Hello,

I'm not sure whether to post in Tandems or Recumbents, but this question seems more Tandem related to me. My wife and I are starting to look at getting a RANS Screamer XXL (I'm 6'3" - 48" X-Seam, and my wife is 5'3"). We are debating on whether we want to pop the extra $600 and get the TR version with the S&S couplers. Currently neither of us ride much (my wife doesn't actually know how to ride a bike), but we have test rode several upright tandems whileon vacation and liked the experience of riding together. When we went shopping for one, my wife suggested we try out a recumbent. Well, there was no choice after riding it.

We like the idea of being able to take the bike with us on vacations, but don't know if we want to jump right in to that extent. Right now we are looking to see whether we can get a RANS Screamer XXL with the Sport components (might be able to save ~$800). Right now we are looking at being very casual riders (probably no more than 25 miles at a stretch), so we don't want to go overboard. I know that if we really get into this, we can always upgrade the components, but upgrading the frame is a whole new bike. With that in mind we want to make sure we don't skimp too much on the frame.

That all brings me to my question: Are there shipping boxes that wuld work to ship the Screamer XXL without the S&S couplers? Maybe something like the hard case ski carriers (a separate box for the seats and tires)? We like to travel and (if we get into this) would like to have the option of bringing it with us.

Thanks for any info you can shed on this subject,

Tim Musa

Tim,
You can ship a Screamer frame UPS. But to do so you have to remove the wheels, fork, handle bar, seats and the front crank set. The frame ships in one box and everything else in another. Spring for the TR frameset, then with a little work everything could be shipped in one box.

Tim:

I have a Rans Screamer TR with S&S couplers and found it was the not worth the expense and hassle factor when shipping the bike. I purchased a travel case from Angletech that allows me to ship the bike via the airlines with minimal bike disassembly. The frame fits in one case (intact), while the seat and wheels travel in another case. Both cases consist of padded cordura nylon that protect the bike and extra gear beautifully, are easy to transport through the airport(thanks to equipped castor rollers), and when not in use is easily stored.

If I were initating the bike purchase again I would skip the S&S couplers and put the money saved into a decent travel case. The only other travel case advertised for the Screamer is the TriSports model, however, it requires the S&S couplers and a complete breakdown of the bike to fit into the case. Kelvin Clarke at Angletech has the best travel solution for the Screamer, period!!!

Jim Zoschenko