What material are the couplings made of ?

Bilenky Cycle Works retrofits bikes with special alloy stainless steel or titanium couplers.  
We use the classic style couplers (lug-like in appearance) and low-temperature silver brazing.  This creates a strong and beautiful travel frame

What about tubing size and diameter?

Retrofitting is easiest on bicycles with round tubing. We have been retrofitting frames since the introduction of S&S couplings in 1994, and we have the capability to work with many different tube diameters and profiles. Give us a call for an exact price quote for your particular frame.

The steel couplers are available in eleven standard diameters.
This covers most currently produced steel frames.  In addition, non-standard tubing diameters can usually be successfully retrofitted. For example, some older French bikes use metric tubing, which requires silver-brazing a shim around the original tube.  Call or write us for a quote on your particular bike.

Tubing brand and type.

We can retrofit almost any bike made of steel tubing.  Rider weight, tubing gauge, and your intended use are our main considerations in determining the feasibility of your project and where the couplers will be placed. 

 Special frame designs and features.

Internal cable guides?  
Frames with this feature can be retrofitted, but the internal routing is replaced with external cable stops. 

Mixte frames and Ladies' frames
It's no problem for us to retrofit these bikes!

What about rear suspension, elevated rear triangle frames, and other specialty bikes?  
We can handle just about any retrofit project, but may need to evaluate some bikes firsthand before quoting you a price. 

S & S Coupling User's Guide.

What do I need to do to maintain the couplers, once they're installed?  
S & S Machine's website offers a complete on-line "User's Guide."

Airline Security and Handling

How will my bike survive traveling with the newer tougher airline security and inspections?
S & S Machine is aware of this problem, and has developed a security net that holds everything together, prevents the compression members from coming apart, and allows the case contents to be viewed without removing the net.  For more photos and details, go to S & S machine.  Available from us for $38.50 or just $35 with any S & S retrofit order.

                
                  S & S security net firmly in place!

Prices

Retrofitting tandems, triples and other challenges.

We were the first to use S&S BTCs on tandems and triples, and have retrofitted many tandems since 1995.   Contact us with your particular project and needs.  If we can't do it, no one can!