S and S couplers in retro steel

tenbikes · Nov 13, 2008

Been thinking about a 'folder' to go in my canoe, based in the SnS couplers (very expensive :evil: )

I did a paddle trip yesterday and my day was spoilt by having to shuttle with a 'proper' folding bike that wasn't nice to ride.

Retro steel mtb frame, round tubes etc seems the way to go, but what would be suitable. The dilema is occasional use = needs to be cheap, BUT SnS = big bucks, so needs to be top class frame!

Any thoughts/experiences??

cheers
TB

perry · Nov 13, 2008

id go with a one gear on one inbred

as itl look kinda retro

http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/O ... ed_27.html

or a kona to be a true retro

tenbikes · Nov 13, 2008

I was considering single speed, but 7/8 sp more likely (it is hilly in Scotland and I'm not after a work out on my canoe days, just need to get the car back).

I have an alloy Rockhopper with round tubes but they are oversized and may not go with SnS couplers.

Alternative might be a 700c road bike but the one I have (columbas SL, made in UK beauty) has clearance only for the thinnest of tyres. Not ideal.

utahdog2003 · Nov 13, 2008

steel Rockhopper!

(look look look!...the new trend retro rush has begun!...blame Kaiser!)

DM · Nov 13, 2008

You can get S&S couplers in pretty much any size, even wildly non-standard round tubing diameters.
[edit] but only for steel or it; Not alu.[/edit]

The tubing on a high end road or MTB frame might have very thin wall thickness where the couplers would go. And thin tubes also dent more easily if you're treating it roughly.

So maybe an older, mid-range frame might be more appropriate (even if the couplers cost 10X the frame cost?)

Old Kona?
Inbred?
Steel Stumpy?
Add an 8-speed Alfine hub-gear?

Or ditch the couplers and get a big-wheeled Dahon?
Hub-geared Cadenza: http://www.dahon.com/intl/cadenza8.htm
Dahon Flo/ Ritchey breakaway: http://www.dahon.com/intl/flo.htm

This bomb-proof travel bike by Rick Hunter can be un-bolted and will carry 100s of pounds:
http://huntercycles.blogspot.com/2008/07/zoman-and-zobike.html

toadoftoadhall · Nov 13, 2008

Try sjscycles they did do them when i was there but very expensive a lot of work but the bikes rode the same once fitted

S and S couplers in retro steel

tenbikes

Retro Guru

perry

tenbikes

Retro Guru

utahdog2003

Senior Retro Guru

DM

Senior Retro Guru

toadoftoadhall

Retro Guru

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