#1
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“Z” couplers
Saw this as another option vs. Breakaway and S&S couplings.
Anyone with real life experience with this protocol? Best MB |
#2
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I have both formats, and they work great. That said, I want Zs on every bike now. If you have a choice, go Z.
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#3
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I went with Z couplers on my Hampsten titanium frame, and have seen a few of the No22s with them. I wouldn't go S&S as these solve all the annoyances about those - open/close with just 1 bolt on each coupler and don't/can't loosen over time. Plus, you can't even notice them on the frame unless you're looking closely. Full thread on my bike here: Pig in a box
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#4
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Z for the win I think!
Oh goodness. I can barely tell they are in the frame.
I have breakaway couplers on my Ritchey Ti Cross. I’m considering a fixed/free single speed Ti travel build (via Carver) utilizing the Z couplers for really-easy-travel-choice. But looking at your sweet, sweet road bike it has me thinking “road bike with 32c” instead…as I think I have most of the parts banging around. Thank you for the link. It’s getting me thinking and plotting. Best MB |
#5
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Quote:
Hampsten's titanium frames are welded by none other than Brad Bingham. For further inquiries, operators are standing by. Or you could just send a PM to @hampco. Last edited by echappist; 11-11-2024 at 11:03 PM. |
#6
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Quote:
As the owner of a bike with S&S couplers for the past 14 years, I can confirm that nothing like that has ever happened...mostly because it seems like it could happen, and so I'm paranoid and check them regularly. But in these past 14 years I have never had to (re-)tighten them. That being said, if I were to buy another coupled bike it would probably have those Z-couplers, because A) I really like the idea of not having to carry a proprietary tool, and B) I think they look super slick. Any idea if they weigh less than S&S couplers? |
#7
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Quote:
That said, I’d go with this solution if I ever got another coupled bike. The proprietary tool is kind of too much. The Z couplers are definitely more elegant. |
#8
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Interesting to see the Z-couplers on a solo bike. I previously thought that was an option only on a Santana tandem.
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#9
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Z coupler thoughts
Great feedback folks - thank you.
Currently the thought is to get this built up with rear-facing dropouts. I don’t have a single speed/fixed gear bike in the quiver. So maybe this is a “kill two birds” play - and having traveled with derailleur-ed bikes (Ritchey, Bike Friday), while not the most cumbersome thing to do in terms of build up/break down, having one less item to fuss with sounds appealing. I suppose with only a front brake, you could not have to worry about splitters at all. Carver (which contracts with one of the Asian Ti builders) has been helpful in looking at a target spec (for me - standard 56 geometry - modeled after one of my Ritchey RLs or an All City Mr Pink) and has offered the choice of either S&S or Z couplings. Based on all the feedback above, the Z seems to be the way to go for this project if it materializes. I’ll keep folks posted. MB |
#10
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It's been licensed to others at this point. No22 was the first if I recall.
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#11
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Personally, for a travel bike, I like the industrial look of the S&S couplers. I've never had one come loose unexpectedly.
That Z system does look pretty slick though. I would consider it if I had another travel bike built, or of course if something came up used I wanted. I would like to handle a bike with them in person before making a decision though. When I travel with my bike, it gets "roughed up" a bunch, and I'm usually building it and breaking it down in a hurry. I know the S&S system well now, and it's pretty well bulletproof.
__________________
http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/ |
#12
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Do we know which builder Carver uses? Is it Waltly?
Quote:
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Enjoy every sandwich. -W. Zevon |
#13
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Carver’s builders?
Great question…I emailed back and forth with Walty a bit and I figured that I might save some hassle sending the specs directly to Carver and have them work with their providers. I’ll ask Carver directly.
MB |
#14
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Thanks!
__________________
Enjoy every sandwich. -W. Zevon |
#15
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Can these be added to a bike as a retrofit or new build only? Anyone know?
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http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/ |
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