Do you mean you're a pickle, or you're in a pickle?
No advice sorry, just wanted to have a shot.
No advice sorry, just wanted to have a shot.
I'm in a pickle, ship bike to the UK or sell and buy a new rig?
Hey people,
As some of you know i'm moving to Scotland. It's fast approaching, just over 9 weeks to go.
My problem is what to do about my bike. There is no question about whether or not i need one, that is simple. Deciding on shipping mine or buying once there is a whole different ball game.
Shipping is probably going to be somewhere in the order of $300 - $700. Wide range because no company/service can guarantee what fees i will incur when the bike arrives. I then have the issue of where to put the bike when i get there as i won't have a house straight away.
So the other option, sell and buy over there. I have no idea of what i would get for my bike, i'm sure i'd expect more than i would get simply because we all overprice our pride and joy. To hazard a guess i'd say $1500 upwards.
Anyway, does anybody have experience with this situation? I'm just so confused, any advice is appreciated.
Grant.
As some of you know i'm moving to Scotland. It's fast approaching, just over 9 weeks to go.
My problem is what to do about my bike. There is no question about whether or not i need one, that is simple. Deciding on shipping mine or buying once there is a whole different ball game.
Shipping is probably going to be somewhere in the order of $300 - $700. Wide range because no company/service can guarantee what fees i will incur when the bike arrives. I then have the issue of where to put the bike when i get there as i won't have a house straight away.
So the other option, sell and buy over there. I have no idea of what i would get for my bike, i'm sure i'd expect more than i would get simply because we all overprice our pride and joy. To hazard a guess i'd say $1500 upwards.
Anyway, does anybody have experience with this situation? I'm just so confused, any advice is appreciated.
Grant.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
What size is the bike? My brother in law is in the market for a new bike, and he's probably about your height. I'll give you $1000 for it, and that's being generous for a giant (I should know, I've got 4 in my house at the moment).
But seriously, could you buy a bike bag, pay for extra luggage weight on the flight, and just take it with you? Forget about clothes, you can buy more when you get there. Get your priorities right! But I suppose if you had your prioities right you wouldn't be leaving Australia to live in Scotland in the first place.
Considering what you would get for your perfectly good bike (hardly riden from what I've seen of it!), compared to what you'd pay for the equivalent once you get there, I'd say ship it. Or think of it the other way, sell it, get $1000+ for it, save the $700 you'd pay to ship it, and get something for $2K when you get there to break even.
I've been absolutely no help, but I'm interested because I may be in this situation in a couple of years.
Sell it to me,
Paul
But seriously, could you buy a bike bag, pay for extra luggage weight on the flight, and just take it with you? Forget about clothes, you can buy more when you get there. Get your priorities right! But I suppose if you had your prioities right you wouldn't be leaving Australia to live in Scotland in the first place.
Considering what you would get for your perfectly good bike (hardly riden from what I've seen of it!), compared to what you'd pay for the equivalent once you get there, I'd say ship it. Or think of it the other way, sell it, get $1000+ for it, save the $700 you'd pay to ship it, and get something for $2K when you get there to break even.
I've been absolutely no help, but I'm interested because I may be in this situation in a couple of years.
Sell it to me,
Paul
Well played John, well played.
Edited.
Edited.
Wouldn't say no help, it's good to get some opinions for my consideration.Alias Pauly said:What size is the bike? My brother in law is in the market for a new bike, and he's probably about your height. I'll give you $1000 for it, and that's being generous for a giant (I should know, I've got 4 in my house at the moment).
But seriously, could you buy a bike bag, pay for extra luggage weight on the flight, and just take it with you? Forget about clothes, you can buy more when you get there. Get your priorities right! But I suppose if you had your prioities right you wouldn't be leaving Australia to live in Scotland in the first place.
Considering what you would get for your perfectly good bike (hardly riden from what I've seen of it!), compared to what you'd pay for the equivalent once you get there, I'd say ship it. Or think of it the other way, sell it, get $1000+ for it, save the $700 you'd pay to ship it, and get something for $2K when you get there to break even.
I've been absolutely no help, but I'm interested because I may be in this situation in a couple of years.
Sell it to me,
Paul
Not too sure about your offer though, it is well ridden, just well looked after. If i'm in a pinch i'll give you a call.
It's a tough one, i'm definitely leaning towards shipping and just hoping someone has been in my positions and knows a cheap/cheapest way to go about it.
Cheers for your input Paul.
Dude, I started searching through my bike porn for the reference to the shipping company I said I'd seen. Unfortunately, it's in one of about 30 magazines and I'd be flipping through every page. Plus wife moves it around when the pile gets big so it may be in another pile, hidden somewhere.
So I've tried every combination of Ship My Ride, Post My Ride, Ship My Bike, Ship My Ride etc on google to no avail. Which means it's either something else, or it's no longer in business. All I could find in those combo's was motorcycle shipping.
In any case, I think this thing I found was just a mob that took care of boxing, pickup & delivery - I'd say it would still go through one of the major players (DHL, UPS, FedEx etc) in transit.
I'd say there's really just the 2 options: post it via one of said players, or take it with you in a bike bag as the big man suggests. My vote would be for the bike bag (get a decent hard-case one). I know baggage handlers are often colloquialized as "throwers" but after reading a few "UPS Trashed my bike" threads on here - where it seems the consensus was that all these companies have some bad apples that cause this - I'd take the ease of mind knowing it's just 3 or 4 sets of hands it has to pass through between check in and retrieval with the airline. Obviously, it'll be a hassle to carry & taxi it around, but you'll be responsible for it at least.
Insurance is an option if posting, but apparently you really need to read the fine-print (also learned in abovementioned thread) and don't expect for a speedy process. I know for a fact travel insurance companies (or at least, the one I last used) are very good, and speedy. That was for health reasons though I guess ... but relatives using the same company have had good results with the "someone stole my video camera" thing that happens to just about every gullible person I know.
I'd be reluctant to suggest selling it though ... unless it's going to cost you over say ... $700 - 800 to send it.
So I've tried every combination of Ship My Ride, Post My Ride, Ship My Bike, Ship My Ride etc on google to no avail. Which means it's either something else, or it's no longer in business. All I could find in those combo's was motorcycle shipping.
In any case, I think this thing I found was just a mob that took care of boxing, pickup & delivery - I'd say it would still go through one of the major players (DHL, UPS, FedEx etc) in transit.
I'd say there's really just the 2 options: post it via one of said players, or take it with you in a bike bag as the big man suggests. My vote would be for the bike bag (get a decent hard-case one). I know baggage handlers are often colloquialized as "throwers" but after reading a few "UPS Trashed my bike" threads on here - where it seems the consensus was that all these companies have some bad apples that cause this - I'd take the ease of mind knowing it's just 3 or 4 sets of hands it has to pass through between check in and retrieval with the airline. Obviously, it'll be a hassle to carry & taxi it around, but you'll be responsible for it at least.
Insurance is an option if posting, but apparently you really need to read the fine-print (also learned in abovementioned thread) and don't expect for a speedy process. I know for a fact travel insurance companies (or at least, the one I last used) are very good, and speedy. That was for health reasons though I guess ... but relatives using the same company have had good results with the "someone stole my video camera" thing that happens to just about every gullible person I know.
I'd be reluctant to suggest selling it though ... unless it's going to cost you over say ... $700 - 800 to send it.
You dont even need a bike bag to fly with it. Go to your LBS and ask them for a bike box (cardboard box that new bikes arive in) and pack up your bike in one of those with lots of padding. Thats what a group of guys from here did when they went os and they said it worked well. Unless you think you need a bike bag that might be a cheaper way to go.
Is your bike any good in mud? Might be handy in Scotland.
Is your bike any good in mud? Might be handy in Scotland.
I picked up a box today, will probably pack the bike up in about a month and will hopefully have an idea of what i'm doing with it then.
I really don't think i'll sell it.
Thanks Ben for your input.
I really don't think i'll sell it.
Thanks Ben for your input.
How much do you love your bike? If selling it is an option, maybe you don't love it enough and it's time for a new one.
Does that help?
Does that help?
I am rather fond of my bike, but the lure of a new, shiny steed is always tempting. Besides, i've already picked out the new bits i want for it from CRC when i get to the UK.John© said:How much do you love your bike? If selling it is an option, maybe you don't love it enough and it's time for a new one.
Does that help?
Hey, will there be a Waldog MTBR memorial ride ? Throw your leg over for one last spin before you get on the plane. I'll be there, name the location. Hey if you are selling, dont settle for $1000. Remember I sold my 2007 trance frame with basic 2009 anthem x2 parts for $1600 on ebay. Put a high starting price and see how you go. Doesnt sell, then you were meant to ship it. But a new bike is nice, Im over due for my yearly, unnecessary, new ride, and my wallet is getting nervous. (Though ive spent too much on kayaks this year, so looks like i'll have to wait till next year).
Anyone else interested in the Waldog ride ?
Cheers
Anyone else interested in the Waldog ride ?
Cheers
Hi Wal, sell your bike if you want to buy another one, otherwise take it with you on the plane.
There's a few little things I've learnt about taking it with you on the plane:
- Taking your bike with you is pretty cheap on international flights as long as you're within your luggage restrictions when it's weight is included - free or about $30, but check the terms carefully as budget carriers will probably try to claw back some profit. Beware of any domestic interconnecting flights that aren't on the same fare and under the same conditions, or anywhere you have to re-check it in again en-route. They may charge extra, depending on the carrier (about $200).
- Pack your bike well, in particular put a dummy axle into the forks so they won't get crushed together and get some of those caps for the ends of the wheel hub axles that they put on new wheelsets so they won't poke a hole through the box. Your LBS should have them since new bikes have them in the box.
- Remove at least one side of each tyre from the rim of each wheel. This is so that when customs looks inside your tyres they don't have to puncture your inner tubes and scratch your rims with their specially sharpened screwdriver blades as they wrestle your tyres off the rims.
See you on the farewell ride...where are we going?
There's a few little things I've learnt about taking it with you on the plane:
- Taking your bike with you is pretty cheap on international flights as long as you're within your luggage restrictions when it's weight is included - free or about $30, but check the terms carefully as budget carriers will probably try to claw back some profit. Beware of any domestic interconnecting flights that aren't on the same fare and under the same conditions, or anywhere you have to re-check it in again en-route. They may charge extra, depending on the carrier (about $200).
- Pack your bike well, in particular put a dummy axle into the forks so they won't get crushed together and get some of those caps for the ends of the wheel hub axles that they put on new wheelsets so they won't poke a hole through the box. Your LBS should have them since new bikes have them in the box.
- Remove at least one side of each tyre from the rim of each wheel. This is so that when customs looks inside your tyres they don't have to puncture your inner tubes and scratch your rims with their specially sharpened screwdriver blades as they wrestle your tyres off the rims.
See you on the farewell ride...where are we going?
beat me to it my buddy lost some fairly expensive nokians this way because they sliced into the damn "tyres" toocowpat said:- Remove at least one side of each tyre from the rim of each wheel. This is so that when customs looks inside your tyres they don't have to puncture your inner tubes and scratch your rims with their specially sharpened screwdriver blades as they wrestle your tyres off the rims.
I actually wasn't going to transport it with any tyres at all, or maybe just have some new ones ready to put on for when i get there, thanks for the heads up though.
I'm looking like i'll use an excess baggage company called Jetta Express. The cost looks like it could be in the range of 250-400. We'll see how it goes.
I don't think i'm special enough for a farewell ride, and i'm also not sure when i could fit one in. Everything will be very hectic soon. See how we go.
Thanks for all the input!!!!
Grant.
I'm looking like i'll use an excess baggage company called Jetta Express. The cost looks like it could be in the range of 250-400. We'll see how it goes.
I don't think i'm special enough for a farewell ride, and i'm also not sure when i could fit one in. Everything will be very hectic soon. See how we go.
Thanks for all the input!!!!
Grant.
Sounds like a great excuse for a new bike to me.
sif there won't be a farewell ride.waldog said:I don't think i'm special enough for a farewell ride, and i'm also not sure when i could fit one in. Everything will be very hectic soon. See how we go.
Any excuse for a ride. And you could borrow someone's bike if your's is packed. I'm sure there'll be a few offers. As for time...it's only a few hours out of a day.
taking it with you on the plane is way cheaper than transport firm. The box option is the best. Put some of your clothing around to bike for extra padding and and some weight reduction of your other bags. Give a big cheesy smile to the check-in lady and you get away with a lot of extra weight.
If your bike is still good and suits the new terrain you'll be riding, buying a new one will always set you back big cash. Unless you just need an excuse to buy something shiny and new.
If your bike is still good and suits the new terrain you'll be riding, buying a new one will always set you back big cash. Unless you just need an excuse to buy something shiny and new.
I've looked into taking it with me on the plane, but it really isn't viable. The flying kangaroo well and truly know how to charge through the ring for additional baggage allowance, and that doesn't take into account my connecting flight from London to Edinburgh with British Airways. All told, i'd be looking at something in the realm of $700, not fun.
I've found a couple more companies that specialise in shipping excess baggage, fingers crossed some good will come from that.
Cheers,
Grant.
I've found a couple more companies that specialise in shipping excess baggage, fingers crossed some good will come from that.
Cheers,
Grant.
+1 for something shiny and new.
Don't forget that the UK have a bike to work scheme ie salary subsidy for bikes and employees buying them - more ammo for a new bike.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
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