Frame --> Fittings --> Folder...?

Kenneth said:

Howdy,

A buddy of mine is planning to live on a boat for a year. He
mentioned that we wanted to take his bicycle with him but
commented that he might prefer a folder.

I vaguely remembered that there was some sort of fitting
that would allow one to cut a standard frame so that it
became a "take apart" frame.

Do such fittings (still) exist, and if so might you point me
in the direction of more information?

Also, is this the sort of modification that can only be done
by a frame builder?

Answers at <http://www.sandsmachine.com/>.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth (Downstate Illinois, North of Forgottonia)

Kenneth wrote:

"A buddy of mine is planning to live on a boat for a year. He
mentioned that we wanted to take his bicycle with him but
commented that he might prefer a folder.

I vaguely remembered that there was some sort of fitting
that would allow one to cut a standard frame so that it
became a "take apart" frame.

Do such fittings (still) exist, and if so might you point me
in the direction of more information? "

The posting about Sandsmachine is what you are looking for. My wife
and each have bikes with these. They seem to make no change in riding
characteristics at all.

"Also, is this the sort of modification that can only be done
by a frame builder? "

I think so. I believe they restrict sales of the devices to those that
know how to install them. They can be retrofitted onto most steel
bikes. Carbon fiber is out, as is Al.

Tom Gibb

Tom said:

Kenneth wrote:

"A buddy of mine is planning to live on a boat for a year. He
mentioned that we wanted to take his bicycle with him but
commented that he might prefer a folder.

I vaguely remembered that there was some sort of fitting
that would allow one to cut a standard frame so that it
became a "take apart" frame.

Do such fittings (still) exist, and if so might you point me
in the direction of more information? "

The posting about Sandsmachine is what you are looking for. My wife
and each have bikes with these. They seem to make no change in riding
characteristics at all.

"Also, is this the sort of modification that can only be done
by a frame builder? "

I think so. I believe they restrict sales of the devices to those that
know how to install them. They can be retrofitted onto most steel
bikes. Carbon fiber is out, as is Al.

There are also S&S couplers for titanium bicycles.

As for aluminium the Sands Machine website says "Aluminum frames:
Santana offers new aluminum tandems with BTCs™. Aluminum frames can't be
retrofit."

For carbon fiber composite frames "Carbon fiber frames: Modified
titanium couplings are being used on carbon fiber frames manufactured or
retrofit by Calfee Design and ariZona Tandems."

--
Tom Sherman - Earth (Downstate Illinois, North of Forgottonia)

Kenneth said:

Howdy,

A buddy of mine is planning to live on a boat for a year. He
mentioned that we wanted to take his bicycle with him but
commented that he might prefer a folder.

I vaguely remembered that there was some sort of fitting
that would allow one to cut a standard frame so that it
became a "take apart" frame.

These are S&S couplings. Available for steel frames only, as far as I
have seen.

Quoted message said:

Do such fittings (still) exist, and if so might you point me in the
direction of more information?

Also, is this the sort of modification that can only be done by a frame
builder?

I'd say so, or at least someone able to handle brazing.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Become MicroSoft-free forever. Ask me how.
_`\(,_ |
(_)/ (_) |

Kenneth said:

Howdy,

A buddy of mine is planning to live on a boat for a year. He
mentioned that we wanted to take his bicycle with him but
commented that he might prefer a folder.

I vaguely remembered that there was some sort of fitting
that would allow one to cut a standard frame so that it
became a "take apart" frame.

Do such fittings (still) exist, and if so might you point me
in the direction of more information?

Also, is this the sort of modification that can only be done
by a frame builder?

Yes.
Search: S+S Couplers
Yes, approved frame shops only.

Here's how they work!

http://www.yellowjersey.org/s&smovie.gif

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

In message <[email hidden]>, A Muzi
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Kenneth said:

Howdy,
A buddy of mine is planning to live on a boat for a year. He
mentioned that we wanted to take his bicycle with him but
commented that he might prefer a folder.
I vaguely remembered that there was some sort of fitting
that would allow one to cut a standard frame so that it
became a "take apart" frame.
Do such fittings (still) exist, and if so might you point me
in the direction of more information?
Also, is this the sort of modification that can only be done
by a frame builder?

Yes.
Search: S+S Couplers
Yes, approved frame shops only.

Here's how they work!

http://www.yellowjersey.org/s&smovie.gif

Unless you are looking at a 30 metre plus super yacht (that's the kind
of buddy to have) any bike is likely to have to live in a small space
with plenty of sea water laden air and some drips around at least once
the boat gets to sea. Under the cockpit for example. Overall taking a
high quality bike to sea (S+S Couplers are not appropriate for cheap
bikes) may be a mistake.

Depending on the age and quality of the bike some parts made of
aluminium alloys that contain copper (Dural and similar). These do not
live long in a marine atmosphere. I'm interested to know more about how
the zinc-rich 7005 alloy used on modern bikes gets on in this respect.

We have a collection of Raleigh Twenty frames built up with sea going
adventures in mind. Three complete bike fit in an unused space under a
cockpit locker with two folded and one separated. The disadvantage is
that quite a lot of boat gear has to be moved to access them.

One idea I have not tried is to have a dry suit maker produce a fully
airtight bag. Should we ever set of on a major voyage and want better
small wheel touring bikes (such as Moulton APBs) this looks like a good
but fairly pricey idea. Some kind of fitted fenders will be needed
inside the bag or the bike will eat its way out at sea. The S+S couplers
have especially sharp teeth I understand.

Could even tow the bike behind the tender floating in its own bag....

--

Martyn Aldis, e-mail [email hidden]
==============================================================================

Kenneth said:

A buddy of mine is planning to live on a boat for a year.
He mentioned that we wanted to take his bicycle with him
but commented that he might prefer a folder.

The best course for him may be to get a purpose-built folder like one of
the Dahon Mariner bikes:

Mariner D7
http://www.dahon.com/marinerd7.htm

Mariner 26
http://www.dahon.com/mariner26.htm

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)

LioNiNoiL_a t_Y a h 0 0_d 0 t_c 0 m said:

Kenneth said:

A buddy of mine is planning to live on a boat for a year.
He mentioned that we wanted to take his bicycle with him
but commented that he might prefer a folder.

The best course for him may be to get a purpose-built folder like one
of the Dahon Mariner bikes:

Mariner D7
http://www.dahon.com/marinerd7.htm

Mariner 26
http://www.dahon.com/mariner26.htm

These are extremely popular with boaters. So are Montague folding mountain
bikes, which fold just enough.

Matt O.

S&S couplers is one option. Another option is a Ritchey Break away road
bike. Dahon sells such model under their name as well.

For a boat, probably a true folding bike like a Dahon or a Brompton (as
in quick, convenient folding) is most popular and feasible.