Marc,
Whenever I have need to ship a set of traditional drop-style handlebars, I first entomb them in thin bubble wrap and tape. Next, I grab a couple (...as in two) USPS Priority Mail "Shoe Boxes" (...having previously procured same for free from either my local Post Office or online through http://www.USPS.com) as seen here:
http://shop.usps.com/
Take the first cardboard box, fold it into its basic shape, then assemble ONE-AND-ONLY-ONE end, and tape it firmly into place. Moving to the unassembled end of the box, leave the four flaps in an extended position. Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut a fillet from each of the four flaps approximately one-quarter inch in from the outside edge angling thereafter toward the perimeter of the main body of the box itself. Having prepared the first box such, now take the second cardboard "Shoe Box" and cut it in half through its middle while it is still in an unassembled and otherwise flat state. Fold the resulting "half a box" into shape and assemble the one remaining end which should now be taped into place. Insert the pre-wrapped handlebars fully into the larger of the two boxes. This should leave only a small portion of those handlebars extending upward through the open end of the larger box. Now take the smaller of the two boxes and slide it over the open end of the larger one until its sealed end comes to rest on the previously exposed end of the handlebars. Finally, secure the two sections of boxes together using copious quantities of packaging tape. Assuming that you intend to use USPS Priority Mail service, you are "good to go" after adding an appropriate mailing label. On the other hand, should you be using a carrier other than USPS, or if you are utilizing a service other than Priority Mail, you will need to wrap the entire parcel in brown paper prior to adding that oh so necessary mailing label.
While I have not shipped anywhere near as many handlebars as Hilary, I have posted maybe a dozen or so to various places all around the world using the aforementioned process and I have never once had a problem.
Robert "celebrating Boxing Day a tad early this year" Broderick ..the "Frozen Flatlands" of South Dakota Sioux Falls, USA
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Marc St Martin Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 7:57 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Packing Handlebars
Hello,
I just sold a few on-topic handlebars and was wanting to know how folks go about shipping them! I have seen special handlebar boxes which I can try to scrounge around the dumpster at my LBS, but do any of you have a better way? These seem as ungainly to ship as wheels.
Thanks,
Marc St. Martin
Livermore, California
USA