S and S Machine
Bicycle Torque Couplings (BTCs)
Your Travel Bike........Your Only Bike!

Bina, of Bilenky
Cycle Works, heads to Denver with 3 singles and a Tandem in S&S hard cases
ALL OUR HARD CASES ARE MADE IN THE
USA
General information regarding hard cases:
A hard case will provide the highest level of protection for
your bike. They are ideal when you start and finish the cycling portion of
your travel from the same place. They also work great when you have the
ability to ship the empty case ahead to a point where it will be needed for
your next flight.. Some
framebuilders offer trailer options (shown below) that work in conjunction
with our hard cases for those who want to take the case along with them while
touring. Towing the case solves the problem of what to do with it as
well as making a great container for touring gear. For
maximum protection, we recommend that 3 or 4 compression members
be used to stiffen a case. All of our cases are small enough to fit in the front seat of a compact truck or
in the trunk or back seat of most cars so no special transportation is necessary
to get to and from the airport.
Oversize cases
Some of our cases are available in a 12" oversize version but this
size does not meet
airline size requirements. Although some
people choose an oversize case for a single bike, we don't recommend it since there
is a possibility that you will be charged for oversize luggage. It's very rare
that a single bike won't fit into a 10" case. Packing a bike for the
first time is like learning anything new, it takes following
instructions, experimentation and practice. Packing tips are
available here. Our oversize cases are
designed to accommodate bicycles (typically tandems or recumbents) that won't fit in
a 10" case.
For tandems that won't fit in a single 10" case, we normally recommend two 10"
cases instead of using an oversize case. That way, the extra space in each
case can be used for miscellaneous items and clothing and since there are
normally 2 people traveling with a tandem, you won't get charged
for the second case. Since many airlines add a fee for cases that weigh over 50
pounds, be especially careful to check the weight of an oversize case before
you get to the airport since it's easy to exceed the weight limit.
Construction styles
We offer three hard case construction methods to better meet the
needs of our customers.
-
Our original USA made gray hard case, with its rugged look, has
been in use now for over 10 years and it is known for its good looks, strength and
durability. We rarely hear of one of these cases being damaged.
-
Our newest case, with butterfly latches, is made in
the USA. The wide wheel spacing provides excellent stability when it's
pulled on its edge. They are rugged and suitable for hard service.
Wheel configurations
Edge pull:
- Has wheels along the narrow edge and it pulled on its edge.
- This configuration is best for maneuvering in tight places like
airports or train stations.
- They are less stable than a side pull case especially on an uneven
surface.
- Our new Butterfly latch case is the most stable edge
pull case that we offer.
Side pull
- Has wheels along the long side of the case and is
pulled on its wide side
- This configuration is very stable even on uneven
surfaces.
Combination edge and side pull
- Has wheels on the narrow edge and wheels on the side so it can
be pulled either way.
- Can be pulled on edge in tight places and on its side over rough
terrain.
Methods of pulling a case
Edge Pull
- A handle is located on the side opposite of the wheels.
- The case is pulled at the side of the person pulling it.
Side Pull
- Some edge pull cases are pulled by a telescopic handle built into the
case that extends above the case to make it convenient to to reach. These
add cost and the handle increases the size of the case.
- Some edge pull cases are pulled by the carry handle located on the top
if the case. These are more economical but not as easy to use as a
telescopic handle. These do not increase the size of the case.
Original style hard cases (gray) (Made
in USA) |
Overall features and benefits
of our Original style hard cases (gray):
-
Time proven rugged design.
-
We
rarely see any damage to these cases.
-
The shell is made from silver-gray high density
polyethylene which is extremely tough.
-
Industrial style handles and hardware for strength and
durability.
-
Two locking metal latches.
-
Padlock tabs so a regular padlock can be used in
addition to the locking latches for added security.
-
Heavy duty recessed ball bearing
wheels.
-
Spring loaded steel flip out handle for pulling
the case.
-
Molded in feet so they can't be broken off and
they are farther apart for added stability.
-
We stock all the latches and hardware in the
event that something gets damaged.
-
Available in 10 and 12" sizes.
-
No liner so it can easily be washed out after that
mountain biking adventure.
-
Available in edge pull, side pull and combined
edge/side pull configurations
-
Made in the USA
-
See prices below.
|
10" Edge pull, Original
style hard case (gray)
Case dimensions are 26" x 26" x 10"
(click here for a dimensioned drawing of the case
interior) which
meets the typical airline standard maximum size limit of 62"
combined (length + width + thickness). The standard 2 wheel case has an improved wheel configuration that greatly improves
the
stability of the case when it's being pulled. Our old style case was more stable when being
pushed rather than being pulled. To convert an
older push style case to a pull style case, click here.
-
Approximate retail price is $497.00
-
Approximate weight is 17 pounds
|
Flip out handle and 2 wheels on the narrow side.

Full length piano hinge
|
12"
edge pull, Original and 4 wheel style hard case (gray)
Oversize
Our original 2 wheel edge pull hard case and 4 wheel are also available in a
12" oversize version but these cases do not meet
airline size requirements.
12" case
- Weigh: 22 pounds
- Approximate retail price for the Original 2 wheel: $644.00
- Approximate retail price for the 4 wheel: $688.00
|

Compare our 10" hard case to the 12"
oversize versions.
|
10" Side
pull / edge pull (4 wheel) Original style hard case (gray)

This 4 wheel case can be pulled on its narrow or wide edge. It has
2 wheels
located on the wide edge of the case so it's very stable when being pulled over
rough terrain and 2 wheels on the narrow edge so it's maneuverable in tight
places. When being pulled on the wide edge, it's pulled by the all black
carry handle instead of the telescopic handle found on our side pull case
below. Case dimensions are 26" x 26" x 10"
(click here for a dimensioned drawing of the case
interior) which
meets the typical airline standard maximum size
limit of 62" combined (length + width + thickness). It has the improved wheel
configuration on the narrow edge which greatly improves the stability of the
case
-
Approximate retail price is $639.00
-
Approximate weight is 17.5 pounds
|
  |
10" Side
pull with telescopic handle, Original style hard case (gray)
This case has 4 wheels
located on the wide edge of the case so it's very stable when being pulled on
uneven terrain or sloping surfaces. We
also added a telescopic pull handle which provides extra clearance between your
feet and the case. The ribs on one face were added to protect
the center section that houses the pull handle. Although the basic case is
26"x26"x10", the same inside dimensions as our 10" case, the ribs add another inch to the 10" height of the
case for an over the ribs dimension of 11". Technically this case is oversize
so you may get charged for it
however some airlines ignore feet and ribs when measuring so they accept it without
an extra charge. The
same 10 inch compression members that are used
with our
standard case work with this case.
|

Telescopic pull handle and 4 wheels along the long edge
|
Butterfly Latch
Hard Case (Made in USA) |
Overall features and benefits of
our Butterfly Latch hard cases:
-
The shell is made from textured black high density
polyethylene which is extremely tough.
-
Industrial style handles and hardware for high strength and
durability.
-
Two rugged steel butterfly latches that can take a
beating without breaking.
-
Padlock tabs so a regular or TSA approved padlock can be used.
-
Heavy duty recessed ball bearing
wheels.
-
Wheels are placed farther apart than any other
case we offer for extra stability when being pulled.
-
Wheel pockets "molded in" instead of
"cut in" for extra durability.
-
Durable, full length, piano hinge.
-
Rugged spring loaded steel flip out handle for pulling
the case.
-
Rugged spring loaded steel flip up handle for
carrying the case.
-
Molded in feet so they can't be broken off and
they are farther apart for added stability.
-
We stock all the latches and hardware so in the
unlikely event that something gets damaged, it's repairable..
-
No liner so it can easily be washed out after that
mountain biking adventure.
-
Lighter than our original hard case style so you can carry more cargo
inside without exceeding the weight restrictions.
-
Available in a combination edge / side pull
version
-
Made in the USA
-
See prices below.
|
Construction Details

Heavy duty butterfly latches

2
Wide spaced wheels for added stability and full length piano hinge
|
|
|
Due to its wide
wheelbase, this case is very stable when pulled on its edge.
10" Edge pull, Butterfly Latch Case (2
wheels)
Case dimensions are 26" x 26" x 10" which
meets the typical airline standard maximum size limit of 62"
combined (length + width + thickness).
-
Approximate retail price is $476.00
-
Approximate weight is 15.2 pounds
|

Very maneuverable in tight places |
DISCONTINUED
10" Combination Edge Pull / Side Pull, Butterfly Latch
Case (4 wheels)
Case dimensions are 26" x 26" x 10" which
meets the typical airline standard maximum size limit of 62"
combined (length + width + thickness). Uses the carry handle as the pull
handle when pulling it on its edge.
Approximate weight is 15.6 pounds
DISCONTINUED |

Very maneuverable but the added benefit of 2 side wheels for stability
on rough surfaces |
Trailer options offered by others

S and S suitcase and Bob trailer combination. Available at: Tandems
East

An
Around the World test of the Bilenky's
trailer/suitcase is complete and now this marvel is in production. Thanks and
congratulations go out to David & Kiki of merry old England for all their
help in the testing of the Bilenky one wheeled wonder.

The Turtle Tow by Bilenky Cycle Works
Description
provided by Bilenky Cycle Works:
The turtle tow is single 16" wheel trailer custom fabricated to be used in conjunction with an S & S hard case; the chassis can be removed from the case and are packable into the case with most of a coupler single bike. (you will need some type of collapsible soft pack or wheel bag for your bike's rear wheel.
The design features: 4130 tubing, ball bearing headset, and internal tubular bracing, external anodized aluminum edging for the hard case - distinguishing this from currently available standard one-wheel trailer modifications. Our new lower pricing for the trailer unit is $395;
$745 complete with hard case.
Please
contact Bilenky Cycle Works to purchase this
trailer case.
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