How to ship a bicycle

Disassembling and packing for shipping a bike

Are you about to set off on a trip with your trusty mountain bike, or does your company produce racing bikes, or have you bought an electric bike and need to take it to another city?

Did you receive an increase in demand or did you decide to buy as soon as you heard about the €500 bonus under the Relaunch Decree for bicycle buyers?

Whether you are a cycling enthusiast or have to send bicycles to your customers, you cannot just rely on the hope that your two-wheeler will be treated well during the journey. To make sure it arrives unharmed at its destination, you have to take care of a few things.

Which ones? Let’s find out right now:

• Choose the right packaging: it is essential to have the right box in which to ship your bike;
• Buy the right protection: the right material will make a difference to the safety of the shipment;
• Protect every part: collect screws, bolts, nuts and other small parts in a bag. Wrap all parts well with protective materials and tie them together;
• Compare rates: by requesting several quotes from different couriers and companies you will realise that the shipping costs for a bike can vary greatly from one operator to another. Make sure that insurance coverage is included or consider activating one;
• Weight and size: make sure that the package does not exceed the company’s specifications.

How to pack a bicycle for shipping

Now we come to the actual packing stages!

Below you will find some tips and instructions to follow in order to pack a bike correctly so that it can then be shipped safely by courier.

1. Bike disassembly > start by securing your bike by disassembling the saddle, pedals and handlebars;
2. Packing each part > collect smaller parts such as screws and bolts in a small bag, wrap each part with bubble wrap or paper;
3. Place ina suitable box > place your bike in the box, taking care to fill in the gaps so that the components do not move;
4. Closing the box > to securely close the box, use adhesive tape marked ‘fragile’. This way the couriers will take better care of it;
5. Before shipping, compare the volumetric weight of your parcel with courier rates

> Don’t know how to calculate the volumetric weight? Find out more in this article.

Extra tip:
Be careful with the wheels: remember to deflate the tyres in case of air freight.

Everything you need to protect your bike during transport

At RAJA you can find the perfect box for your bike to ship it safely!

Designed for flat products and made of durable two-wave cardboard, it offers a double layer of protection thanks to its protective flaps.

What makes it particularly practical? The convenient handles that are perfect for transport!

Once you have placed your bike in the box, use bubble wrap to wrap the parts you have disassembled such as the pedals, and choose the squeeze bags to avoid losing screws and bolts.

Remember to fill the empty spaces inside the box with protective material such as kraft paper.

Finally, use tape to seal the box.

Your bike is ready to be shipped!