Framebuilders - anything other than S and S couplers?

Does anyone know about alternatives to S and S couplers? I've seen the Ritchey Break Away frames. They don't really blow my mind away and since they haven't licensed it for general use, I am not interested.

Ok let me tell you about my dream bike (keep in mind I am 5'2", have super short legs, and I carry my bike up and down stairs. Also my type of riding includes long distance stuff and commuting) : touring style frame, either titanium or a lightweight steel, 26" wheels that don't weigh 2 pounds each, 27.2 seatpost if and all possible, quill stem, all sorts of mounting braze-ons, and I would like to breakdown the bike.

The gunnar sport is probably as close as I will ever get without going custom (and someday when I know more about frame design I will- I'd like to do it myself for that extra pride factor). The frame is about 4 pounds, which is probably pretty close to my old trek 520. I'm a bit tired of hefting my bike down the stairs, lighter would be better. The one thing my Trek 520 doesn't have is a weight limit factor for carrying loads.

I think you've found the only two possibilities for a full size bike that can be broken down. I've got an S&S coupled Waterford and it it the best system going. They're available in Ti also if you want a Ti frame and are concerned about weight. They don't really add much anyway once you subtract out the tubing you remove to add them in. About 6oz.

yes: do it yourself!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=488306#post7969401

Obviously there are real folding and demountable bikes, like the Bike Friday. BF bears some examination as inspiration for home made machines. Basically the frame aft of the BB is just bolted on, sure that forms a hinge and if folds, but it wouldn't have to. Particularly with a smaller frame you can do something similar for a carry on bike, like you would get with a regular bike with S&S on it. You don't have to break the frame exactly in half because your parts will be smaller.

Examples with shop build couplers would be ye olde touring bikes like Rene Herse's or the bike on the Desperado site.

http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/images/Hersedemontable.jpg

http://desperadocycles.com/Travel_Light/Travelight.htm

The Rene Herse method is pretty good. That being said, I'm hoping to get insurance soon so I can use the S&S couplers.

The Yellow Jersey has these pretty Panasonics that come with headset, rack and fenders:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/posd7.html

And it's lugged...

the rene herse is wild, hadn't seen it before...
what i did was pretty much the same idea but instead of quickrelease clamps, bolt-thru hardware.

I wonder how much mechanical aptitude would be required to do this myself?

Not much aptitude required. You get the top and downtubes in straight gage, say 1.125, .035 wall. With that you have an odd size inside. You get some oversize stainless tubing and turn it down on a lathe until it is a slip fit. The rest is just brazing and pinch bolts. You have to observe the diagonal cuts in the tubing that make it possible to slide apart a diverging set of tubes. You make the demountable tubes first then you build a frame with them. One thing that would worry me a little is getting the strength in the stainless since it isn't overly strong. Using chromed parts is an option but not for me. I assume that doubling up on the wall size, so one has 1/16" wall size when the insert was turned down, would be sufficient. I think it might be wise to double the female receiving tube the way one does with a seat post

I wonder how much mechanical aptitude would be required to do this myself?

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=532330&highlight=soma

I'm riding mine in Spain this week. It's doing fine, in Madrid potholes and 50 mph mountain descents.

smallparts.com for various lengths & diameters of tubing, stainless, chrome, brass or otherwise
boltdepot.com for, you guessed it, bolts (and washers)
jwwinco.com for truly excellent hand-turned knobs for Many bolt diameters

wall thickness of my tubing wasn't as much as i would have wanted and my bike creaks a little when i ride but the knobs hold tight (have to tighten them back down only every few Hours or so) and i don't see any bending/stressing in the tubing as of yet.

Years ago, I saw an old Rene Herse like that.

The S&S couplers are a joy to use and a bomber connection.

smallparts.com for various lengths & diameters of tubing, stainless, chrome, brass or otherwise
boltdepot.com for, you guessed it, bolts (and washers)
jwwinco.com for truly excellent hand-turned knobs for Many bolt diameters

wall thickness of my tubing wasn't as much as i would have wanted and my bike creaks a little when i ride but the knobs hold tight (have to tighten them back down only every few Hours or so) and i don't see any bending/stressing in the tubing as of yet.

that is pretty neat. I almost wish I didn't love my trek 520 more or I would cut it up. Well this may turn out to be a summer project on some poor unsuspecting beater bike that I find laying around.

I like S and S couplers but for $800 and still airline fees, it doesn't really make sense.