[Sportsandrec] Tandems with S&S couplers

[Lori M. Miller]

Ug, 2 lbs. Hmm, but the convenience is very tempting considering the 
exponential expense of flying tandems.

Is the break down and reassembly manageable or very technical?


Lori

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron & the bears" <rockthebike at usfamily.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Tandems with S&S couplers


> Hi LM,
>
> An S&S coupler is a metal band that goes around the frame tubes of your
> bike. If your bike has them, you would probably know it already, because
> that option adds about 800 to 2000 dollars to the price of your bike. I
> can't remember if 2K includes the cases already. I think it does.
>
> If you check out your frame's tubes, you will feel a bulge in the tube,
> about 1.5-2 inches long. They are usually placed behind, or in front of
> your pilot's seattube, or in front of the stoker's seattube. The bulge is
> actually perforated and comes apart with a special wrench.
>
> Again, they work very well and are dependable. Couplers add about two 
> pounds
> to the weight of your bike. Along with the frame couplers are the cable
> splitters. They need to come apart, too. The extra weight is not noticed,
> for the most part, because it is not moving-weight, like your wheels. The
> extra weight may be a psychological Burdon in a hilly ride or race, but
> unless you are going for serious competition, separated by seconds, most 
> of
> us will not mind them. The frame is no less strong, or stiff, performance
> wise. They are a great way to travel with your eight foot long tandem.
> People even have couplers on their single bikes. They even make tandems 
> that
> convert into a single, or triplets, quads, and quints  that convert into
> triplets, quads, or tandems, or singles. If you have the cash, anything is
> possible.
>
> You can also get couplers retro-fitted to your existing tandem. They
> literally cut your frame in half, or thirds and install the couplers.
> Tandems made of steel, Ti, and carbon fiber can all be coupled. Most
> aluminum tandems cannot be coupled, though I think Santana may offer one,
> now.
>
> Let me say something, too about flying a tandem. All five of my tandems 
> are
> not coupled. Most of the charges that I have paid are just standard 
> bicycle
> charges, nothing extra for the tandem. It is just that the airlines are 
> now
> charging more to bring anything along with you. I have paid as little as 
> 40
> bucks for my tandem on Southwest. When I flew to Italy, my bike went with 
> me
> for free, because it was an international flight. those days may be 
> history,
> now.
>
> I have always used a cardboard tandem box for my flights. I used a ten 
> foot
> box that kept both wheels on, but it was heavier. I did pay some penalties
> for that box a few times, actually. Then, I switched to a seven foot box
> that was a lot easier to handle in the airport and cabs. I have used the
> same box for multiple flights. I still have one on stand by, but it is 
> maybe
> not flyable any longer.
>
> I have also put my tandem on Am Trak for $15! I have not tried a 
> Greyhound,
> but think it will work well. With any transportation, careful packing of
> your ride is crucial.
>
> I have to say, though, when I arrive at my destination and have my own
> tandem, fitted and familiar to me, it is all worth the hassle.
>
> So move those cases and lift them amps. Haul those trusses and get 'em up
> them ramps. But when it comes to moving me, you know you guys are the
> champs.
>
> Stay, by Jackson Brown
>
> Best,
>
> Ron & the have cane and tandem, will travel bears
> Austin, TX
>
> LM wondered, "Hey, what's an S&S coupler? I wonder if my new tandem has 
> one?
> :
> : LM"
>
>
>
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