A step-by-step guide to Boxing a Bicycle for shipping or travel

What is the best way to box a bicycle?

When you are ready to send your bicycle, make sure it is properly packed. The easiest way is to drop off your bicycle at a local bike shop so they can do it. But if you want to DIY, consider the following.

Boxing your bike:

  1. Remove any loose items: Take off any accessories such as water bottles, lights, pumps, etc. This prevents items rattling or bouncing around during transit.
  2. Deflate the tires: This will help prevent the tires from being damaged during transit. It doesn’t have to be completely flat — ensure you leave enough air to keep the sealant inside.
  3. Remove the front wheel: This will make the bicycle easier to pack and will also reduce its size. And we all know that volumetric weight (L*B*H) plays a large part in the cost of bike travel. Less, is less.
  4. Secure the handlebars: Turn the handlebars to one side and secure them in place using a piece of tape or strap to prevent them from moving during transit. If needed, loosen at the headset and slide in the handlebars next to the fork.
  5. Protect the frame: Wrap the frame and other parts of the bike with bubble wrap or a protective blanket to prevent scratches and other damages during transit. You don’t have to do it everywhere; just where the contact points are.
  6. Pack the wheel: Place the wheel in the box and surround it with additional padding to prevent it from being damaged. Bubble wrap around the skewer and disc brakes will do the trick.
  7. Insert the frame: Slide the frame into the box and make sure that it’s securely in place and surrounded by enough padding to prevent movement during transit.
  8. Close the box: Seal the box with shipping tape and label it with the proper shipping information. Continue to add as many “Fragile” and “This Side Up” as you want. This should theoretically ensure that it is handled with care during transit. Go ACSA…

Success!

It’s important to use a sturdy box that is the correct size for the bicycle, and to add enough padding to prevent it from being damaged during transit. A well-packed bicycle should not have any movement inside the box, and all parts should be protected.

*TIP: save yourself some setup time on the other end and mark you handlebar position and saddle height with electrical tape. This is very handy of you don’t do this often.

There you have it, now your bicycle is ready for travel.

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