Hi, I have a bike to post and in need of some advice.

Today I Went to my (only) local bike shop to see if they had a cardboard bike box, i was out out luck. So I will need to purchase one, I have seen this one on ebay.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/191558346892

I was wondering if somebody can help me decide if this box is big enough to be sure. The bike is a 2012 giant anthem x3. It is a medium 18 inch frame, with 26″ wheels and everything else apart from a saddle,seatpost and pedals that arent included in the listing.

Does anybody think the box will be ideal?

Also what is the best courrier service to use ? Tnt told me that based on the size of the box it would be not coverd under their standard policy and i need to speak to a team about oversized items. Find that funny from a company that specializes in bulky items.

One more thing ,how am i supposed to work out the excact weight if i dont have anything capable of meassuring the weight of this box? Tried explaining to TNT that i dont specialise in bike sales and dont have the equipment to measure the weight of this .

Looks like ill just need to over estimate the weight of it. To be honest im sure its their job to weight it. Anyways, i imagine a lot of people on here have expierience posting bikes.

Any advise is appeciated, thanks.

Im not the best in the world when it comes to numbers. Anyways

Measure the box, the Courier will have a max girth measurement listed. The max size is a feature of all couriers pricing structure and works around the volumetric weights normally.
You can trim the box to be the right size.
Try another bike shop for a box or ask if they can grab one for you.

For packing wheels off, rotors off, bars off, rear mech and maybe chain split. Pack everything with lots of cardboard so nothing can move and use other stuff to protect rub etc.

Tried explaining to TNT that i dont specialise in bike sales and dont have the equipment to measure the weight of this .

Not their problem.
Do you have bathroom scales? If so weigh yourself then weigh yourself holding the box, same as luggage for flying.

To be honest im sure its their job to weight it.

They will weigh and measure it and update your charges accordingly but you are looking for a quote – they can’t give you one unless you have the dimensions. If you are dropping at a depot they can probably do it there but again the price will be whatever they say it is.

I think paisly freight were always mentioned for bikes on here.

We send bikes all over the UK via TNT. For us, it’s one standard rate up to 20Kg. That’s usually enough for all but the heaviest of bikes. It doesn’t have to be very exact.

As for boxes, we get ours custom made in Musselburgh near Edinburgh. They are much larger than a standard bike box so we don’t even have to take the wheels off 😉

I have a box that I would love for you to take away if you’re anywhere near Bristol…

Remove the derallieur hanger

Remove the derallieur hanger

Remove the derallieur hanger

OP- if you have an Evans Cycles localish, I’m sure they’ll be able to sort you out. I’ve had two from my local store in the last week (I trashed the first one, cos I left it outside….and it rained :oops:)

My local Halfords leaves boxes round the back of the store. If there is one a reasonable distance it might be worth a trip. The weight can be an estimate, a quick google search should enable you to find out the weight of the standard bike.
Might be worth adding your location in case anybody has a box to offer.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/bike-manufacturer-reduces-delivery-damage-70-per-cent-printing-tv-box-285180

Thanks all, interesting article on the tv boxes lol. I actually work in logistics and that is true.

I ended up using pagley freight, TNT were insanely expensive. Worked out cheaper sending it qith pagley with 200 quid insurance than tnt with 0 insurance. I will be suprised if i gets there in one bit even with the bullet proof packaging.

Read a few bad reviews but about them but i am not preppaired to dig into 30% of my profit plus ebay fees to use TNT. Not to happy already with pfreight their tracking service is down for me.

Just hope it gets to surrey in one bit.

I used PAisley Freight and whilst they got it there REALLY quickly….

The tracking was useless and they never left a card.

“delivered and left with ^^%^£$%^” which was a random name the buyer had never heard of. He had to go knocking on doors to work out who had his bike.

Had a not-so-good experience with Paisley Freight during summer. They seem to be pretty good at some things (website is slick, pricing ok), but not others (tracking, customer service, insurance claims etc).

YMMV

Had a not-so-good experience with Paisley Freight during summer. They seem to be pretty good at some things (website is slick, pricing ok), but not others (tracking, customer service, insurance claims etc).
YMMV

Did your item arrive in one bit?.

Just to confirm, my bike got to its location fine with no problems.

Sold 2 bikes using PF this year, brilliant. Picked up from work bike shed, and both times delivered next day, and fully insured for good price.