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If I was to find a steel frame that I liked, could I chop it in two, fit it in my suitcase, buy an S&S coupler and have a local frame builder reconnect it.
Would it just be a case of hacking it up at two points to make two triangles, or is there more to it than that?
If your going to the expense of the couplers I'd get a specialist frame builder to do all the work
I've heard of other ways of avoiding airline baggage charges! Check out the price of couplings too - £625. I had a custom titanium frame with couplings built for the same money in China.
Depends on the tubes, very thin ones (ie butted) can be difficult. Easier/cheaper to do from scratch so you only paint it after the frame build, rather than retrofit to an existing frame.
Are there alternative couplers?
I know of a frame builder who baulked at the cost of them. They do seem the gold standard for splitting a frame though.
Got them on two bikes, you can retro fit them though you'd have to be pretty sure you need them and can't make do with a normal bike bag. You also need the cable splitters for the gears and brakes
I retrofit them a lot - much better to get me to do the chopping in half bit too, that needs to be quite precise 😉
Coupling position depends on the frame, but typically I put the top tube one as close to the seat tube as possible, and the down tube one a little up from the outer chainring. That makes the front triangle a sensible size.
AFAIK Ritchey Breakaway is the only viable option - I had the steel road version and it was a nice bike. Replaced it with a titanium breakaway CX clone as makes more sense for a travelling bike - simply stick two pairs of tyres in the case and swap around as needed.
The Ritchey system is neat, but can't really be retrofitted - has to be built into a new frame.
@bencooper. Is the Break-away system available for copy (legally) by other builders? Is it possible to build a tough trail-ready frame with those joints? In titanium and/or steel? Cheers.
The Ritchey system is available to framebuilders, yes - I don't think there are any copies, certainly none that I'd trust. I've never used the Ritchey parts, though used hundreds of the S&S couplers.
Just saw the reply, thanks Ben.
I fondled a set of S&S couplers in bens shop a couple of years ago 😳 , the workmanship and machining quality is just outstanding and they just beg to picked up and played with.
Some S&S lushness from the ti/ano masters Firefly bikes
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How long do the couplers take to operate? Are they practical for a steel singlespeed roadbike (assume fixed rear and front brake only for simplicity) which is used for a commuter three days a week and needs to go in a car boot at one end.
I appreciate a folder is probably a better option but I would like a proper bike that can also fold.
That firefly popped up on radavist's twitter feed yesterday, always loved the firefly Ti bikes but that one is something special.
Having owned and used both Ritchey and S+S coupled bikes, they're not really designed for rapid stowage - more a bike that packages in a smaller case for travel/stowage. Depending to what degree of dissembly, I could unpack/assemble in 10 minutes which included things like forks, cables as well as frame couplings themselves. The disadvantage of S+S is that you really need the big spanner to do them tight to avoid creaking whereas the Ritchey design only needs a 5mm Allen key. In use, there's no real difference. A fixed gear road bike would be simpler as you have no rear brake / gear couplers to worry about, could leave the wheels fitted and simply break the frame in two.
The S&S spanner isn't that big - about 6" long, and I've never heard of any creaking problems in 20 years of fitting them. The teeth are tapered, so lock together extremely tightly.
With no cables, probably 30 seconds to split or reassemble - with cables, add another minute or so. It takes longer if you want to do a full pack down, taking wheels and cranks off, but to go in the back of a car you can just do a quick split.
Ok, thanks Ben. I was half hoping you wouldn't say that as it could get expensive!
Dahon had a rather nice bike using the Ritchey system. That was a few years ago.
Dahon Allegro:
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I've put my hacksaw away for now.
I like the idea of Rob English style folding frame. Not the prettiest examples he's made but it gives a rough idea.
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I've heard of other ways of avoiding airline baggage charges! Check out the price of couplings too - £625. I had a custom titanium frame with couplings built for the same money in China.
Details please... have Googled around but cant find any info...