A Heavy tandem

[presta]

Sociable, but heavy.

I'm not sure I'd want to be on it when two people react to a pothole by swerving in opposite directions either.

 

[Paulus]

Would there be a balance problem if the riders were of unequal weight?

 

[biking_fox]

not necessarily that much heavier than an ordinary tandem. However twice the wind drag!

I wonder how much they duplicated or if there's just one steering arm etc. It might be worse being at the 'front' with the same lack of control that an ordinary tandem stoker has.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

That’s a twin rather than a tandem. Agree riders would want to be a similar weight.

 

[LittleWheelsandBig]

I’ve ridden a sociable bike, though a model with just one rider steering. There is a bit of a lean necessary if the riders have a large weight difference but it isn’t too bad. I even rode it solo for a laugh but I could only ride it in a straight line or turning away from the empty saddle as the outside pedal would hit the ground if I turned in the direction of the empty saddle.

 

[Ian H]

I recall the story of a fellow who toured solo on a sociable (which isn't a tandem), offering lifts to people around the world including China.

 

[Paulus]

Sociable, but heavy.

View attachment 708548

I'm not sure I'd want to be on it when two people react to a pothole by swerving in opposite directions either.

This picture could feature in a caption competition. 😁