SendMyGear · Step-by-step

Bike Packing Guide

Packing tutorial (video)

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Overview

Step-by-step guide

Whether you are going on a bike trip or race, or selling your bike online, packing the right way helps ensure your bike arrives without damage. Bikes are expensive—this is a great way to protect your investment.

If you are traveling with your bike

Shipping ahead is a great way to:

Avoid the baggage claim

Avoid rental cars that are too small

Avoid the hassle of renting gear that isn't quite right

Enjoy riding your own equipment

If you are selling your bike

Careful packing helps ensure your bike shows up the way you described it.

Bike box

You can use a cardboard bike box or a hard bike case. Reach out to your local bike shop well in advance and ask for a box—tell them the size and type of bike (mountain, road, and BMX boxes differ) so they can reserve one that fits.

Packing materials — the goal Pack so nothing gets scratched and delicate parts are protected. More packing material is better: you want zero shifting in the box. Anything loose that can rub the frame, components, or cardboard will cause damage in shipping.

Supplies

Foam — pool noodles and pipe insulation work well

Heavy bubble wrap

Extra cardboard pieces

Towels or rags

High-quality clear packing tape

Permanent marker

Zip ties

Ziploc bags (bolts and small parts)

Bike stand

Optional: brake spacer or cardboard

Optional: axle support

Optional: plastic hub end caps / axle protectors

Optional: cable crimp if shipping for travel

Tools

Allen wrenches

Torx driver

Pedal wrench (if pedals won't come off with Allen keys)

Cassette tool

Brake pad spacer (cardboard)

Bike repair stand

Follow in order

Disassemble, pack, seal, label

Start with a clean bike

It is worth the extra time to work on clean equipment—it helps avoid unnecessary damage to delicate parts.

Remove pedals & rear derailleur

Remove the pedals.

Remove pedals with the correct wrench or hex interface.

Shift the derailleur to the smallest cog in the rear.

Turn the crank arms so the non-drive (left) crank arm faces forward.

Small cog + left crank forward is a common shipping starting position.

Wrap the derailleur in foam or bubble wrap and zip-tie it to the inner side of the rear triangle or rear axle so it cannot swing into the wheel or box.

Immobilize the derailleur—impact here is a common shipping failure.

Remove the front wheel

Remove the front wheel per your axle type.

Reinstall the front axle without the wheel, or use axle supports; pad fork tips with bubble wrap or heavy cardboard.

Install axle support or wrap the axle with heavy cardboard so the fork legs cannot move inward and get damaged.

Secure the frame

Tightly wrap the frame, fork, crank arms, and rear triangle with foam, bubble wrap, or cardboard. This step is critical to prevent scratches and tube damage.

Every tube that can touch the box or another part should be padded.

Remove the front brake disc

Remove the rotor before shipping so it cannot bend in transit.

Reinstall bolts to hub after the rotor is off so small hardware is not lost—tighten them snugly.

Keep rotor bolts in the hub or a labeled Ziploc—never loose in the box.

Protect the disc with cardboard and place it in a Ziploc bag.

Cardboard sleeve + bag keeps the rotor flat and clean.

Install brake spacer & prep front wheel in frame

Install a brake spacer or a folded piece of cardboard in the front caliper.

Spacers keep pads from creeping together if the lever is bumped.

Do not squeeze the brake lever after the wheel is removed—pistons can advance and cause caliper misalignment.

Attach the front wheel to the frame by sliding it through the non-chain side crank arm and securing with zip ties (see step 9 for final box placement).

Check the front hub so it is not contacting the frame or ready to cut through the box—pad and secure as needed.

Hub caps or extra cardboard protect axles and paint.

Remove handlebars

Remove the front stem faceplate bolts, then reinstall the faceplate without the bars so the stem is not empty and sharp.

Remove faceplate evenly so bars come off cleanly.

Pad bars with foam or bubble wrap (and paper) end to end.

Depending on space, zip-tie the handlebars to the frame or top tube, away from wheels, so levers and controls cannot take a hit in transit.

Test fit in the box

Check that the bike fits with the rear wheel installed.

Ensure the left crank arm points forward and runs parallel to the bottom of the box.

Ensure the box will close with the seat at its lowest position. If not, loosen the seat collar and drop the seat—or remove the seatpost and zip-tie it to the rear wheel.

For dropper posts, remove the seat rather than the post when possible.

Verify seat height clears the flaps before you commit to final padding.

Step 8A — Bike fits with rear wheel installed

Find a location to zip-tie handlebars to the bike where brake levers will not be pressed.

Step 8B — Bike does not fit

Remove the rear wheel.

Install a brake spacer in the rear brake.

Do not squeeze the brake lever after the rear wheel is removed.

Reinstall the rear axle.

Remove the cassette from the rear wheel, wrap it in bubble wrap or cardboard, and secure it in the box so it cannot move or damage anything.

Place the front wheel in the box

Position the front wheel on the non-chain side of the front triangle with the hub safely away from the frame, then place it in the box with the bike.

Use a large piece of cardboard between frame and wheel, or plastic hub end caps from your shop.

Use cardboard between hub and box wall so the hub cannot punch through.

If space is tight, remove the bike briefly and pass the non-drive crank arm through the largest area of the spokes below the hub—pad both sides and zip-tie securely.

Shield the hub from the frame and from the cardboard.

Step 9A — If the rear wheel was removed

Find a secure spot for the rear wheel where cassette teeth or rotor edges cannot contact the frame or box—use cardboard as a shield.

Final check

Everything should be tight and immobile—shake the (open) box gently and listen for movement.

Confirm no sharp points can puncture the box.

Add extra packing material when in doubt.

Keep small parts in Ziploc bags or containers taped inside the box.

If shipping for travel, riding gear can double as padding when packed safely.

Fill voids so nothing settles in transit.

Seal the box & attach the label

Before sealing, recheck contact points and add padding anywhere metal or axle could meet cardboard.

Close the top and run long strips of packing tape perpendicular to the seam (about 18″ each) so the flaps cannot pop.

Strong tape across the seam beats a single narrow strip.

Print your label, stick it flat on top, then cover fully with clear tape so it cannot tear—keep tape over barcodes smooth for scanning.

Ready for a quote? Enter your packed box dimensions and weight on SendMyGear after packing is finished—your price depends on what UPS bills for.

Bike shipping on SendMyGear

Frequently asked questions

Bike

Do I Need To Disassemble My Bike to Ship It

Yes. The extent to which you need to disassemble your bike depends on its size and the dimensions of the box or case you are using for shipping. Generally, the smaller the box or case, the more disassembly will be required.

Common disassembly steps include removing the pedals, one or both wheels, disc brake rotors, bottle cages, handlebars, seatpost, and rear derailleur.

Be sure to check out our packing guides and videos HERE

Can I Ship My Own Bike Case?

Yes, you can ship your own case.

When using a bike travel case, fasten your label with a luggage tag and zip tie. Luggage tags are readily available at most UPS partner locations, or you can create your own. Refer to the video for guidance.

To ensure your bike shipment arrives promptly and intact, adhere to these label attachment guidelines:

Remove any previous labels and markings from the exterior of your container.
Print both pages of your paper label bundle.
Place one page inside your container.
Cut the other page in half and affix both pieces separately to the outside of your container. The section with the barcode serves as your primary label, while the portion without the barcode acts as your Shipping Info Summary.

Including the Shipping Info Summary sheet both inside and outside your container provides crucial shipment details. These details assist us in expediting your shipment's recovery if the label becomes illegible or detaches during transit.

Within the US, the maximum size package you can ship is 165 inches (419 cm) in combined length and girth, with no single dimension exceeding 108 inches (274 cm). Internationally, the maximum size is typically 157 inches (399 cm) or less, depending on the destination country.

EVOC cases you CANNOT ship with SendMyGear:

Road Bike Bag Pro (exceeds maximum allowed size)

Scicon Cases you CANNOT ship with SendMyGear:

Aerocomfort 3.0 Road Bike Travel Bag
Aerocomfort 3.0 Triathlon Bike Travel Bag
Aerocomfort MTN Bike Travel Bag
Aerocomfort Tandem Bike Travel Bag
Soft Bike Bag - Travel Basic
Soft Bike Bag - Travel Plus
Soft Bike Bag - Travel Plus MTB
Soft Bike Bag - Travel Plus Triathlon
Pocket Bike Bag
Soft Bike Frame Travel Case
BMX Travel Bag

Can I Use an Evoc Case to Ship My Bike?

You can ship your bike using most EVOC bike travel bags; however, some EVOC bags are too large for our service.

EVOC cases you CAN ship with SendMyGear:

Bike Travel Bag Pro
Bike Travel Bag
Bike Travel Bag XL
BMX Travel Bag

EVOC cases you CANNOT ship with SendMyGear:

Road Bike Bag Pro (exceeds maximum allowed size)

Can I Use a Scicon Case to Ship My Bike?

We DO ship the following hard-sided case:

Scicon Aerotech Bike Case

We do NOT ship the following Scicon cases due to a high incidence of damage to both the bikes and the cases themselves:

Aerocomfort 3.0 Road Bike Travel Bag
Aerocomfort 3.0 Triathlon Bike Travel Bag
Aerocomfort MTN Bike Travel Bag
Aerocomfort Tandem Bike Travel Bag
Soft Bike Bag - Travel Basic
Soft Bike Bag - Travel Plus
Soft Bike Bag - Travel Plus MTB
Soft Bike Bag - Travel Plus Triathlon
Pocket Bike Bag
Soft Bike Frame Travel Case
BMX Travel Bag

Please note that our Premium Protection Plan applies only to the contents of a shipment, not to their containers (cases). Additionally, according to our Shipping Policy, all damage or loss claims are void if you did not use one of the cases listed in the drop-down menu on our website.

Bikes shipped in Scicon cases are typically damaged in one of three ways:

Tubes are subject to internal contact with the wheel hubs and/or other external objects through the case's soft padding.
Handlebars, which remain installed during transit, cannot withstand the lateral loads encountered during normal shipping conditions.
Axles, dropouts, and derailleurs are damaged due to the design of the mounting mechanism within these cases and/or because derailleurs are not removed prior to shipping.

The maximum size package that you can ship within the U.S. is 165 inches (419 cm) in combined length and girth, with no single dimension exceeding 108 inches (274 cm). Internationally, the maximum size is typically 157 inches (399 cm) or less, depending on the destination country.

How Do I Ship to or from a Bike Shop?

When booking your shipment, you can conveniently designate a Bike Shop as either the shipping destination or origin for your Bike by inputting its details into the Origin or Destination fields.

BE SURE TO CONTACT THE BIKE SHOP PRIOR TO BOOKING YOUR SHIPMENT TO ENSURE THEY CAN ACCOMODATE YOUR SHIPPING NEEDS LIKE PACKING, REBUILDING, OR TUNING YOUR GEAR.

When selecting a Bike Shop as your shipping point, it's essential to include YOUR first and last names, along with YOUR phone number. Providing your own phone number instead of the Bike Shop's facilitates easy communication between you and the Bike Shop staff upon your bike's arrival.

We recommend reaching out to the Bike Shop in advance to ensure they're willing to accept and hold your bike upon delivery. Most shops will build and tune your bike upon arrival for a fee. (This varies by shop, so be sure to get details if you want them to rebuild or pack your bike.)

How Do I Work with a Bike Shop to Pack and Ship My Bike?

Utilizing a Bike Shop for shipping streamlines the process, sparing you the need to handle Bike maintenance or acquire packing materials. Consider hiring a pro from the shop to expertly pack and assemble your Bike (if necessary) at both ends of the shipment. This not only saves time but also allows for a thorough safety check to identify any potential issues before your journey.

Here are some suggestions for collaborating with shops to facilitate Bike shipment:

Secure a Box or USE YOUR OWN TRAVEL CASE and avoid using a cardboard box all-together: The best place to grab a box is from a local bike shop. If you call ahead to the shop, they may have an extra box you can use, or can pack for you.

Booking Process: Some shops prefer to handle both packing and booking, while others may request that you handle the booking after they pack your Bike. The individual who makes the booking assumes responsibility for order accuracy, including dimensions, weight, and addresses, as well as ensuring proper packing. They will also act as the primary contact for SendMyGear, receiving labels and pickup confirmations.

Communication: Whether you or the shop handles the booking, clear communication about shipment details is essential before, during, and after shipping.

Who Should Pay for Shipping if I Buy a Bike Online?

Whether you are buying a bike second hand online, or sending it to a second hand retailer, we recommend booking your order and paying for the shipping label through your Send My Gear account.

To protect yourself from fraud, always keep your personal payment information private. Do not share payment details over the phone or via email with any business or third party.

Purchasing the shipping label directly through your Send My Gear account allows you to easily make changes, request refunds, and update your order. It also provides access to your order details and shipment status.

Communicate directly with the seller to obtain necessary information for booking your shipment, such as package dimensions, weight, and the date they can have the shipment ready. Then, log into your Send My Gear account, book your shipment, and pay using your preferred method. Be sure to forward the Send My Gear shipping label, ship date, and any pickup details to the seller so they can pack and prepare your bike or bike parts for timely shipping.

Who Should Pay for Shipping if I Have a Bike Shop Pack and Ship My Bike for Me?

We recommend that you handle booking the order and paying for the shipping label through your Send My Gear account.

To do this, communicate directly with the shop or individual packing your bike or bike parts. You will need information such as dimensions, weight, and the date they can have your shipment ready. Once you have this information, log into your Send My Gear account, book your shipment, and pay using your preferred personal payment method. Be sure to forward the Send My Gear shipping label via email, along with the ship date and any pickup details, to the shop or individual so they can pack and prepare your bike or bike parts for timely shipping.

To protect yourself from fraud, always keep your personal payment information private. Do not disclose payment information over the phone or via email to any business or third party.

Purchasing the shipping label directly through your Send My Gear account also allows you to easily make changes, request refunds, and update your order. Additionally, it provides access to your order details and shipment status within your account.

Is It Possible to Ship CO2 Cartridges?

No. Shipping Co2 Cartridges is Prohibited via Air. Since we cannot control whether our carrier partner ships via Air or Ground, we cannot allow the shipping of any C02 Cartridges. We recommend visiting the bike shop at your destination to get these items, along with any local riding info!

Check out our packing guides and videos HERE

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