Tandem Cycling - S&S Coupler retrofit on CoMo Speedster

In my ongoing quest to figure out how and what to take to Europe for our trip, I'm contemplating getting our tandem retrofitted with the S&S couplers. Anyone know if this is possible? I called CoMo and they do not retrofit. I also saw a thread where the Co-pilot speedster uses a different steel -Reynolds 725, and the one we have is apparently Reynolds 631. Trying to find a company that does retrofit the S&S and wanting to know the cost.

On the other hand, is this something I will end up regretting? Having our CoMo cut up and put back together sounds like a scary proposition. I would hate for it to loose any of its riding characteristics, cause it rides like a dream right now.

Bilenky on the east coast does retro-fitting of S&S on *some* bikes/tandems. It'll cost likely around a grand+. Heck for le$$ money you can pack up and ship tandem to Europe. Hear some Euro airlines do not charge to transport a tandem.
Unless you are planning to do a couple flights a year with tandem, it may not be cost effective.
However, don't know the size of your 'wallet', so you decide.
S&S does not adversely affect handling of the tandem. Have ridden Co-Mos with and without S&S and they feel the same . . . just a couple pounds heavier.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

I'm contemplating getting our tandem retrofitted with the S&S couplers. I called CoMo and they do not retrofit. Trying to find a company that does retrofit the S&S and wanting to know the cost. I would hate for it to loose any of its riding characteristics, cause it rides like a dream right now.

Perhaps you've seen these already....

About retrofitting in general: http://www.sandsmachine.com/#retrofit

About Co-Motion & Retrofits: http://www.co-motion.com/S&Sretrofit.html

More about Co-Motion: The Reynolds 725 tubeset used to build all of their S&S equipped Co-Pilots and the non-S&S Primera is drawn specifically for use with the S&S couplers with thicker butted zones at the coupler installation points. It's also a better material for brazing vs. the lighter Reynolds 631 that is drawn for use on their Speedster, Cappuccino, Mocha, and Supremo models.

As Rudy suggests, if you only plan on making a trip once in a great while, don't even think about it; the juice ain't worth the squeeze. If you plan to do a lot of travelling, consider selling your Speedster and upgrading to an S&S model. JMHO...

That's what I'm looking for. Sounds like this option is more of a PITA than it's worth. Now it's down to flying the CoMo as is or taking the MTBs ::barf::

Of course I'm still being stubborn and wanting to try pulling a Burley Nomad behind my CF Roubaix Pro against the legalese of Specialized. When the trailer gets here I'll have to try pulling around a 50lb bag of feed.

I have a quote in hand from Bilenky and yes it's around a $1000 - plus a repaint which they gave me a deal on because the bike itself is a Bilenky. You then have to have time to take it all the way apart, ship it to them which I found rail was cheapest by rail and then have the time to put it back together and oh yes then you need to buy cases! Even after this it is cheaper than buying a new ss coupled bike which was my alternative..

Hey, I just got here. Too late to put in my thoughts?. I would definetly email/call Stephen Bilenky at Bilenky Cycle Works. I had his crew chop my bike and eventually had them build two other bikes. They understand your pain of sending off your frame to be chopped. They will reward your faith with a beautiful product. There is no downside. It will ride the same. It will look great. It will fit in a suitcase (or two).

I have a CO MO 725 and it's great. BUt a compromise after-the-fact setup will most certainly be less so. Why not rent? There are companies that will deliver a tandem to you, set up a route, etc... any or all of that. PLUS: you may only pay a grand for the conversion... I think it will be more and you don't want to scrimp on that. And you'll pay $600 for the two boxes.