Shipping a cheap-ass bicycle cheaply?

[CZroe]

Before I left GA, I bought a "Magna" brand multi-speed bike from Goodwill for $15, brand new. It looks like it's only $80 new at Target, so it's about as cheap as they come. It was donated from a store because the front wheel was warped. They didn't sell me the front wheel ($20) and the alternate-grip bar-ends were missing ($10), so it came to $45 + tax total. I bought a helmet but never got around to adjusting the chain so I could ride it before I rode my motorcycle cross-country to move to San Diego, CA.

It's still in GA with my brother. How can I get it shipped cheaply without coming dangerously close to the total startup cost of just buying it new ($45 + whatever shipping costs)? My brother doesn't seem interested in using it and I would like to start cheaply before moving up to something better when I can afford it. I think his attitude may change in a year and he does live within biking range of his employer so, ultimately, it may be better to leave it with him.

 

[Kelvrick]

Go to craigslist. Buy a new working one for like 40 bucks. Everyone wins.

 

[TridenT]

Forget it. Tell your brother to sell it and get a new one.

You can't ship it for less than $60, I bet.

I got overnight shipping from amazon on a bike for $3.99 though. Pretty sweet... HEHE

 

[DayLaPaul]

Seriously, sell it for whatever you can get on craigslist, then buy a new bike in your new location. The difference in price would probably be cheaper than it costs to ship it.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: DayLaPaul
Seriously, sell it for whatever you can get on craigslist, then buy a new bike in your new location. The difference in price would probably be cheaper than it costs to ship it.

This

 

[thedarkwolf]

Cost me $70 each to get both my bikes shipped when I bought them. Good luck.

 

[tallest1]

Wow, my bike seat costs more than that thing! I'd have that bike tossed in a dumpster and then buy a new one where you're at. I don't understand how you can afford a cross-country motorcycle ride but not a super-cheapo bicycle....

 

[0roo0roo]

yea not worth shipping. no matter how u cut it ..thats a big heavy and ungainly thing to ship. $$$

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: tallest1
Wow, my bike seat costs more than that thing!

Heh..same here.

OP, I would Craigslist the bike or simply forget about having it shipped. Not worth the money to ship that bike. If money is indeed tight but want to start on a cheap bike check out bikesdirect.com. Don't go too cheap or you'll be constantly having to adjust your components. Also check out a seller on eBay called sprtymama. She's a relative to the people who run Bikesdirect. Sometimes her prices are cheaper than Bikesdirect.

 

[FleshLight]

It will cost you $30-50 for your LBS to pack it in one of those compact Cannondale boxes and ~$20 to ship it.

 

[CZroe]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. My brother actually came out to visit and stupidly didn't bring it, but he's not likely to try that again any time soon (ever?).

Originally posted by: tallest1
Wow, my bike seat costs more than that thing! I'd have that bike tossed in a dumpster and then buy a new one where you're at. I don't understand how you can afford a cross-country motorcycle ride but not a super-cheapo bicycle....

It wasn't a "ride." I moved cross-country the cheapest way possible. I needed new, reliable transportation. The motorcycle was $3,500 new and gets 61MPG. I spent everything I had to buy it and gear up with cash. I would not have been able to afford to move WITHOUT the motorcycle as a car would have cost far more up front and going forward.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Thanks for the advice, everyone. My brother actually came out to visit and stupidly didn't bring it, but he's not likely to try that again any time soon (ever?).

You should have told your brother to ride the bike to you. You'd have gotten free shipping, and he'd have gotten some quality exercise ;^)

 

[Taejin]

Shipping a cheap ass-bicycle cheaply?