RE: [CR]UPS Shipping

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 14:15:52 -0500 (EST)
From: "Brandon Ives" <monkey37@bluemarble.net>
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]UPS Shipping
In-Reply-To: <256D3BBC391CD311896600805F9F4C020C0EBA35@mlnt1s.imf.org>


Since I started this thread and people kept asking how my frame got so heavy, I'll tell you. It did include some parts but to start with I used one of the very rare double thick walled boxes. This box had been beat from having been shipped back and forth around the US a bunch of times, so the first trick is to fix any problems. These boxes with patches are still better than 99% of the frame boxes out there right now. The next thing to do is NOT use those stupid plastic dropout protectors, unless you tape them to the fork they'll fall out under heavy abuse. Take a piece of cardboard the same width of the box and fold it over the front and back of the fork legs. This makes a huge protector for the fork. Now do the same with the rearend. These pieces should be at least 2' long to start with. People also keep talking about reinforcing the corners but it's really not that important. What's really important is reinforcing the center of the box since the most damage happens when the shippers lay it on its side and pile stuff on top. Lastly is to make sure NOTHING moves as you roll the box around the living room and pick it up and drop it from waist height. If you hear things rattling around you know you need to go back in and set things differently. I've never had a problem (knock on wood) with any bike or frame I've ever shipped, I'm sure someday I will. When that happens I'll know what they did to destroy my boxing job. Oh, also make sure to write in large bold letters THIS SIDE UP and have lots of arrows. Anyway, someday I'll put up a webpage of how to box a bike or frame. The key is to do your best and expect the worst. enjoy, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives

"Nobody can do everything, but if everybody did something everything would get done." Gil Scott-Heron