So you sold your bike to The Pro's Closet. Wonderful! Now it is time to get it packed up and shipped off. If you've never boxed up a bike before, don't worry. This video will help you through the basic steps of the process. We're demonstrating with a mountain bike, but note that the same directions apply to practically any other bike — road, gravel, cyclocross, and more. Also, we've included further tips and suggestions below.
IMPORTANT: Nothing should be loose in the box. When in doubt, add more padding!
More tips to box up your bike
Separate your accessories
If you're shipping a bike to The Pro's Closet, remove the accessories included in your bike offer and put them in a separate box or bag. Tape this to the inside of your box so it doesn't cause any damage to your bike during shipping. If you have electronic shifting this will include the charger and batteries. If you are selling an e-bike this will include your e-bike charger, keys, and all other parts necessary for the bike to function.
Frame and fork
Protect your bike frame from any rubbing or direct contact with the box, front wheel, or handlebars. Chances are, your frame is carbon fiber, and we'd hate to see it damaged in transit. Use foam padding liberally and make sure it's securely attached to your frame.
Drivetrain
Shift into the easiest gear combination front and rear before you begin prepping your bike for shipping. This moves the derailleurs out of harm's way. It's usually best to remove the rear derailleur, pad it thoroughly, and secure it to your frame with plenty of padding separating derailleur from frame. This protects both your derailleur and derailleur hanger from impacts.
Front wheel
You must remove the front wheel to fit your bike in the box. It is crucial to make sure the front wheel is secured to the frame with padding at every contact point to protect the frame. Damage in shipping often occurs when the front wheel's hub contacts the frame. Position your wheel with the hub away from your frame's down tube. Use a plastic end cap on your hub to prevent it from breaking though the side of the box.
Handlebars
As is the case with your front wheel, your handlebars must be secured to the frame with ample padding. Try a few different orientations to keep the shifters and brake levers away from the side of the box. You might need to add padding to protect them.
Seatpost
All seatposts must be removed and secured to the rear wheel for shipping. If you have a cable-actuated dropper seatpost, you may need to remove its lever from your bars to give the cable more slack. If you cannot untether the dropper post cable, you might have to secure the post at the top of your rear wheel.
Keep it tight!
Above all, you don't want any part of your bike to be loose or rattling. This will lead to damage. Use zip ties and padding to secure everything.