Is this a tandem?

[TVC]

Built by a cycling buddy, we can't decide if this counts as a tandem. It is certainly unstable, corners horribly and is fairly lousy going straight, but at least it's more sociable than the standard configuration.

 

[Ian H]

No. It's a sociable.

Tandem means one behind another.

 

[screenman]

The correct name is quadrocepticycle.











Made up name.

 

[TVC]

No. It's a sociable.

Tandem means one behind another.

Just googled it, I never knew there was such a term. Thanks

Absolute coincidence that I used the word in the OP.

In truth its a death trap, I had one go and that was enough.

 

[classic33]

Try a ZEM 2 or ZEM 4!

 

[burntoutbanger]

Used to have similar things in the seaside town where I grew up (Ilfracombe, Devon). Great fun but heavy and the brakes were awful.

I reckon with modern brakes and a lighter frame they would be lots more fun than they were back in the late eighties/early nineties.

 

[Ian H]

Just googled it, I never knew there was such a term. Thanks

Absolute coincidence that I used the word in the OP.

In truth its a death trap, I had one go and that was enough.

Often made with two wheels, sometimes three.

 

[TheCyclingRooster]

How about the more likely name of A Side by Side ? I suppose like the Side by Side double barreled shotgun it could be lethal in the wrong hands.

 

[TVC]

Used to have similar things in the seaside town where I grew up (Ilfracombe, Devon). Great fun but heavy and the brakes were awful.

I reckon with modern brakes and a lighter frame they would be lots more fun than they were back in the late eighties/early nineties.

I remember the seaside versions too, normally with a canopy over the top, a tarmac pedallo basically.

 

[TVC]

Often made with two wheels, sometimes three.

Looking through google images there are some interesting looking contraptions, the two wheeler looks like a pig to master, the trike makes most sense as you get stability and good steering. The problem with 4 wheels - as in this suicide machine - is that without proper ball jointed track rods you don't get differential turn in on the wheels and the whole thing crabs around corners.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Used to have similar things in the seaside town where I grew up (Ilfracombe, Devon). Great fun but heavy and the brakes were awful.

I reckon with modern brakes and a lighter frame they would be lots more fun than they were back in the late eighties/early nineties.

I was just thinking exactly the same thing about my childhood in South Devon. They always had a roof made from the same material as deck chairs. You could hire one and pootle up and down the front. A shame that they're gone. I could afford a go now. Couldn't back then.

 

[Ian H]

Looking through google images there are some interesting looking contraptions, the two wheeler looks like a pig to master...

Apparently not. I read an account of a fellow who went around the world on one, meeting local folk and inviting them to ride with him. He claimed it was as easy as a solo bike, even when ridden solo. I can't remember his name—it was a few years ago.

 

[srw]

I was just thinking exactly the same thing about my childhood in South Devon. They always had a roof made from the same material as deck chairs. You could hire one and pootle up and down the front. A shame that they're gone. I could afford a go now. Couldn't back then.

Through the channel tunnel, turn left and you're on the Belgian Riviera in about 40 minutes in a car or a few hours on a bike. Plenty of them available to hire over there.

 

[Cycleops]

The drawbacks are obvious. Compared to a tandem two extra wheels have been added plus a lot of extra ironwork and you can't lean through corners.

 

[smutchin]

The drawbacks are obvious. Compared to a tandem two extra wheels have been added plus a lot of extra ironwork and you can't lean through corners.

Plus the stoker doesn't get to ogle the captain's arse.

Whether or not this is a drawback will largely depend on who is the captain.