Status of BTC/S&S coupler patent

[jamesutiopia]

When US5586652 (http://www.google.com/patents/US5586652) expires, can we look forward to cheaper coupled frames? IANAL, but Jul 12, 1993 was 20 years ago this week.

Wish there was more choice of coupled production frames...

[roguedog]

Hmm.. I dunno if couplers will go mainstream esp with all the carbon out there.
On top of that, I think people who think about traveling with a bike (and who are willing to bother with the fuss of packing & unpacking of a bike) are a small piece of the pie.

Just my 2 cents..

[goonster]

What is the current cost of the couplers, wholesale to builders?

I can't imagine that there would be an explosion in demand if the cost of the coupler option drops from $500 to, say, $350 retail.

Was the Travel Check the only production bike with S&S couplers?

[bicycletricycle]

i don't think you could get them made in the states any cheaper than they currently are but you could get some cheaper ones made in china. It might be hard to find a vendor who could make them as precise for much cheaper, but it would be easy to get crappier ones made for less.

[eddief]

but this guy offers Chinese ti with couplers for just a $250 premium. I have not heard anything negative about these couplers and I don't think they are from S&S. So copies I would guess and maybe best to stay away:

http://www.monster-bicycles.com/frames/completecustom.html

[bicycletricycle]

thats interesting, no pics, at that price they would have to be knock offs. or maybe a ritchey type set up.

[eddief]

also from China and $400 premium on custom build. As seen in this blog post:

http://www.carverbikes.com/blog/Custom-Titanium-Disc-Travel-Bike.html

[bluesea]

What is the current cost of the couplers, wholesale to builders?

I can't imagine that there would be an explosion in demand if the cost of the coupler option drops from $500 to, say, $350 retail.

Was the Travel Check the only production bike with S&S couplers?


Also the Salsa Vaya Travel--stainless steel, S&S coupled.

[old fat man]

wholesale was in the $150 (steel) and $300 (ti) neighborhood when i was in the biz, and that was for a medium sized handbuilt outfit in the states.

keep in mind, the premium is not just for the additional part, but the sizable increase in complexity to weld and mask for painting when you add couplers. in other words, while lowering the wholesale price might help, non-handbuilt coupled bikes (did salsa do that with their coupled travel-check?) are likely to drive a much bigger decrease in overall price to the consumer.

also, as someone with a ritchey breakaway, it's my opinion that that system is a very good, less expensive alternative.

[goonster]

also, as someone with a ritchey breakaway, it's my opinion that that system is a very good, less expensive alternative.
I've got nothing against Breakaway, but do they (all production sizes) fit in an airline legal (62 linear inches) case?

I've heard conflicting reports on this . . .

[jamesutiopia]

Imagine Co-Motion might also be interested: they use a lot of couplers per bike (six per tandem, maybe more if it's long) and already CNC a lot of their own parts (http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/02/02/shop-tour-co-motion-cycles-part-2-cnc-machining/) (steerers, dropouts, etc.)

[old fat man]

I've got nothing against Breakaway, but do they (all production sizes) fit in an airline legal (62 linear inches) case?

I've heard conflicting reports on this . . .

i have a 60cm cx and have only ever used the ritchey travel case. no one at the airport has ever questioned it, or measured it, but it is bigger than 62 linear inches.

[KidWok]

Imagine Co-Motion might also be interested: they use a lot of couplers per bike (six per tandem, maybe more if it's long) and already CNC a lot of their own parts (http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/02/02/shop-tour-co-motion-cycles-part-2-cnc-machining/) (steerers, dropouts, etc.)

Co-Motion sponsors my event and we shot a full tour of their production workshop last year...cool stuff:

http://youtu.be/fX7J1DSk50E

Tai

[weaponsgrade]

The interesting thing about that patent is that it covers the case and not the couplers themselves. But there could very well be another patent that covers the couplers.