Posting a bike abroad

Jimfrandisco
Jimfrandisco Posts: 210
edited December 2009 in Tour & expedition
Hi - We're cycling around NZ in February but stopping at a few places on the way there so flying with our bikes isn't an option. Does anyone have any experience of posting/shipping their bikes overseas so that they're there when they arrive?
We have friends in NZ so could post the bikes ahead to their home but wonder if it's feasible?

Any thoughts - thanks

Jim

Comments

  • andrew@snowrace
    andrew@snowrace Posts: 129
    UPS probably the best have used for skis and bikes. Not the cheapest though. Andy
    Training for the Cycle to Spain and the Quebrantahuesos
    www.seeyouinspain.co.uk
  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    There are companies who specialise in the backpacker market - eg http://www.excess-baggage.com/

    Might be worth checking in the small ads of the magazines for Australian/Kiwi expats? (No doubt there's a forum somewhere for Kiwi expats).
    Italy Cycling Guide
  • Ands
    Ands Posts: 1,437
    andymiller wrote:
    (No doubt there's a forum somewhere for Kiwi expats).
    http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=83 :)
    Cannondale Six Carbon
  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    I was thinking about Kiwis living over here, but I guess the reverse direction would work as well.
    Italy Cycling Guide
  • Ands
    Ands Posts: 1,437
    The British Expats forum is full of people about to emigrate/relocate, as well as the ones already there so there are usually heaps of threads about shipping.

    When I moved to Australia I shipped things using a shared container - you pay per cubic metre, which is ideal if you are shipping a small amount of stuff. That is essentialy what the excessbaggage.com company do but many shipping companies will offer the same service so best to shop around for prices.

    Always worth asking people who've done it because some shipping and removal companies have shocking reputations!
    Cannondale Six Carbon
  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    Ands wrote:
    Always worth asking people who've done it because some shipping and removal companies have shocking reputations!

    Absolutely. My post wasn't meant to sound like a criticism. Honest.
    Italy Cycling Guide
  • Ands
    Ands Posts: 1,437
    andymiller wrote:
    Ands wrote:
    Absolutely. My post wasn't meant to sound like a criticism. Honest.
    Didn't take it as such! :D

    OP - if you are thinking of shipping sea freight in time for Feb then bear in mind that your goods could be in transit for 4-6 weeks.
    Cannondale Six Carbon
  • johny c
    johny c Posts: 256
    Jim,

    I don't know how much progress you've made, but here's my tuppence worth. My daughter went to nz a year ago and once she got settled in the south island, asked me to send her mountain bike out to her. I went through the same as you, looking up online, asking on forums, etc, but couldn't get round the basic problem which was that the postage was going to cost nearly as much as the bike was then worth.

    Recently a friend of mine flew down to Hamilton, north island, where he's working in a bike shop. He flew Emirates from Glasgow and only took his track bike with him (he competes in world masters) because of the excess baggage cost of bringing anything else. (I think it was something like £35 per kilo, but not sure)

    In the end I couldn't have my baby girl without her bike, so I sent her a few hundred quid and she bought one from Chainreaction in Christchurch (who were very helpful) unless your own bike is worth a lot of money, it might be easier/cheaper to pick up a bike down there and punt it before you come home?
    Johny

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