FWIW, for shipping whole bikes and frames, I've found BikeFlights to be hands down the best way to go.
Here is my just-riding-around / winter bike / cheap bike / beater / etc. bike, a Raleigh One Way. I love riding this! I don't think I've got more than about $500 in it. Maintenance is oiling the chain every couple of weeks, replacing the chain once a year and brake pads twice a year. I tear it down and rebuild it once a year (winter is hard on a bike). I haven't washed it since November.
