S & S couplings

[mimbresman]

All bikes should have them or at least have a way to fold for travel...

In about 30 minutes, bike fits in a 26" x 26" x 10" case and vise-a-versa.

Bike goes on a plane, bus, or trunk of a small car with ease.
Bike travels no charge to...
-USA to Venezuela
- eastern Venezuela to Venezuela Andes and back
-Venezuela to USA
-USA to Scotland
-Scotland to USA
-USA to Venezuela
- eastern Venezuela to central Venezuelan mountains and back

S & S couplings are bad ass!

[davkatreb]

(Jumping up and down like compleat idiot and waving hand in the air)

Hey mims, guess what? Surly just came out with the bestest, most do-anythingest bike EVER, the Crosscheck, with S&S couplers. They're calling it The Traveler's Check. How cool is that? No more bikeless vacations.*

And f*cking A I want one!

*If I'm only allowed one suitcase I reckon I can travel in my riding kit and squeeze a change of clothes and a toothbrush in with the bike.**

**Screw it. Wherever I'm going I bet they sell toothbrushes.***

***and changes of clothes.****

****YEEEE-HAW!*****

*****Mmmmmm Bourbon.

[mimbresman]

I brought back two (padded) bottles of single malt (tasty) tucked in the between the stays of the Litespeed when coming back from Scotland. Still no charge! How cool is that!
I carried my kit in a Wal-Mart backpack. Carry on luggage. Good to go!
Dav, Its cool to carry a bike in a "suitcase!" The reason I got mine was like you said, "No more bikeless vacations!"

[davkatreb]

The reason I got mine was like you said, "No more bikeless vacations!"
Yeah, f*ck that sh!t. Never again. The wife and kid want to pull that crap on me again, let 'em have all the beach they want. I'll stay home.

[rs3o]

I'm trying to decide right now between the Ritchey Break-away cross frame or a Gunnar S&S coupled Crosshairs. I think I trust the S&S couplers more than the Ritchey system, though I saw two Ritcheys at the cross race yesterday and they seemed just fine.

Ritchey=near instant satisfaction
Gunner=six weeks of waiting

[mimbresman]

I'm trying to decide right now between the Ritchey Break-away cross frame or a Gunnar S&S coupled Crosshairs. I think I trust the S&S couplers more than the Ritchey system, though I saw two Ritcheys at the cross race yesterday and they seemed just fine.

Ritchey=near instant satisfaction
Gunner=six weeks of waiting

My 2 cents...
I had the same problem. I was opting for a Dahon Flo (Joe Murray design, Ritchey system) hardtail, but it had a weight limit of 220 lbs. I am a Clydesdale ranging from 210 to 220 depending.

I started looking for other options. Found a used Litespeed and had it retrofit by Bilenky Cycle Works. The S & S coupling is stronger than the tubes, therefore the bike's integrity and strength remains the same.
The Litespeed rides and handles like a dream. I am sure the Gunnar would too.
I'd opt for the Gunnar.

PS: Also a New Mexican ex-pat. Go to NM Bike and Sport and ask Tony about MM.

[AuntieAPE]

I have and S&Sed Soma Double Cross and my wife has a LongHaulTrucker with them and we love them. But my Uncle has one of the Ritchey break away cross bikes and it's beautiful, though it's not set up for as much gear hauling either of hours. Whichever way you go, I don't think you can go wrong.

[ironspoke]

I've seen these things and they are interesting but I was always concerned about the integrity of the frame. I'm a larger rider (250-260lbs) and I'm concerned about frame strength even without having to deal with the couplers. So in your opinion, if this is an option on a bike, your new main bike, you would go for it?

Been looking at the Gunnar website. Those steel beauties are sweet.

[mimbresman]

Iron,
I went with S & S because of my weight (220). I think its a superior system than the Ritchey. The coupling is stronger than the tubes themselves.
MM

[Teamfubar]

I would go with the S&S couplers as well. In all breakdown tandem applications they use S&S couplers. I don't think there are any tandem teams that weigh less than 220 lbs. and there are even coupled triplets and quads out there, so I am sure they are more strong enough for a single. My wife and I will be getting a coupled tandem at some point this year in hopes of riding in Ireland on it.

[mimbresman]

S & S couplings in action...

[dogsridewith]

It would be great to see how all the pieces fit into the "allowable" 26x26x10 case. Were you ever asked to pay a bicycle surcharge because it was a bicycle in the allowable sized case?All bikes should have them or at least have a way to fold for travel...

In about 30 minutes, bike fits in a 26" x 26" x 10" case and vise-a-versa.

Bike goes on a plane, bus, or trunk of a small car with ease.
Bike travels no charge to...
-USA to Venezuela
- eastern Venezuela to Venezuela Andes and back
-Venezuela to USA
-USA to Scotland
-Scotland to USA
-USA to Venezuela
- eastern Venezuela to central Venezuelan mountains and back

S & S couplings are bad ass!

[rockyrider]

S&S also have TIG weldable CrMo lug couplers as well as the stainless steel couplers so there's more options for frame builders.

http://www.sandsmachine.com/guide_cm.htm

[mimbresman]

So far, no airlines have asked me what's in the case (exception...a Venezuelan airline...The guy couldn't believe there was a bike inside. He saw it shrugged his shoulders, and had me fill out an additional insurance form with NO extra charge). They just weigh it and take the case and throw it on the conveyor belt behind them. The bike has always come through okay. Last summer I even shipped two bottles of single malt scotch in the case they came through un broken.

My bike was retrofit by Bilenky Cycle Works (http://www.bilenky.com/Retrofits.html)in Philadelphia.

The retrofit is not cheap but worth it if you are flying a lot or driving small cars (I do both). The bike breaks down rapidly and can fit the trunk no problem.

I don't have any photos of the bike in the case. But you can see it on the Bilenky site.

Couplings are only available for steel or titanium frames, but a few carbon builders are starting to fit them on their frames (Calfee Designs (http://www.calfeedesign.com/)for one)

Edit Add: I was at friend's shop over Christmas. He is now a Dahon dealer. The S & S travel case is smaller and probably lighter than the Dahon travel case.

[kpomtb]

Hey Mimbs,

I need to get some pics of it, but my LBS has a Santana Tandem in for repairs that has 8, that's right, I said eight, or ocho of the S&S couplers. 2 on the top tube between tandem and stoker. 2 on the angled tube between tandem and stoker, and 4 on the double set of tubes connecting the bottom brackets.

I thought I was gonna need my calculator to count all of them. I'm thinking that was kind of a pricey upgrade.

[mimbresman]

Hey Mimbs,

I need to get some pics of it, but my LBS has a Santana Tandem in for repairs that has 8, that's right, I said eight, or ocho of the S&S couplers. 2 on the top tube between tandem and stoker. 2 on the angled tube between tandem and stoker, and 4 on the double set of tubes connecting the bottom brackets.

I thought I was gonna need my calculator to count all of them. I'm thinking that was kind of a pricey upgrade.

I think the stainless steel versions go for about $250 per pair. Titanium $400. 8 would pricey indeed!

[robcycle]

So, at $250/pair, what would labor cost?

I was just thinking a Cross Check frame is $440 new, plus $250 for parts, and maybe $150 labor? That comes out cheaper than a Traveler's Check at $1100. Especially if you already have the frame or get it used.

Just sayin' ;)

-Rob.

[mimbresman]

Bilenky (http://www.bilenky.com/Home.html)did the retrofit on my Litespeed. It was cheaper (and better IMO) than buying a Dahon Flo (http://dahon.com/us/flo.htm).
Steel retrofit price (http://www.bilenky.com/retro_prices.html) is listed at $460.

[rockhound]

is listed at $460.

It's $395 at the moment...http://www.bilenky.com/Menu.html

[rockyrider]

But only for October