Terry,
In answer to your questions ;
> Should I recommend it be taken to a cycle shop for packing and/or
> shipping?
> If so, can you recommend one?
- Probably better packed by himself with the wheels off & the bars turned
in - with the proviso he uses pipe foam. Failing that tell him to take it to
Dales in Glasgow he'll probably have to go there for the box anyway.
> If not, are cartons available for frames and for wheels? I want the
> wheels
> boxed and shipped separately.
It'll add to the cost and increase the risk of seperation in transit sending
the wheels on their own. If packed with the pipe foam he should have no
problem. Get him to ask Dales for a box from a newly assembled 'Giant' -
thick boxes and very sturdy.
> Can you recommend a shop where cartons, fork braces, etc. can be gotten?
Dale's as above.
> Is foam pipe insulation or other packing material readily available there?
By the boatload at the local B&Q, Wickes, homebase et al... tell him to get
the stuff for 22mm and plenty of parcel tape.
> Is double boxing worth the effort or practical if I'm asking someone to
> scrounge hard to get boxes?
Pass - I've never done it, but always ensured that even with damaged
external packaging, the contents are wrapped enough to look after
themselves.
> Is the Royal Post most convenient and affordable? Do they handle packages
> this large and does the hand-off to the US Post work?
Make sure he doesn't send it basic parcels - it takes weeks and weeks and some. I'm sure it's the International Standard service I've used in he past - eight days to the US plus some more for internal US shipping.
Now my turn - Is it a Flying Scot ?
Bob Reid Stonehaven Scotland
http://www.flying-scot.co.uk (mapped)