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How to Pack & Ship Wheels:

Packing and shipping complete wheels is a pain. Here's how I've done it. Only applies to 20" wheels.

Here's what I'm shipping. Araya 7X wheelset:


First, go to home Depot. Buy this box for < $1. Perfect sized. A little tall, but, we'll deal with that later.


Put it together, look at how perfect that size is, not too big.


First, you gotta deal with axles popping through. Either yank them, or, in my case, I just taped bubble wrap around them to prevent them from poking through.


Pack up the box with paper, or some other filler, to suck up the distance of the axle. Sorta like this:


Next, pop in the first wheel, and pack it in. Then, put the second wheel in, overlapping the axle:


After the second wheel is in, you'll find the height is about 11". We have a 16" box, so, we have to knock off 5" to keep shipping size (cost) down. Mark down in the box 5" in my case. Your results may vary. Cut with a knife down to that mark.


Next, take a straight edge, and bend at the cut you made. Bend out first, to get it straight, then, back over the regular way:


Now, you're box will look like this - top flaps almost cover the top. That's fine. More protection on the top axle with 4 cardboard flaps:


Fill in the open space on the top, protect the axle a bit and you're ready to seal it up. This was some shredded stuff I had from another package. Regular paper works, too:


Fold it over, tape it up, you're ready. Box is 18x18x11, and should ship USPS or UPS for < $15:

Last edited by markmc97225 (2011-05-21 10:22pm)

damn.....nice packing there Mark

Thanks for the great steps on how to pack/ship a bike.

One Q:
What is the finished dimensions on your bike box?

I am shipping a bike and I need to get a rough idea of the overall size and weight of a complete bike. Even a rough estimate will be helpful.

Thanks again!

I just shipped a pair of CW bars and used 2 priority mail boxes taped together in the center.. The long priority boxes.. Some people wrap the boxes in brown paper to ship it ups. I just put in the dimensions online thru paypal using USPS Priority mail , printed my label then shipped them priority and i was charged 8.06 .. Works great.Wrap the bars in pipe insulation, throw bubble wrap and newspaper or what ever in boxes then ship..

Last edited by Number1bidder (2012-06-04 5:42pm)

Woot! You guys rock! Thank you for the info

This is what you gewt when you purchase a F/F from me!!!

Iceman wrote:

A cat?

Maybe alittle cat hair!!!

BMX*Racer*1983 wrote:

Iceman wrote:

A cat?

Maybe alittle cat hair!!!

I like mine shaved, but thanks though.

Sorry D-nice remind me never to buy a complete from you...... Throw some pipe insulation on there atleast man geezz.

A quick tip to make sure there is no movement in the box after all pacling is complete and all bolts are either snugged up or taken out and packed by themselves.I have seen bolts fall out and make a mess of finishes.

Sheesh. I just shipped a 24 inch wheel and it was $30. UPS.