Shipping my Turbo Vado 5 to Ft. Lauderdale from NJ-Questions

[GuruUno]

Considering flying in the next month or 2 to Floriday for a month rather than drive.
Considering taking my Vado 5 and was looking online to compare options.

I see these 2:

The Best Lowest Bicycle Shipping in America and Worldwide | ShipBikes

Shipbikes.com is the best safest, most advanced system for shipping bicycles in the world. We offer bicycle boxes and affordable shipping worldwide.

www.shipbikes.com

Bicycle Shipping Service - Bike Shipping Boxes - Best Way to Ship a Bike - Bikeflights.com

Bikeflights.com is a bicycle shipping service. You get fast delivery, great prices and excellent service with every shipment per our Best Way Guarantee.

www.bikeflights.com

Any first-hand experiences as to which 'package' is worth shipping, experiences of good, bad or ugly?
To me, it looks like a few hundred bucks to buy the box, packing, tracking, etc., + freight.

 

[PedalUma]

You must find a certified shipper for the battery of the Vado 5.0. It helps if you have the original box and packing materials of the battery, but you most likely do not. Your dealer might have one. The battery will be shipped by UPS ground by the certified shipper. It must be discharged, off and in a plastic bag. Then cushioned and boxed and labeled with a regulation Li warning tag. Use Bike Flights for the bike.
I cannot remember if the 5.0 has a USB port. I do not think it does but if so run a USB fan off it to take down the battery to 20% for shipping.
See if someone will loan you one or another eBike there in FL while they are on vacation elsewhere. You will save a ton in time, money, and headaches such as delays, loss or damage.

 

[6zfshdb]

Consider renting or leasing a bike in Ft Lauderdale. Unless you plan to ride all day every day, it could be cheaper than shipping yours.

 

[GuruUno]

I tied to do that 2+ years ago, there are NO Vado's, Allant's, or ANY "quality" e-bikes for me to rent there.
The last time I was in Clearwater Florida, I did rent a Como, which was perfect.
Nothing available in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

 

[PedalUma]

If you have friends and relations in Ft. Lauderdale that would be supper helpful. If you add up shipping costs and risks roundtrip or add up rental fees (if you could rent a Vado 5.0) that might be enough to buy a bike you like there and have a friend resell it when you depart. The loss being less than a rental. Or take the Vado on Amtrak from Trenton to Orlando and rent a car there for the three-hour drive down I-95. If you do this have a local bike shop pack it for you with the battery removed.

 

[Marci jo]

I'm curious what the big name shippers, UPS and FedEx quoted you? I'm thinking they have tons of experience with bikes, and more importantly big fat rechargeable batteries.

 

[GuruUno]

It is my understanding that e-bikes can be shipped with their batteries intact if shipped/installed with the bike. I'm sure others who may have done it will chime in.

 

[PedalUma]

I am thinking that say on Amtrak not having the battery would make the bike feel more like just a regular bike to handlers or thieves and less like a valuable electric bike. Just take the battery in luggage. It would also be much more difficult for a criminal to try to sell a stolen Vado 5.0 without the battery and charger.
I saw a Yamaha mid-drive for sale in Pompano Beach. Buy used local, sell used local = save money.