S&S couplings

Per JS:

Quoted message said:

I already own 2 other bikes, so I don't want to purchase a fourth bike
with the couplings. Would anyone else do this or am I crazy to even
think of doing it? Any advice appreciated.

Belinkey Cycles does it all the time. I've watched one of their guys do it.
Looks to me like they cut the tubes in the right places in the right sequence
and braze on the couplings.
--
PeteCresswell

I guess the question is are you concerned whether or not frames can be
retrofitted or is your frame a good one to turn into a travel bike.
The answer to the first part is a resounding yes. Frames have been
retroed for the last 20 years. I had a brand new Kogwell P retrofitted
by Steve Rex in Sacramento, no probs.

Do you want to be riding a heavy or heavier with couplings bike on your
vacation? If you like the bike now you will still like after it is
coupled.

In article <[email hidden]>, JS

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking of retrofitting my '98 Basso Gap with S&S couplings for
easier travel. This bike is made out of Columbus SL tubing. It is a
classic, very comfortable and fun to ride, although a bit on the heavy
side.

I already own 2 other bikes, so I don't want to purchase a fourth bike
with the couplings. Would anyone else do this or am I crazy to even
think of doing it? Any advice appreciated.

Well if you're crazy, so am I! A few years ago I retrofitted my
favorite ride (Columbus Brain tubeset) and am very satisfied. A local
framebuilder, Jody Lee out of Welland Ontario, installed the couplers -
those qualified for the job are listed at sandsmachine.com The greatest
compliment I can give the BTQ couplers is that I don't realize that
they are there - at least when riding. Esthetically, I find the
couplers really enhance the bike's appearance.

Oh, budget for a new paint job; and since the bike has to be repainted
anyway, if you're entertaining the thought of adding braze-ons or
fittings have the framebuilder tend to it when installing the couplers.

Once you've been coupled(!?), post here for packing tips!

Luke

JS said:

I'm thinking of retrofitting my '98 Basso Gap with S&S couplings for
easier travel. This bike is made out of Columbus SL tubing. It is a
classic, very comfortable and fun to ride, although a bit on the heavy
side.

I already own 2 other bikes, so I don't want to purchase a fourth bike
with the couplings. Would anyone else do this or am I crazy to even
think of doing it? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,
John

many framebuilders do this. easy with SL tubing. Expect to pay about
$600, another $300 for the suitcase.

Remember that a Ritchey breakaway frame isn't much more $ than this tho-

JS said:

I'm thinking of retrofitting my '98 Basso Gap with S&S couplings for
easier travel. This bike is made out of Columbus SL tubing. It is a
classic, very comfortable and fun to ride, although a bit on the heavy
side.

I already own 2 other bikes, so I don't want to purchase a fourth bike
with the couplings. Would anyone else do this or am I crazy to even
think of doing it? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,
John

How often do you travel? As Mr. Chisholm mentioned, its $400 for the
brazing in of the couplers. $200 for a new paint job. $25 each way
for shipping to the frame builder. $300 for the hardside airplane
legal size luggage. Figure on $1000 to have your frame converted to
S&S couplers. Co-Motion sells their S&S Co-Pilot Espresso for $1925
frame and fork. Bilenky offers his basic TIG welded frames and forks
with S&S couplers for about $1550. Other frame makers offer sort of
low cost frames/forks and S&S couplers for about $1500 too.