Shipping my bicycle to a St Louis bike shop from San Francisco

[psemler]

I will be car driving for several weeks around St. Louis.  After we finish our car road trip, my wife will fly back to SF and I will commence to ride bike from Hartford IL to Pierre SD on the Lewis Clark route.
So, i need to ship my bike and some gear to St. Louis. I'd like to use bikeship.com

My question--Does anybody know best place to ship, given the logistics of the above. I thought maybe a bike shop in St. Louis. They might have have to hold the bike for some days since it would arrive on the early side. Then I thought, I'd have them put it together and do a tune up.

Any suggestions?

Also, any personal experience on the L&C let me know.

Thank you.

[indyfabz]

Shipping to LBSs is my standard practice these days. It's been my experience that they are happy to hold your box for you if you use them to assemble the bike. Just make sure you get on the schedule in plenty of time. Some shops can get very busy during certain times of the year.

Another option is REI. (There is one in St. Louis). I have used the Missoula REI as a ship/assemble destination twice and plan to use them again this June. Good price for the work. As with any shop, you will need to call and ask if they offer the service.

Finally, if you want to comparison shop for shipping, check out bikeflights.com

[psemler]

Thank you. I will consider using REI and also compare the shipping companies. I would prefer to use a bike shop so if anybody knows of one in the St Louis area I would appreciate it. I suppose I'm worried about contacting and coordinating with REI since it's so huge.

[Nyimbo]

One of my bikes (my touring bike) is an REI bike.  I have found that working with the bike shop inside of the REI store to be just like working with any other bicycle shop.  Just call the local REI store number and ask for the bicycle service person.  I don't think you will be overwhelmed at all.  That being said, many other local bike shops that you find will likely give you a good experience also.  Wherever you go just get  booked into their schedule in plenty of time.

[indyfabz]

I have found that working with the bike shop inside of the REI store to be just like working with any other bicycle shop.  Just call the local REI store number and ask for the bicycle service person.  I don't think you will be overwhelmed at all.

Same here, although the Missoula REI is the only one I have ever used and it might not be as bustling as one in a place like St. Luis. Then again, the last time I used them there were several bike shipping cases being stored, likely due to the fact that my tour dates were around the time of ACA's Cycle Montana.

And while it might not make a difference in the OP's case, another convenience of REI is that it's open later than many LBSs. When I flew out to MSO in 2014, my flight landed around 5:30--some 4 hrs. late. REI was open until 9 or 10 p.m. Had I used a LBS in town I never would have been able to pick up my bike that evening.

BTW...I always pen a note telling the shop what my plans are and giving them any special instructions (e.g., I will attach the racks myself) and drop it in the box.

[psemler]

Thank you everybody. I found out something I didn't know. If I drop my bike off at REI San Francisco. They will ship to St. Louis REI after I pay for postage estimate. St Louis REI --Thank you Paul, working in REI St. Louis for 9 years--will put it together without charge if  it comes from REI!If it comes via a shipper it would cost $70.

He also told me how to get out of St. Louis to the Katy Trail without car hassles.

Ten years ago I went4,000 miles  cross-country and joined adventure cyclying. Now I keep to 500-1000 per year. But Adventure Cycling is such a great resource. I met the folks last year in Missoula before I rode from there to Mt. Lassen in CA. It was like a pilgrimage. Thanks!