Hi all,

I just have a really quick question re: packing for shipping. I have a few items that won't fit into boxes, like my mountain bike and a super-large beanbag. Did anyone have similar items and how were they handled when shipped via groupage? Did your shipping company box them up or did they just slap your shipping documents straight onto the item?

Thanks
Cat

Your bike will probably need to be boxed. Go to any bike shop and ask for a bike box, they have them going spare so shouldn't be an issue. You'll then have to take apart the bike to get it in the box - pedals off, wheels off, seat off, handlebars off. Then it all slots into the box with a bit of rejigging.

Large bean bag I would also put in a box - it's going to get thrown around in the process of moving and you don't want it pierced or damaged.

Ok, thanks for the advice! Will try and sort all that out (at least the bike box) this weekend. Stupid me didn't even consider taking it apart - should have been obvious really. Not sure where on earth I'll find a box big enough for the beanbag though. Maybe NASA will have something.

Put it in extra large bin bags? taped in the middle if it needs 2?

Most bike shops will have boxes - it's how they receive bikes delivered to the store, and they usually have tons going spare. You shouldn't have a problem. Just make sure you get one big enough, naturally.

When you pack it, make sure the more sensitive bits are protected, use either more cardboard or really sturdy bubble-wrap. This includes things like the gear shifters, the brakes, the axels, etc. You don't want the main parts of your bike getting crushed. The core part of the frame and the spokes/wheels should be fine.

Beanbag - worst case is to do as Geordie said and experiment with lots of bin bags.

Empty the beans into several doubled up black bin bags (or use them for packing material for other items), fold the cover up and put it in a box.

You could also bring your bike (in a bike box) on the flight.

Good suggestion on th ebeans!

As for the bike box, worth checking as it depends massively on the airline. For example, can't remember if it was Air Canada or BA, but one of them made you pay £80 or whatever for a second "checked bag", PLUS a £50 "special luggage" handling fee.

Conversely, on Air Transat, you just pay a £20 fee for the box and that was it.

So it depends on the airline.

OMG you guys are so awesome and I feel really dumb that I didn't think of these ideas in the first place. I should have thought outside the box more....

... That was awful. I'll get my coat.

Actually its inside the box that you needed to be thinking.