Rodriguez bikes?

[NbyNW]

I have the smallest size stock Rodriguez with 650c wheels and I'm very happy with it. Excellent customer service, too.

If you're petite but are dead set on 700c wheels, I wouldn't be surprised if the guys at R+E tried to talk you out of it, so be prepared for that. If you read their newsletter you'll see that they are fans of 650c for smaller bikes . . . and accordingly they stock plenty of supplies to support the number of 650c bikes that they sell. Which is handy if you live nearby.

I have the Rainier Mirage -- haven't done any loaded touring on it, but have done a bit of research re racks & bags so I know there are options for a smaller-framed bike. I did not opt for S&S couplers, as I have a folder that I would probably use for long distance travel.

MM_QFC's new Seven has S&S couplers, she might have some thoughts on the experience of breaking the bike down and building it up again . . .

I imagine any custom builder could put S&S couplers on your bike.

Check out Indy Fab, which is closer to you and can also do S&S couplers as an option:
http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road..._Independence/

I haven't personally dealt with them, but whenever I've met someone with an Indy Fab they seem to be completely in love with their bikes!

[Crankin]

I have no issues with 650 wheels... my Trek 5200 47 cm had them and I am not any faster now on my Kuota with 700 wheels , despite what the LBS owner tried to convince me. I think he doesn't realize how old I am! Plenty of local supplies for 650 touring wheels at Harris Cyclery.
Well, we have to discuss how much we are willing to shell out. Both Seven and Independent Fabrication are local, as well as Peter Mooney. Denise G. has a very beautiful Peter Mooney bike I have seen sitting in her garage, but I've never seen her ride it.

[Thorn]

My guess is that most custom frame builders will do S&S couplers. As long as the tubes are round, they can put the couplers on (e.g., one of Waterford's steel models has oval tubes).

I love my S&S coupled bike so much we bought one for DH. Both are Waterford RS14s. The couplers plus the suitcase run around $1K so a complete bike for $3K I suppose is possible. Like Knotted said, there is the Surly Travelers Check for an off-the-shelf option.

If you go that way and you need packing suggestions, I believe that DebW posted packing pictures and I can send you my cheat sheet. We don't dissassemble as much as DebW, but we do pack both of the bikes the same way even though DH's is sssooooo tiny compared to mine. For us, it is just easier to do them the same.

Good luck on the hunt.

[DebW]

I'd offer to let you two do a demo pack with mine, but I'm sure Steve can handle it with no problem. Plan on 2 hours the first time you pack one (that's per bike, so 4 hours, because you have to cut and fit the tube wraps and other packing material). After that 45 min - 1 hour per bike to pack, less to unpack and reassemble.

[NbyNW]

Wow Crankin, looks like you've got tons of options! Can't wait to see what you decide.

[Crankin]

There's always a way to spend more money.

I think we are leaning toward ordering by phone, discussing what we want from the stock bikes, flying to Seattle, having them do the final fitting/tweaking and then going on a vacation around the islands (we have a friend on San Juan Island). Then we would have them pack and ship the bikes back to us when we were done.
Thanks for the offer, Deb. You know that *I* will not be involved with the putting together/taking apart.

[DebW]

Thanks for the offer, Deb. You know that *I* will not be involved with the putting together/taking apart.

I assumed that, but you could wrap and unwrap the tubes, which takes almost as long as the mechanical part, and just requires a good level of paranoia about protecting your bikes in transit.