Cardboard boxes for posting wheels.

[dan73uk]

If you need to post wheels -
who are you buying boxes from
Or where do you source them please?

A search online produces one company (bitex hubs UK) for wheel boxes, it's mainly just bike/frame ones.

I've read ( but not asked in my local branch yet) that Halfords used to provide/giveaway boxes but no longer do this.

Or is it a case of going into a LBS and obtaining some there ?

 

[Nob]

You local Supermarket for cardboard boxes

 

[bikeworkshop]

The best boxes for wheels are... wheel boxes.
We probably get 2 or 3 a week, but the logistics of storing them to pass on is a hassle, and anything we do needs to pay for its keep.

If customers want boxes and offer us something in advance to keep them out of the cardboard lake downstairs, we can often manage something.

Offer your lbs a packet of biscuits (chocolate hobnobs carry greater negotiating power than custard creams) to see if they can put one aside for you?

 

[gtturbo]

I just go a bit Blue Peter and generally get a box that is too big and cut it down to something a more suitable size. It's the same when posting frames. Worse case get a bike box and go from there. All my local Halfords seem glad to give them away. One tip I would give you is get an idea on what size it needs to be first and the postage cost and work from that. You will be surprised how a cm here and there can bump up the cost if your near the limits on size already.

 

[Tootyred]

Same...cut down bike boxes. Absolutely check sizes prior to building your box! Cost can really go up quickly if not.

 

[chickendrumsticks]

I've used supermarket fruit trays - the really sturdy ones - for posting mudguards safely. I guess they'll do for wheels too. Get about 6, some packing tape, loads of hot glue and a sharp knife.
You'll have to go the full Blue Peter (thanks gtturbo) on them but it's very satisfying to conjure something out of nothing. And you'll not need toilet roll tubes!

 

[bikeworkshop]

Wheels are pretty strong, if you have large cardboard you could just wrap them up, not bother with the box structure.
Although the courier quality makes a difference.

I think royal mail gets funny over 60cm, so 26 is good but 27.5 a challenge and 700 impossible.

I've never known RM break anything though.
I think anyone that did that got promoted to ParcelFarce


Above a certain value though, its worth a decent box.

 

[pigman]

Wheels are pretty strong, if you have large cardboard you could just wrap them up, not bother with the box structure.
Although the courier quality makes a difference.

I think royal mail gets funny over 60cm, so 26 is good but 27.5 a challenge and 700 impossible.

I've never known RM break anything though.
I think anyone that did that got promoted to ParcelFarce


Above a certain value though, its worth a decent box.

Courier quality is everything. I once bought a pair of rims off here, so flat with no lateral wheel structure. When they were delivered, the work receptionist called me to say the courier wanted a word. He asked me to open the box to check everything was ok cos the box had loads of footprints on it. To his credit he was ever so apologetic and embarrassed that this is how their parcels had been handled.
Yes, my rims were fine, cos they were flat, but had they been complete wheels in a makeshift cardboard mockup, I'm not sure how they'd have coped

 

[Foreigner]

As many has said before - bike box cut down to size or if lucky local LBS may have a wheel box or two. My advantage is access to UPS services via office as employees pay same price as company does - read cheap.
If rear and expensive I use pipe insulation round rims and add extra carboard on spindles, but wheels are tough buggers, just think what they have to go through when stuck on the bike...

 

[novocaine]

I order paper clip from Amazon. the box is normally more than big enough for a wheel. sometimes it's enough for a frame too.