Michele Cellai

Thanks for all of the advice.
I am using Shipbikes.com
Actually kind of psyched about doing this (assuming it all turns out good, but it will be insured to the hilt)

@Nemo- Holy cow! Great point! Thank you.