Considering the complexity of the design and the precision need in manufacture, S&S couplers are very fairly priced. The $500 installed price includes the frame builder's time and skill. Particularly for a retrofit, the alignment must be very exact and this is not a job for the neophyte and certainly not for the first time frame builder.

When ordered with a new frame from a maker like Co-Motion, the couplers are installed in the top and downtube before these tubes are cut to final length, mitered and brazed or welded in place.