What is the cheapest way of getting my bike to Germany?

February 7, 2011 6:17 AM

What is the cheapest way of getting my bike to Germany?

I want to send my bicycle from the UK, to Germany. The cheapest courier I've found so far is £120. This seems quite expensive to me.

Speed is not of the essence; I don't care if it takes a couple of weeks, or even a month, to get there. Just as long as it gets there eventually!

My bike is well-packaged in a cardboard bike box and ready to go.
The bike weighs 10.06kg, but with the box, some tools etc. I guess the package weighs 12-13kg.

Can you recommend a good cheap courier, or suggest any other solutions?

posted by jonesor to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

Best answer: Ride it there! (or if you decide not to Lance it, these guys have pretty fair prices to the continent).
posted by nickrussell at 6:38 AM on February 7, 2011

Put the bike together, Ferry to Rotterdam, on the train in Holland to the German border (Enschede?) Train ticket for your bike is actually cheaper than yours (€7 I think)

Or you could just ride it across Holland ... the country is flat!
posted by jannw at 6:58 AM on February 7, 2011

A little more information might be good! The above options are both pretty good if you are able to accompany your bike. If you can't, do you have any young adventurous friends or relatives who wouldn't mind you underwriting their holidays a wee bit?
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 2:43 PM on February 7, 2011

Response by poster: The bike will need to travel alone. I already have flights booked and can't take the bike with me on them for logistical reasons this time.

Although I said that time to delivery isn't all that important, I'd rather take a holiday with my girlfriend rather spend that time cycling across Europe on my own (it could be fun though). I think the couriers that nickrussell pointed me at will be the best way, especially given the cost of train tickets in the UK and Germany.
posted by jonesor at 3:26 PM on February 7, 2011

Best answer: I would avoid the carrier nickrussell suggests, they have a terrible reputation. WPS quote c.£90 to Germany. I have used them before and they are solid.
posted by Dr.Pill at 4:42 PM on February 7, 2011

Another option is to convert your bicycle to currency, fly to Germany and then re-convert the currency to an equivalent bicycle. This only works if the exchange rates are favorable and your current bicycle has depreciated less than the cost of the courier.

It might not be an option if the bicycle has sentimental value, represents a significant effort in customization or is irreplaceable outside of the UK.
posted by Jeff Howard at 6:41 AM on February 8, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks Dr. Pill! I sent it with WPS. They picked it up on a Friday and it arrived in the morning of the following Wednesday. All for about £70 including tax and insurance. Much better than negotiating airports and trains with it myself I think.
posted by jonesor at 12:22 PM on March 9, 2011