Shipping Bikes to Grand Junction, CO

GSTim

GSTim

Formerly M3Tim
I'm heading out to Fruita and Moab in Oct. and was looking to ship my bike out there. Anyone have any suggestions for the best way to get them out there. I have no problems building the bike up out there and I'm doing this trip on an extreme budget, so I'm not really looking to have a shop build the bike once out there.

Here is a link to my thread looking for some cases 😀:

http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?p=269359#post269359

Thanks,

Tim
 
if you are heading out with more than one person it would be cheaper to drive and camp along the way. Thats what I just did. Fuita is awesome
 
RS,

I'd love to do that but I just don't have the time (also just got back from driving the whole family to the Fla Keys so I'm done with the car :cry🙂. Also I have freq flier miles so the flight is free. 😀
 
Luggage, no charge!

http://gtluke.com/biking/biking-vegas/

435296175_awuYJ-L.jpg
 
If staying at a hotel, ask them if you can ship it there and have them just put it in a storage room till you arrive. Because it is a biking destination, I'm sure they have done it before.

You could also call the local shops and ask them to do the same thing. Buy something while you are there to make it worth their time.
 
I was just going to write a big post about bringing it on the plane, but missed the first word in the title. Just get a good box from the garbage pile at Halters and some bubble packing.

Just don't forget to pack tools in the box. It would suck to not be able to build it once you get to Moab.

If you need anyone to help put it all together let me know. I have experience.
 
I've shipped to the Best Western and Ramada in Grand Junction without any problems. If you can get a flight out of NJ before 9AM, you still have plenty of time to land in GJ, build up the bike and be riding in Fuita by 3PM.
 
If you want to do it on the cheap....Not sure if you can use luke's method with a 29er. I think I remember him saying the box he used for his 26" wheeled bike being maximum size for the plane. But if you go to a bike shop, they should have left over bike boxes laying around that they want to get rid off. Should be able to find one big enough for your bike. Pack it up, then you can go on ups or fedex online and print yourself a label. Should cost you less that $50.
 
BiknBen said:
If staying at a hotel, ask them if you can ship it there and have them just put it in a storage room till you arrive. Because it is a biking destination, I'm sure they have done it before.
Click to expand...

I've done this at a hotel in Fruita. I think it was a Best Western & we also keep the bikes in the room. It shouldn't be a problem.

Tim,

Most airlines are charging around $125 each way to ship a bike. UPS charges extra for shipping a bike box. We learned this the hard way 2 yrs ago (it's was a new policy at the time). I once shipped my bike in a corrugated box. It was packed well & my frame still got damaged. I only will use a bike box now which I bought. Hint, hint. PM me. I like beer. Hint, hint.
 
UtahJoe said:
If you want to do it on the cheap....Not sure if you can use luke's method with a 29er. I think I remember him saying the box he used for his 26" wheeled bike being maximum size for the plane. But if you go to a bike shop, they should have left over bike boxes laying around that they want to get rid off. Should be able to find one big enough for your bike. Pack it up, then you can go on ups or fedex online and print yourself a label. Should cost you less that $50.
Click to expand...

These days it's closer to $75, especially for a FS 29er. But it's still easier than lugging it thru the airport. Make sure you save the box, and pack extra tape and zip ties for the trip home. You can print the label before you leave and leave it at your hotel for pickup. There is also a Fedex location a couple of minutes from the airport.
 
I'm pretty sure you can get 29er wheels in a plane box.
What's the OD of a 29er wheel? 26"?
26x26x10 is the max size, or 72"combined
Mine is 25x27x10 and the 26" wheels fit with deflated tires on them
May not work with xl frames, L might be tough too
Wondering how a 29er fork would fit... Mine is kinda tough
 
Bike N Gear said:
These days it's closer to $75, especially for a FS 29er. But it's still easier than lugging it thru the airport. Make sure you save the box, and pack extra tape and zip ties for the trip home. You can print the label before you leave and leave it at your hotel for pickup. There is also a Fedex location a couple of minutes from the airport.
Click to expand...

I dont know how the ups rates breakdown, but I shipped a bike to alabama from jersey last month on my works account....(cant be a big account since we ship 5 boxes a month at most) But 40lb box cost me $36.
 
Ok I looged into my UPS account for the exact info:

43lbs (66lbs billable for dimensional weight)
57x28x8 box
Shipped to rural Louisana $37.71
 
UtahJoe said:
Ok I looged into my UPS account for the exact info:

43lbs (66lbs billable for dimensional weight)
57x28x8 box
Shipped to rural Louisana $37.71
Click to expand...

Use those same numbers without an account and it's $52. Most o the bike boxes I receive are 30" in height. If you change that one number, the cost jumps to $122. 90lbs billable weight. So you have to be carefull with what box you use.
 
Here's another option to consider. I rented a bike from Ruby Canyon Cycles right in Grand Junction. They had a really nice selection of high end Yeti bikes. I think I paid $50/day and they were super helpful letting us pick up bikes early without charging an extra day, and swapping out stems to get just the right fit.

When you factor in the shipping costs, the potential for shipping damage, and the hassle of having to tear down / rebuild your bike, this is worth considering. Depending how many days you plan to ride, this might even be a cheaper option.

http://rubycanyoncycles.com/

There is also Over the Edge Sports in Fruita. They have a larger rental fleet but are more expensive.
 
There's nothing like riding your bike. However for a day or two it's easy to rent a bike, a week...gets kind of expensive.

I think the 29er can *possibly* fit in the box Luke posted (I have the same box) but it'd be really close. My frame is a medium with a long top-tube and it fits.

The biggest issue doing it like how Luke did it is getting a box that is the right size. Our boxes are slightly oversized (haven't had problems with the airlines), are a pain to lug around and end up costing about $50 since they now charge for luggage on planes.

Even if you were shipping the bikes it seems to make sense to break them down so they fit in smaller boxes so you don't incur the large box shipping surcharge.

-Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom