Couriering an e-bike to france for a holiday
Couriering an e-bike to france for a holiday
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Discussion

andygo

Original Poster:

7,372 posts

283 months

My wife and I are likely to buy a couple of e-bikes this week. We are going on hols to France for 10 days for a short holiday and fancy taking the bikes bit cannot due to the size of my car.

I thought about couriering them over, any body done similar and how did you do it?

This company seemed to quote about £50 each return, Given that last time we hired 2 clunker e bikes for £35 per day, it seems like much better value given the trails that are there.

https://www.sendmybag.com/quote/

ahelaborate

20 posts

15 months

I'd be amazed if you can ship an ebike to France for £50 return. You would also need to check they accept batteries and if there are any customs charges.

pteron

451 posts

199 months

You might find that they won't take the battery

Rosscow

9,662 posts

191 months

Can't you just buy a 2 bike carrier for the car?

fooman

1,188 posts

92 months

No way you can ship a bike for that, they quote about £60 round-trip for a regular 20kg box though they say it'll take a week, you'll need a custom quote for a bike it'll be volumetric probably 100kg equivalent so more like £300 return or 3 to 4x that amount if you want it in a day or two. And that's before the customs problems you'll no doubt encounter, proving it's not a commercial transaction in both directions. In short, don't.

ALawson

8,052 posts

279 months

Why don’t you hold off on buying and just hire probably not a lot in it? Mate couriered his road bike for La Marmotte but that was a chap with a transit and about £300k of road bikes in the back for a specific event. Some were damaged.

I’ve seen plenty of cars with them slung on the back or on roof racks.

Then again 15hrs in the car takes the edge of a weeks holiday.

Ziplobb

1,591 posts

312 months

My son has looked into courier for bikes to Europe and it was never as cheap as that - that for non E too. The other thing is what happens if it turns up damaged ? its a PITA he always hires now - get a problem get another bike

POIDH

3,590 posts

93 months

Go by train and take them?
Rent a bigger car?
Rent bikes there?

All will be cheaper than shipping out there.....

Bill

58,331 posts

283 months

POIDH said:
Go by train and take them?
Rent a bigger car?
Rent bikes there?

All will be cheaper than shipping out there.....
idea Or cycle!!?!?

andygo

Original Poster:

7,372 posts

283 months

Hmm.

Batteries are no problem, they can go in the car.

We are driving down in my Porsche Cayman. That's not getting bikes hung off it and it's a big part of the fun driving down in that car.

Tried hiring e -bikes earlier this year and to be fair, they were a bit pants and clunky. Where we stay is very rural, although for the last couple of years easy to spectate on the TDF, so very well placed.

It was just an idea, thanks everyone for all the positive ideas lol.. smile