BAB vs. S&S couplers
04-02-06, 05:09 PM
#1
too many bikes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 662
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
BAB vs. S&S couplers
I going to put couplers on a second bike. I have a Dean Ti with S&S BTCs. Rock solid downhill at speed, pulling a trailer, indistinguishable from a non-coupled bike, but the couplers are big and heavy.
Reports of riders using Ritchey Breakaway and Dahon Allegro bikes are generally positive about the BAB couplers on those bikes, which add only about 100 grams per coupler. Some report that the lower coupler threads can easily be stripped (so carry a spare coupler) ... and some riders report having to retighten the coupler during a day's ride. I can live with these shortcomings for the tradeoff in weight.
Any other opinions of S&S vs. BAB couplers?
Does anyone know of a source for BAB couplers?
As a reflection on the deficiencies in the BAB technology, Dahon has introduced Interloc(k) Joint Techology, in which a tongue extends into the abutting tube. IJT will only be available (so far) on the Fuego (MTB) ... TMK not yet shipping.
Reports of riders using Ritchey Breakaway and Dahon Allegro bikes are generally positive about the BAB couplers on those bikes, which add only about 100 grams per coupler. Some report that the lower coupler threads can easily be stripped (so carry a spare coupler) ... and some riders report having to retighten the coupler during a day's ride. I can live with these shortcomings for the tradeoff in weight.
Any other opinions of S&S vs. BAB couplers?
Does anyone know of a source for BAB couplers?
As a reflection on the deficiencies in the BAB technology, Dahon has introduced Interloc(k) Joint Techology, in which a tongue extends into the abutting tube. IJT will only be available (so far) on the Fuego (MTB) ... TMK not yet shipping.
Last edited by maunakea; 04-03-06 at 01:31 AM.
04-04-06, 04:07 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: studio city ca.
Posts: 148
Bikes: cannondale topstone, caad 10, trek superfly, bike friday pocket rocket
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
1 Post
hi! i've got the ritchey breakaway roadbike. the only real issue i've had is with the coupler at the downtube/seattube. if you tighten it to tight it seems to grind a little and can be a little discomfiting. i don't know if i had been tightening it too tight or the previous owner, but i bought a new one from , i think, colorado bike, and its been fine. there is a bulletin on the ritchey website about overtightening so probably that should be perused.
otherwise, my only other complaint is that it doesn't have eyelets for a rack. (i just bought an OMM Sherpa rack but haven't ridden/toured with it yet, so we'll see...) You might think about a Ritchey breakaway Cross bike...
i love the bike and i think its generally a good coupling system. i think with many S&S couplers you have to send your bike in and have them installed which, when i checked around SoCal, was something like $500 (i bought my Ritchey frame on Ebay for $750).
otherwise, my only other complaint is that it doesn't have eyelets for a rack. (i just bought an OMM Sherpa rack but haven't ridden/toured with it yet, so we'll see...) You might think about a Ritchey breakaway Cross bike...
i love the bike and i think its generally a good coupling system. i think with many S&S couplers you have to send your bike in and have them installed which, when i checked around SoCal, was something like $500 (i bought my Ritchey frame on Ebay for $750).
