I am a business traveler and I log between 60,000 and 100,000 miles every year by air. This Spring I had S&S couplers put on my bike so I could take it with me as checked luggage and avoid paying the $150 fee that my airline charges for bikes — each way! I was disappointed because my first two trips after getting the bike back were Denver (20 inches of snow) and Minneapolis (6 inches of snow). Needless to say the bike stayed home.

This week I traveled to Memphis (I told my boss that if it snowed on me in May in Memphis I was quitting!!!) Since the weather was nice in Memphis this was my first trip with the S&S coupled bike. I know it was my first trip but I want to share 10 observations about traveling with an S&S coupled bike. So here is my list:

1. The bike will inevitable get damaged. I had two issues on this trip. First the TSA opened my case and when they re-packed it the front axle pressed against the side and baggage handling cased it to rub a hole in the case and grind down a bit of the axle. The case looks like it has a bullet hole in it. I had to ream out the axle to get a QR sewer to fit. Second when they re-packed the bike, the freewheel pressed up against the down tube and left some scratches. The force from closing the case caused the freewheel to scratch the paint to bare metal even though I had padding on the tube and the frame was powder coated to make it more durable
2. Since I take my bike along on business trips, I have gone from being a carry-on only business traveler to having to check at least one bag. I t means I have to get to the airport earlier to check in and really changes the way I travel.
3. Bring a good pump. I have a frame pump that I carry for emergencies bit on this forum someone suggested that I should get a ToPeak Road Morph Pump with built-in pressure gauge. Since I have to completely deflate my tires in order to pack them this was a great suggestion.
4. For this trip, I packed the minimum set of tools that I would need to assemble and disassemble the bike, allen wrenches and the S&S tool with a built in pedal wrench. Next trip I am going to include a small Phillips screwdriver
5. Rent a bigger car! Just because I can disassemble the bike doesn’t mean I want to do it every time I leave the hotel. An SUV or minivan would have made going from the hotel to the bike trail much easier.
6. Next time I will bring along a small tube of grease for inserting the stem and seat post.
7. If you have a threaded headset, consider getting a quill adapter and an Aheadset. The combination of drop bar and stem is the hardest thing to fit into the case.
8. I have a classic old school Selle Italia Turbo Speciale saddle it is in nearly pristine condition. Before my next trip I am going to get a nylon rain cover for it so it doesn’t get scuffed by the tires. I also want to figure out how to protect the new white Fizik handlebar tape.
9. I have the standard gray S&S case. It is heavy and the design of the wheels and handles makes it difficult to roll while managing my carry-on bag and laptop.
10. Even though it is a pain to travel with, I loved having my bike with me on this trip. I only had two evenings free but I got to do about 21 miles.

S&S coupling retrofit —$450.
S&S case and accessories —$500.
Powder coat frame —$350.
Bike Upgrades and accessories —$400.
Getting to ride my bike while on business travel — priceless.


My Bike on the Shelby Farms Greenline, Memphis, Tennessee (Visit my bike blog, A Bike Life)

Hmm, sounds like you need a Brompton..

Next time, get a cheap bunch of cable ties. Use these liberally to tie the packed form bike together so when TSA take the bike out, it will come out in one parcel, allowing them to inspect any other stuff and just put the entire package back in the case without having to puzzle.

At price paid, one word reply. RENTAL.

What ignorance! Do those people even try to carefully handle baggage? (don't answer that). If it were me, I would include a semi threatening note in the case, informing them that if they do not handle with utmost care, you will have to take it out on their ass. The zip tie thing sounds like a great idea as well.

SNS makes a security net for use inside the case, that keeps the bike bundled yet TSA can still inspect the bike through it. The net in combination with zip ties to keep the bike in one tight bundle helps to minimize damage.

SNS bikes are the most robust of the folding bikes since they are usually, in effect, a traditional diamond frame bicycle. SNS coupled bikes can tackle some incredibly stout terrain, tour well, and tackle long road rides with aplomb. some of the reasons i pack a SNS bike instead of a traditionally styled folder on plane trips.

San Francisco and Hawaii .


I wouldn't want to ride around Maui on a Brompton!

Great report and advice for those with SNS travel bikes.

road morph pump, grease, the packing cautions, etc. I bring some of the teflon coupler grease too.

This is a brilliant idea...

...if you want a special security search where rubber gloves are involved.

Let us know how that works out for you.

Bike Friday Pocket Rocket will take all that high end road components too.

standard suitcase packs.

but you already dropped the $1700. too late..

You would prolly do better to include instructions on how to repack the bag properly. Also use the TSA-approved combo locks that tell you they've been opened. Then you could put in a claim for any damage.

Actually, a folding bike was not really on my radar screen. I don't mean to be a troll but:

1) I had S&S couplers put on my dream bike, a 1991 Bridgestone RB-1 that I have completely re-built and tricked out with exactly the components I want. (Phil Wood hubs, Dura-Ace and Deore XT shifting, TA Alize triple chainrings, Selle Italia Turbo Speciale saddle, Dura Ace brakes ...) There is something to be said for riding 'my bike' set up exactly the way I want it rather than a rental or some other bike.

2) I am an 'uber-Clyde', I am pretty sure that I am well over the weight limit for most available folders.

Have an RB1 .. I got the frame/fork around 91.. my bike Friday Pocket Llama gets more use.
It has their heavy rider upgrades . but Its not their Go fast type.. I'm lantern rouge , myself anyhow..

Fully agree.

You can fit that into a 62" case?

Anyway nice work on the bike.

Great job Wooljersey, I'm looking at following in your tyreprints (footsteps, call it what you will). I've rode a Moulton APB for the last 17 years or so and am just now building up a different type of touring bike, more in tune with local conditions (dirt roads and singletrack). The Surly Ogre has caught my imagination and I'm seriously contemplating sending it down the S&S coupling route once its complete and dialed in as far as my "fit" goes. Not sure I'll want to part with the Moulton ever so just concentrating on finishing the Ogre whilst wistfully considering what the APB would look like with a full refurb.

Thanks for posting the list. I am just finishing my S&S build.

I have come to the conclusion that TSA is more likely to inspect your luggage if it has no dirty laundry in it. And anything that looks unusual is more likely to be inspected because they are a curious lot - "gee, I have never seen one of those before, I wonder what it is?"

I plan to buy their backpack case instead. Hopefully extra padding in the sides (dirty laundry) will do the trick to minimize damage to my frame.

I am curious to know if the netting kit is worth it. Will they actually lift the complete package out for a visual inspection or will they still unpack everything piece by piece?

I might pack my saddle in my regular luggage, not with the bike, I am undecided.

I was thinking of using velcro straps to hold things together instead of zip ties. But I wonder if zip ties would result in less damage caused by bad TSA repacking?