| If you are considering buying or selling your bike, you | | | | about the condition of the bike. |
| will know that you have to prepare your bike for | | | | Once the bike is wrapped up nicely in newspaper, |
| transport. You cannot safely mail your bike in one | | | | loosen the stem and take the handlebars and stem |
| piece. So how does one prepare to ship a bike? The | | | | off. Do not do anything to the brake or shifting |
| easiest way to is to take it to your local bike shop | | | | wires, just remove the stem and handlebars. Tape |
| and have them pack it up. They can do it for | | | | the handlebars to the top tube. |
| somewhere between $20 and $50 depending on the | | | | Take off both wheels now. On the front put the |
| shop. It will be professionally done and you can feel | | | | fork block. This helpful little device prevents the fork |
| safe in knowing nothing will harm the bike in transit. If | | | | from both being crushed in transit and the fork from |
| you want to pack the bike up yourself and save | | | | bursting through the box with its pointy ends. If you |
| some money, then you will need to run to the bike | | | | can, you should cut a block of wood to stick |
| shop anyway. Ask them nicely if you can get a bike | | | | between where the hub is normally on the rear |
| box and a fork block. These two things come with | | | | wheel. This will prevent the frame from receiving any |
| every bike they build and get thrown away | | | | damage while shipping. On a downhill bike this should |
| afterward. Since the bike shops have to pay to | | | | not be nearly as much of a problem though, and you |
| dispose of the boxes, they should be happy to give | | | | will probably be fine without doing it. |
| you both. Make sure the bike box is the right size. | | | | It is time to place the bike into the box now. Put in |
| You will probably need to find one from another free | | | | the frame first. Once you have that fit in, figure out |
| ride or downhill bike because you will need a big box. | | | | how you will put the wheels in. Once you have those |
| The first step to take in the packing process is to | | | | in, you should stuff the rest of the box with |
| remove the seat post and seat. Keep them together | | | | crumpled up newspaper or packing peanuts. |
| as one unit. Get a bag and place the seat and seat | | | | Whatever you do in this step, do not force it. You |
| post in the bag. Remove the pedals from both sides | | | | do not want any point parts sticking out of the box. |
| of the bike now and place them in the bag as well. | | | | Everything should fit comfortably in. Anything that |
| Now you should have done the basics and be getting | | | | you forced in will probably rip open the box which will |
| the major frame components ready to ship. I | | | | be trouble. |
| recommend to protect the paint that you wrap the | | | | If you got everything in there snuggly and safely, |
| top and down tube in newspaper. It takes time to do | | | | give yourself a pat on the back because your almost |
| this but it is well worth. Since shipping can be rough, | | | | done! Just seal it up with a lot of tape and take it |
| the last thing you want is the bike to show up all | | | | down the post office. You are ready to ship it. |
| scratched up and have the buyer complain you lied | | | | Congratulations! |