I’m in Michigan and need to get my bike shipped down to Orlando for the HIM in May. What is the cheapest way for me to go. I have a box for the bike and a box for the wheels and will pack it myself but I’m not sure the most cost effective way to ship it down and back.
Thanks.
I just shipped my bike from KC to San Diego for the CA70.3 and it cost just under $50 including the insurance. The FedEx guy told me insurance runs about $.50 per $100 insured (over the cost of the normal freight). Ground takes about 3 days and if you pack it tight you shouldn’t have any issues.
I wrapped my frame heavily in bubble wrap, and padded the whole thing with a mix of packing peanuts and wadded up newspaper.
From what I saw at the airport, it was something like $75-$100 each way on the airlines…
man…i wish i was as confident in my bike packing abilities…
as for the shipping…i’m pretty sure that FedEx is the best way to go. they define a large parcel (consequently more expensive parcel) as just a few inches larger than UPS which usually ends up saving quite a bit of cash for a bike. i went with them (recommended from local bike shop) and ended up paying $65 to ship from West Virginia to Utah. not too bad in my book.
TriBike Transport may be an option for you: http://www.tribiketransport.com/logistics.html
I’ve heard good things from folks who have gone that route.
Fly USA3000. $50 each way. Won’t find shipping cheaper than that. Southwest is the same.
Jodi
I’m doing that race too. Luckily, US Airways provides FREE bike shipping to Ironman events.
Go to http://www.usairways.com/awa/booking/TripDetail.aspx?book=new, and enter eCertificate IRONMAN01 to get this special deal.
Book your flight on US Airways through this special site, you’ll not only get a great low fare, you’ll also receive an electronic certificate to ship your bicycle for free on any US Airways domestic flight.
**US Airways partner airlines will not honor the certificate. Therefore, be sure to purchase only flights operated by US Airways, America West or express carriers doing business as US Airways Express.
It’s listed on this page… http://www.floridahalfironman.com/aircar.php
Sent a mountain bike California to Pennsylvania fedex ground for $35 a couple of years ago.
just give it enough time…
It may be slightly more (last year was $250 roundtrip from CA to Moo), but nothing beats the convenience of Tri Bike Transport. No packaging, no worrying. They set up next to transition. You pick your bike up there, and after the race you just bring it back to them. No worries about agents tearing your package open to look for exlposives, luggage handlers beating up the box, etc.
Thanks for the responses, am I correct to assume for those prices that the bike and wheels were packed in one box.
Yeah, we paid a total of about $200 for TWO bike boxes round trip to New Orleans using FedEx Ground. As much as I’d like the convenience of TriBikeTransport…i’m not paying $500 (plus the active.com fees) or more.
$200 for two bike boxes is a great deal.
I just want to point out the TriBike Transport is $250 for one bike that is transported to the race site intact for most part. The following is from TriBike Transport’s web site:
*Pedals, seat post mounted CARBON FIBER hydration systems, and rear SOLID disc wheels must be removed. Keep your pedals and CARBON FIBER hydrations systems with you or pack them in the optional gear bag. Put your rear SOLID disc wheel in a wheel bag, ID it and we will take it with your bike for no extra charge.
Your bike will never leave our possession and will arrive at the race location a few days before race day. You will be able to pick it up at or within walking distance of the race transition area and ride it immediately, with confidence of knowing that all nuts and bolts are tight and adjustments are as they were when you gave it to us back home…
The fee for the entire service is $250 for the bike and $35 for an additional bag. This is significantly less than what you would shell out to your airline for the oversized baggage fee.
Service Comparison
The Airlines:
With the airlines, you must:
Dismantle your bike or pay a shop to do it (about $35 each way, $70 total)
Squeeze it into a bike box ($300-400, $50 rental) and haul it to the airport along with all your gear
Hand it to airlines (up to $175 each way, $350 total), hope it will make it to your destination on time and in one piece
Rent a minivan or SUV instead of a car (additional $20+/day) to carry it to your hotel or local shop, unpack and reassemble it or have a shop do it (about $35 each way, $70 total), and hope all bolts are properly tightened and adjustments are still intact
All this, just when all you want to do is rest and focus on being ready for your event.
You then must repeat the entire process for the trip home after the race.
Total cost: minimum $420, up to $500+
DISCLAIMER:
I don’t work for TriBike Transport, but I use to work at a bike shop that is a drop-off/pick-up location. The feedback from folks was always good.
Anyone got an idea on the best/cheapest way to ship International? Fedex domestic sounds pretty good…anyone know if they are reasonable to ship overseas?
For international shipping, the airlines is the best way. I can ship for free on United Airlines. If you are a Premier Executive, you can as well. They allow suitcases/boxes up to 70 lbs. I live and work in Indonesia most of the year and ship my bike to/from here several times per year. International baggage limits are a little more liberal than domestic baggage limits. At least that is the way with most of the carriers I fly on. People here I talk to ship their bikes in a cardboard box with no issues. This way, you can get under the 50# limit on most airlines if you’re not a frequent flyer. Me, I prefer a hard shell because I don’t trust the baggage handlers on this side of the world. Good luck.
Using the bikecaddy.com reusable cardboard box and bike caddy shipping discount is about $75 each way with insurance. When on vacation in Hilton Head a week ago, we rented a Jeep Wrangler which has fold down rear seats. I got the Jeep Wrangler for zero extra dollars over a midsize car. The box was shipped and dropped off at Go Tri Sports. That is undoubtedly the cheapest safe way to do it.
Mr PP…
At what point does the certificate pop up?
I got to the point where I entered my details and card details and almost ready to push the GO button…but didn’t see anything pop up or on the reservation page about a free bike pass even though I entered the special IRONMAN01 code.
Does this e certificate pop up after payment? Do you need to be travelling to an Ironman branded race itself??
A trico bike box fits in the back seat of a full size car no problem. Much cheaper than SUV.
I’m in Michigan and need to get my bike shipped down to Orlando for the HIM in May. What is the cheapest way for me to go. I have a box for the bike and a box for the wheels and will pack it myself but I’m not sure the most cost effective way to ship it down and back.
Thanks.
I just booked my flight to Florida on Frontier and the bike charge is just $50.
Thanks for all the tips, i’m flying to St. A’s at the end of this month and they are charging me $80 each way…guhhh!
The cheapest way to ship a bike is definitely Shipping Sidekick. It’s usually about $15 bucks to ship my Klein from Minneapolis to Omaha.
Also, you should consider also buying a hard bid case if you will be shipping your bike often. A box will suffice for one shipment but you really risk damaging your bike if you ship it in that often.
Lindsey
I’m in Michigan and need to get my bike shipped down to Orlando for the HIM in May. What is the cheapest way for me to go. I have a box for the bike and a box for the wheels and will pack it myself but I’m not sure the most cost effective way to ship it down and back.
Thanks.
I just booked my flight to Florida on Frontier and the bike charge is just $50.
Hmmm…on April 13th, Frontier airlines announced that bike’s fly free with certain tickets (they count as normal luggage), and at most $20 if you buy the Economy tix.
-Scott