Touring - LHT + S&S couplers

Anyone know if this in the works at all? I love the idea of a Traveler's check, but it seems that worldwide, 26" wheels are still the standard.

Just thinkin out loud, hopefully this isn't magnificently redundant.....

Anyone know if this in the works at all? I love the idea of a Traveler's check, but it seems that worldwide, 26" wheels are still the standard.

Just thinkin out loud, hopefully this isn't magnificently redundant.....

I think Surly will be busy with their Travellers Check, before embarking on an S & S LHT. Price is also going to be another consideration. Got a friend with a retrofit S & S LHT. The couplings did cost more than the frame and fork :)

Note that the rear brake cable stop on the left of the top tube, sort of got in the way of placing the coupling ideally a little closer to the seat tube.

Tons o' places will retrofit...
http://www.sandsmachine.com/fbplist.htm#Retrofitting%20an%20existing%20frame:

My next bike will have them (or be a Bike Friday...)

Did you get my PM?

I emailed them a couple of weeks ago with the same question. They have no plans to do it.

yikes, he needs a dehumidifier or a crash course in bike maintenance. is it common for s&s couplers to rust on the tool marks?

From what I've read here (http://raven.subsume.com/SurlyWebPage.html), s&s couplers require a round tube to be installed, the LHT has a slightly ovalized top tube, which means in addition to installing the couplers, the top tube would need to be replaced.

S&S couplers only make economic sense on premium Fe or Ti frames. Don't forget the cost of the bike case too. Cardboard boxes and paying the surcharge are cheaper for about 5 roundtrips.

The LHT's top tube is slightly ovalised at both ends, not the whole length, so a coupling can be fitted just as the tube gets round. This is just after the rear brake cable stop. It would be ideal to have it on the same vertical line as the down tube coupling, but alas. No problems getting the whole bike into a Samsonite though.

It's definitely possible: Surly Retros (http://www.bilenky.com/2_surly_retros.html).

While I've never done business with them myself, Bilenky has a first rate reputation for frame retrofits (and I like to see folks in my native Philly do well). Not cheap, though, and don't forget to add in the cost of repainting.

Coupler retrofits aren't cheap by any means. If you are willing to spend that kind of money, it might be worthwhile to consider the Traveller's Check and get a frame maker to lower the brake bosses for 26".
The resulting bike would have a lower bottom bracket (but only slightly lower than on the LHT) and fairly long chainstays for a 26" bike. I have no idea how the front end geometry would work with a 26" wheel, however.