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S&S coupling help

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Old 09-17-15 | 12:34 AM
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From: Ludwigshafen

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S&S coupling help

I just got my frame Patria Terra after retrofiting the S&S coupling.My bike has Magura HS11 brakes theres no change to get them split,any solution like how can I fit the cables on the frame for easy dessamble when I brake the bike( now the frame.got a lot of smalls holes and there I put a cable holder with a screw) if I dont find anything I am thinking to get V Brakes like Avid 7 digit.
Any cable split for the back light cable?
The last question I dont have a suitcase,so Iam planning to fly with the bike on a box should I brake the bike and pack it on a small box or should I pack it with out dissamble how do you guy do it?
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Old 09-17-15 | 07:25 AM
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I am not familiar with your brakes but you can get cable splitters for the brakes: Cable splitters for S&S Coupled travel bikes

On my bike I have externally routed cables and when my couplers were installed, a slot was cut into the brake cable end holders so I can just slide the cable out of the holder when I disassemble the frame. Sine I have regular side pull brakes on my S&S bike, I just remove the single bolt holding the brake with cable so it is easier to pack.

Regarding boxing your bike, why install couplers if you're not going to disassemble the frame for packing? If you pack it in a 26x26x10 box the airlines should consider it an extra bag rather than an oversize bike and charge accordingly. (of course that doesn't mean they won't try to charge the full oversize bike fee if they ask what is inside and you truthfully tell them a bike. I have had to argue this more than once but never paid more than the additional bag fee per their regulations.) If you so pack your bike disassembled I strongly suggest you zip tie the pieces together so when the TSA opens the box the bike pieces will stay together and go back into the box. Remember to bring extra ties for the return too. 26x26x10 is a common enough cardboard box size that you should be able to get one if you don't want to spring for the suitcase.

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Old 09-17-15 | 07:33 AM
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In your case you'll probably have to get rid of the hydraulic brakes, unless you have lots of time on your hands and don't mind reassembly the whole thing every time you take the bike apart. I've never seen hydraulic couplings that would be small enough for 4-5mm brake cables, but who knows they might exist.
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Old 09-17-15 | 08:09 AM
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I know hydraulic brakes, Maguras in particular, are hugely popular in Germany for trekking bikes, but for a coupled bike I'd seriously consider changing out to standard V-brakes. I don't think you'll notice much (or any) loss in stopping power, and it will make things WAY easier when packing.

If you don't yet have S&S cases, then it's up to you whether you want to go to the hassle of breaking the bike in two vs. using a bike box. (How much does the airline charge for a bike in a regular bike box, and are you willing to pay it?) In the past I've made two S&S sized-cases (26x26x10 inches) out of cardboard bike boxes and used them as disposables. They worked pretty well, but took some time to make.

BTW, I was in Mannheim/Ludwigshafen area back in June; did a short weekend bike tour up the Rhine from Mannheim to Koblenz when I was on a business trip to Walldorf. You have a lot of great riding areas around there!
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Old 09-17-15 | 08:21 AM
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I have hydraulic disc brakes with S&S couplers and I basically remove three clips, that hold the rear hydraulic cable on the frame and then remove the 2 hex bolts from the PM mounted brake caliper and voila, bike is split in half.

Of course, with HS11 brakes, you would have to remove them from the frame just like the disc calipers but I don't know how easy or complicated that process is.

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Old 09-17-15 | 08:26 AM
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I use supernova gold plated connectors to split the wire going to the rear light: Supernova lights from Peter White Cycles

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Old 09-17-15 | 08:31 AM
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Bikes: I tour on a Waterford Adventurecycle. It is a fabulous touring bike.

As regards putting the bike in a 26x10x10 box (international flights allow for bigger boxes), I recommend taking photos of the steps you use to get everything into the box. That is, every time you add a piece to the box, take a photo of how it fit. This way, you will always know now to get your bike in the box and won't forget and have to play with everything until it fits.
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Old 09-17-15 | 08:35 AM
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more cable splitters:

Jtek Cable Splitter | Jtek Engineering
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Old 09-17-15 | 09:33 AM
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One more thing, if you decide to break the bike to ship it (which is why you got the couplers, right?), you'll want to make sure you pad the frame pieces. Murphy's Law means any exposed paint will get rubbed off in a single flight.

Minor Rant: Anybody who's planning on getting S&S couplers on a bike should be aware that padding and a case need to be part of the package, along with ways to disconnect shifters and brakes. Shops that advertise "S&S couplers added to new bike for $500" or "Add S&S couplers to your old bike for just $750" should have a note that the real cost is $400-500 more than that for frequent re-use. IMHO.
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Old 09-17-15 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by pdlamb
One more thing, if you decide to break the bike to ship it (which is why you got the couplers, right?), you'll want to make sure you pad the frame pieces. Murphy's Law means any exposed paint will get rubbed off in a single flight.

Minor Rant: Anybody who's planning on getting S&S couplers on a bike should be aware that padding and a case need to be part of the package, along with ways to disconnect shifters and brakes. Shops that advertise "S&S couplers added to new bike for $500" or "Add S&S couplers to your old bike for just $750" should have a note that the real cost is $400-500 more than that for frequent re-use. IMHO.
On my last flight with my S&S coupled bike, weight was important. The padding that came with my hard sided case was 2 pounds. I didn't take it last time and, instead, wrapped my frame parts with old tubes that I sliced apart and wrapped around them. I secured them with zip-ties. My frame still got dinged, but I saved weight!
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Old 09-17-15 | 09:55 AM
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NB , Its Not a Cable Brake ..

Goodridge offers a dry disconnect , hydraulic hose fitting.. that reportedly works in these situations..

g'gl finds this :Goodridge | Interex

Magura Hydro Stop is a Hydraulic rim Brake .. HS11 .. I have the HS 33. from 2004 .

they bolt on V brake posts , You can always remove the rear brake set and not open the Hose at all .

Put them back On when You re assemble the S&S couplings

Last edited by fietsbob; 09-17-15 at 01:23 PM.
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Old 09-17-15 | 12:11 PM
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I did the s&s for when I need to get a bus last time hat bad experience in Argentina,the price for a small box or a big box flying from Europe is the same you always need to pay for the bike some Airline u can take 30KG but no many.I decide I will get Avid Brakes to get conection for the hiydraulic brakes is very expensive.
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Old 09-17-15 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by raybo
On my last flight with my S&S coupled bike, weight was important. The padding that came with my hard sided case was 2 pounds. I didn't take it last time and, instead, wrapped my frame parts with old tubes that I sliced apart and wrapped around them. I secured them with zip-ties. My frame still got dinged, but I saved weight!
The "standard luggage" requirement is <= 62" H + W + L and <= 50 lbs.
You should NEVER be charged for over-sized luggage if you meet this requirement. You may need to pay checked bag fee depending on the airline.

I usually fly on Southwest and have never been asked about the contents. If asked, I would reply "Bicycle PARTS" as that is the truth.

My case + padded bike comes in at about 38 lbs, so I usually add back in some cycling clothes and tools to get it up to about 48 lbs.

If you got S&S couplers retrofitted, you really have no idea if the frame will even fit in the standard 26 x 26 x 10 case. If you bought a new frame this way, you can ask your frame builder to make sure it will fit.
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Old 09-17-15 | 01:11 PM
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How much harder is it to simply remove the brake calipers from the frame while still connected to hydraulic line, bundle into a loop and tie to handlebar? You're already disassembling practically the whole bike, whats another 5 minutes?
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Old 09-17-15 | 01:28 PM
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To Remove the Wheel with Magura HS, the right hand slave cylinder piston already is removed with a QR lever .

It remains attached to the fluid Balance Hose to the left side piston-caliper you are just loosening 1 bolt on the left side

Maybe you can buy and fit a second Custom Bolt like the right side and another QR lever assembly ?
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Old 09-17-15 | 02:00 PM
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fletsbob yes it s possible to buy like another quick release for the other side of the Magura but I really never wanted to have Magura brakes they come with my bike I really don t see much different with my v brakes on my bike friday,so I just ordered a set of Avid digit 7 got a good price for the set 55€ so now I need a cable spiltter.Which grase you are using for the s&s and do you cover the coupling with lie an old tube?
Thank you
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Old 09-17-15 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by raybo
On my last flight with my S&S coupled bike, weight was important. The padding that came with my hard sided case was 2 pounds. I didn't take it last time and, instead, wrapped my frame parts with old tubes that I sliced apart and wrapped around them. I secured them with zip-ties. My frame still got dinged, but I saved weight!
I can't quite understand how it's acceptable to pony up to get S&S couplers, and then accept dinging the frame when traveling. Short-sightedness on my part, I suppose.
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Old 09-17-15 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by pdlamb
I can't quite understand how it's acceptable to pony up to get S&S couplers, and then accept dinging the frame when traveling. Short-sightedness on my part, I suppose.
I didn't say it was acceptable. That said, I don't identify with the paint finish on my touring bicycle. It is covered with touch-up paint and nail polish. But, the pedals and wheels turn just fine.

Sorry, you don't understand.
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Old 09-17-15 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
To Remove the Wheel with Magura HS, the right hand slave cylinder piston already is removed with a QR lever .

It remains attached to the fluid Balance Hose to the left side piston-caliper you are just loosening 1 bolt on the left side

Maybe you can buy and fit a second Custom Bolt like the right side and another QR lever assembly ?
I was unfamiliar with this brake at last post. Having reviewed images and user manual I now see what you mean. HS11 brakesets are simple to remove as-is, and even simpler if OP can retrofit a second QR lever.



Then again, cable splitters with SD7 are pretty simple too (although the OP is probably going to spend 100USD for these parts).

OP - WRT coupling grease:

https://www.sandsmachine.com/ac_greas.htm
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Old 09-17-15 | 03:26 PM
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looks like the frame needs 6 housing stops 2 0n the section behind the S&S connector and 3 ahead ,

as the disconnects work just on Bare cable runs , so You need 2 pairs for the gear shifting and another pair for the cable brakes .

Was that anticipated in the frame Building Specs?
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Old 09-17-15 | 04:01 PM
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I just ordered from.bf web the separate.for the cable.only for the rear brake,for.the rohloff just take.the external.box out.The frame builder didn t tell me anything,and you don t have many in Germany I found one100km from my home.He did a good job but the quality of the pain is not good very.sensitive to scratchs I complain but thats life...
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Old 09-17-15 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by gdlerner
I did the s&s for when I need to get a bus last time hat bad experience in Argentina,the price for a small box or a big box flying from Europe is the same you always need to pay for the bike some Airline u can take 30KG but no many.I decide I will get Avid Brakes to get conection for the hiydraulic brakes is very expensive
You only pay for the bike in an S&S case (26x26x10 inches, or about 158 cm total) if it is overweight, or beyond your free luggage allowance (usually one piece of baggage, but maybe more if you are preferred status or whatever). Personally, I use S&S soft backpack cases and pack my bike and just about all my clothes in the case, making sure it doesn't go over 50 pounds (23kg). Getting a small digital luggage scale and bringing it with you is an easy way to max out your weight allowance (last time I flew with my S&S bike, my case weighed 49.9 pounds - I was proud and the check-in person was impressed!).

Lufthansa follows these guidelines, for example (see Free baggage rules on Lufthansa - Lufthansa ® United States of America). I assume their Europe rules are the same.
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Old 09-18-15 | 05:53 AM
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My bike alone weight alreafy 18kg
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Old 09-18-15 | 11:02 AM
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When I decided to build up an S&S bike, I planned to put the fork in a duffel with my camping gear due to the length of the fork. That is one way to shift weight from the bike case to other bags. Or the saddle and seatpost is another way.

I always travel with a cheap electronic luggage scale I bought on Ebay, shipped from China for only a few US Dollars. Shipping might take a month or more.
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