Shipping A Seatpost

[93legendti]

I never thought to do this, but I was just shipped a carbon seatpost, wrapped in a small plastic bag, and shipped in a USPS tyvek bag. These days I'd ship a seatpost wrapped in bubble wrap, or other protective packing, and in a box. This post was shipped with no padding and no protection.

How do you ship a seatpost?

[Joachim]

Bubblewrap inside a box, then fill the empty spaces with paper..

[buldogge]

I just got the same thing from an ebay seller (including missing hardware to boot!). I like to use a cardboard tube, or make a square tube from a cut-down box, bubble wrap inside.

-Mark in St. Louis

I never thought to do this, but I was just shipped a carbon seatpost, wrapped in a small plastic bag, and shipped in a USPS tyvek bag. These days I'd ship a seatpost wrapped in bubble wrap, or other protective packing, and in a box. This post was shipped with no padding and no protection.

How do you ship a seatpost?

[pdmtong]

Bubblewrap inside a box, then fill the empty spaces with paper..

+1, whether metal or carbon

[vqdriver]

bubble wrapped in a shipping tube works well.
the tubes are all over the place once you start looking for them. movie theatres have a lot of them lying around from receiving the movie posters. as well as pretty much any place that gets maps or other big posters, AAA, design firms, maybe even bike shops. they're long but easy to cut down to size and have the endcaps if you ask.

otherwise, i take a cardboard box and cut it down. then fold into a triangle cross section and use packing tape to hold it together. this is crazy strong.

[93legendti]

Ok, thanks. After getting this seatpost, I thought maybe I was a paranoid packer, but I see I am in the majority.

I'm kinda pissed how it was shipped.

[John M]

I got a rear derailleur in one of those USPS document envelopes once from an eBay purchase. No padding, bubble wrap, etc.... Just the RD (and the dirt from the prior owners last ride with it).

I always ship parts in sturdy box, properly padded and protected on the inside.

[eddief]

my worst box opening was when i got the carbon Roubaix from an ebay seller. just a frame box, the frame, and some loose newswpaper thrown in the box for good measure. my heart sank, then it turned ok, and now...well you know the rest of the story.

[93legendti]

my worst box opening was when i got the carbon Roubaix from an ebay seller. just a frame box, the frame, and some loose newswpaper thrown in the box for good measure. my heart sank, then it turned ok, and now...well you know the rest of the story.

Actually, I don't recall the end of the story-did the bike work out for you?

[eddief]

the Roubaix does it all good for me. it fits, it's light, and it goes. so do the rex and the curtlo, but the roubaix is about 4 lbs lighter and seems to eat chip seal and lets me climb more easily. of all the many over the last 10 years, the roubaix is at the top of the list for the pure joy of getting on it. not looking at it so much, but riding the damn thing is sweet.

Actually, I don't recall the end of the story-did the bike work out for you?

[93legendti]

the Roubaix does it all good for me. it fits, it's light, and it goes. so do the rex and the curtlo, but the roubaix is about 4 lbs lighter and seems to eat chip seal and lets me climb more easily. of all the many over the last 10 years, the roubaix is at the top of the list for the pure joy of getting on it. not looking at it so much, but riding the damn thing is sweet.

Cool. Good to know. That bike hasn't been in my radar....now, you never you know...

[split]

I once received a carbon seatpost packed in a popsicle box with plastic bags. Not even a real cardboard box, but the really thin 'thick paper' type boxes.

Granted, the part made the journey fine but still!! The price you pay for used parts I guess.

[dave thompson]

Cool. Good to know. That bike hasn't been in my radar....now, you never you know...

A Roubaix wasn't on my radar either until I rode a buddys. I bought his frame set.

[wai2fast]

I have a seatpost (350mm long) to sell eventually (and ship eventually), but getting a box that's "just right" hasn't been easy. Most boxes are either too small or WAY too big. I was thinking of snagging one of those boxes that whiskey bottles come in and stuffing that with the post and bubble wrap. That might be sturdy enough.

[93legendti]

A Roubaix wasn't on my radar either until I rode a buddys. I bought his frame set.

Have you posted a pic yet in the image gallery? I usually catch your new bike threads, but I don't recall seeing one re a Roubaix

[93legendti]

I have a seatpost (350mm long) to sell eventually (and ship eventually), but getting a box that's "just right" hasn't been easy. Most boxes are either too small or WAY too big. I was thinking of snagging one of those boxes that whiskey bottles come in and stuffing that with the post and bubble wrap. That might be sturdy enough.

You could cut down a fork box and use that. USPS and Fed Ex have tubes you can use...

[pdmtong]

I have a seatpost (350mm long) to sell eventually (and ship eventually), but getting a box that's "just right" hasn't been easy. Most boxes are either too small or WAY too big. I was thinking of snagging one of those boxes that whiskey bottles come in and stuffing that with the post and bubble wrap. That might be sturdy enough.

Get two boxes
cut each in half or cut 1/3 - 2/3s.
Put the halves together. Overlap so one slides into the other
slide until you get the fit you like.
Tape up
done

[dave thompson]

You can make you own box to ship a seatpost quite easily. Please excuse the somewhat sloppy box and tape job as I did it very quickly today so I could post it here.

Find a piece of cardboard the correct length.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4518/box1v.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/215/box1v.jpg/)

Wrap the seatpost in bubblewrap so it's nice a fat and won't move around inside your box. Lightly score the cardboard with a knife/boxcutter/whatever, this will allow it to crease evenly the right width at each fold. (I drew the black lines to represent the scores. (the last line on the left is where I trimmed the cardboard to its overall width) Bend the cardboard at each score away from the cutline which will form a triangle box.


http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9203/box2b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/195/box2b.jpg/)

Angle cut the 3 cardboard sides so they can be folded inward to form the ends. Almost like wrapping a Christmas present!

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2853/box3p.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/box3p.jpg/)

Securely tape the ends shut making sure that the seatpost is not rattling around inside. I also tape along the cutlines but I'm fussy about making sure that whatever I send arrives in the best shape. Mail!

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9115/box4y.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/441/box4y.jpg/)

[eddief]

just curious.

[QUOTE=dave thompson;1127750]You can make you own box to ship a seatpost quite easily. Please excuse the somewhat sloppy box and tape job as I did it very quickly today so I could post it here.

Find a piece of cardboard the correct length.

Wrap the seatpost in bubblewrap so it's nice a fat and won't move around inside your box. Lightly score the cardboard with a knife/boxcutter/whatever, this will allow it to crease evenly the right width at each fold. (I drew the black lines to represent the scores. (the last line on the left is where I trimmed the cardboard to its overall width) Bend the cardboard at each score away from the cutline which will form a triangle box.


Angle cut the 3 cardboard sides so they can be folded inward to form the ends. Almost like wrapping a Christmas present!

Securely tape the ends shut making sure that the seatpost is not rattling around inside. I also tape along the cutlines but I'm fussy about making sure that whatever I send arrives in the best shape. Mail!

[93legendti]

You can make you own box to ship a seatpost quite easily. Please excuse the somewhat sloppy box and tape job as I did it very quickly today so I could post it here.

Find a piece of cardboard the correct length.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4518/box1v.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/215/box1v.jpg/)

Wrap the seatpost in bubblewrap so it's nice a fat and won't move around inside your box. Lightly score the cardboard with a knife/boxcutter/whatever, this will allow it to crease evenly the right width at each fold. (I drew the black lines to represent the scores. (the last line on the left is where I trimmed the cardboard to its overall width) Bend the cardboard at each score away from the cutline which will form a triangle box.


http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9203/box2b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/195/box2b.jpg/)

Angle cut the 3 cardboard sides so they can be folded inward to form the ends. Almost like wrapping a Christmas present!

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2853/box3p.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/box3p.jpg/)

Securely tape the ends shut making sure that the seatpost is not rattling around inside. I also tape along the cutlines but I'm fussy about making sure that whatever I send arrives in the best shape. Mail!

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9115/box4y.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/441/box4y.jpg/)
Thanks. I hope the forumite who shipped me the post in a bag will take notes.

[DHallerman]

You can make you own box to ship a seatpost quite easily. Please excuse the somewhat sloppy box and tape job as I did it very quickly today so I could post it here.

Find a piece of cardboard the correct length.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4518/box1v.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/215/box1v.jpg/)

AND MORE AND MORE PHOTOS AND STEPS...


Wow. Waaay too much work.

A Priority Mail box like this is free, easy, and fits nearly any seatpost:
https://store.usps.com/media/images/products/store/O-1095-01-main-900x695.jpg

Wrap the post in bubble wrap, and fill the rest of the box with crumbled paper or more bubble wrap.

Plenty of protection, and you're done in about 5 minutes.

Dave, who says that USPS shipping for an item the size and weight of a seatpost tends to be least costly too

[cat6]

Hayrick Island (68°42′S 67°32′WCoordinates: 68°42′S 67°32′W) is a small prominent rock mass, more than 150 metres (500 ft) high, between Lodge Rock and Twig Rock in the Terra Firma Islands, off the west coast of Graham Land, Antarctica.

[dave thompson]

Wow. Waaay too much work.

A Priority Mail box like this is free, easy, and fits nearly any seatpost:

Wrap the post in bubble wrap, and fill the rest of the box with crumbled paper or more bubble wrap.

Plenty of protection, and you're done in about 5 minutes.

Dave, who says that USPS shipping for an item the size and weight of a seatpost tends to be least costly too

Takes less than 5 minutes to make and pack a box like mine. Costs far less to ship than Priority and only takes a day or two longer via Parcel Post. Plus everyone has cardboard. I ship a fair bit of stuff and easier is cheaper usually.

It took me longer to write my post that it would to make the box!

[DHallerman]

Takes less than 5 minutes to make and pack a box like mine.

For you. I'm horrible at Arts & Crafts.

Costs far less to ship than Priority and only takes a day or two longer via Parcel Post.

Actually, looking up prices -- and of course distance matters -- the USPS has made Priority very competitive with its other services.

I kind of figure, when selling bike parts, that offering Priority as part of the deal is something most buyers seem to appreciate.

[beeatnik]

The girl at the UPS store reminded me that USPS doesn't do freight and even the largest package they'll ship has a pretty low weight limit. In my neighborhood, one carrier delivers standard mail and another larger packages. Either way, something in an envelope will be delivered with standard mail and rarely under stress. But I guess someone could drop or step on a fragile item...

[pdmtong]

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u141/lukerulz/74470eed.jpg

potd! Rotflmao!

[thinpin]

I never thought to do this, but I was just shipped a carbon seatpost, wrapped in a small plastic bag, and shipped in a USPS tyvek bag. These days I'd ship a seatpost wrapped in bubble wrap, or other protective packing, and in a box. This post was shipped with no padding and no protection.

How do you ship a seatpost?

Pack the tube with plastic explosive of choice (security agencies can relax here, nothing sinister). Attach garmin 500 loaded with destination coordinates to outside. Plant in backyard pointing in general direct of recipient and light the touch paper. Stand back. Wait for feedback.

[93legendti]

The seller has refunded my money. I will be shipping in a cardboard box i have from Ibex and the post will be wrapped in bubble wrap.

Thanks guys.

[LouDeeter]

I have used liquor boxes, particularly the round ones, to ship. USPS will not accept a liquor box that has the liquor brand showing, so you have to wrap it with paper. The reason for shipping something in an envelope is that it is cheaper, particularly if less than the weight to keep it first class. Once you go to a box, prices go up. Even parcel post has gotten to be more expensive. Still, some type of minimal padding needs to be done for a part that is in nice condition to start with and prone to damage.

[Grant McLean]

After getting this seatpost, I thought maybe I was a paranoid packer, but I see I am in the majority.

I'm kinda pissed how it was shipped.


What damage was done to the post?

-g

[chuckroast]

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u141/lukerulz/74470eed.jpg

That better be a darn nice seatpost!

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

The girl at the UPS store reminded me that USPS doesn't do freight and even the largest package they'll ship has a pretty low weight limit. In my neighborhood, one carrier delivers standard mail and another larger packages. Either way, something in an envelope will be delivered with standard mail and rarely under stress. But I guess someone could drop or step on a fragile item...

+1. I have shipped everything from a crankset on down, size wise in a tyvek soft envelope, via USPS Priority. Never, ever have had a damage claim or other problem, as many folks I've sold and shipped stuff too can attest. Two things. First off, I pack it like it's going to Mars. Second, even if it's going 3K miles (CONUS), Priority is very quick. 3 days to CA from CT, most times 1-2 days. Not a lot of time in USPS's possession, less chance of damage the less time they actually have the package.

[fade]

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u141/lukerulz/74470eed.jpg

what a treatment for the seatposts!!

[93legendti]

+1. I have shipped everything from a crankset on down, size wise in a tyvek soft envelope, via USPS Priority. Never, ever have had a damage claim or other problem, as many folks I've sold and shipped stuff too can attest. Two things. First off, I pack it like it's going to Mars...
But, you don't throw the item in the tyvek soft envelope without any padding/packing, like my seller, right?

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

But, you don't throw the item in the tyvek soft envelope without any padding/packing, like my seller, right?

"I pack it like it's going to Mars..."

[Likes2ridefar]

What damage was done to the post?

-g

none.