Tandems for dummies

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

BoldonLad

Not part of the Elite
Location
South Tyneside
In principle my long term relationship has survived almost 50 years. And we have been married that long too.

I am confident that the relationship would not survive the second 15 minute spell of a tandem experience.

How do people cope?
What special property has not been included in our relationship ?

Same principle applies as every other activity in a relationship/marriage, ie the wife is always right, do not argue with her. 😂
 

T4tomo

Legendary Member
Literally no idea, I was thinking to myself "I'll move them back, thats going to be annoying" while he was explaining :smile: He had paid his lbs to make the change and was quite pleased with the result so it had obviously helped in some way :smile:

I've heard it done help with setting off, pilot applies power and then stoker is on down stroke to apply their power so less of a dead spot. I never tried it in my tandeming in days.

It's easy to experiment, just ship the timing chain off the front cranks and realign.
 

bobzmyunkle

Über Member
I've heard it done help with setting off, pilot applies power and then stoker is on down stroke to apply their power so less of a dead spot. I never tried it in my tandeming in days.

It's easy to experiment, just ship the timing chain off the front cranks and realign.

In the distant days when we had a tandem, I used to have the cranks slightly offset so both aren't hitting the deadspot at the same time. More like 15 degrees rather than 90. I would think 90 degree offset might be a bit choppy. No idea where I got the idea from, it was definitely pre-internet.
There's a learning curve to riding a tandem that can seriously test a relationship.
 
OP
OP
JhnBssll

JhnBssll

Guru
Location
Suffolk
I've done a bit more adjustment this morning. Cranks are now synced and the pilot saddle is a little better adjusted. The stoker's bars were slightly wonky in every way possible so I've straightened them up too.

20250802_124955.jpg


Bits have started arriving for my 2x11 drop bar conversion :smile: I've got a GRX R810 rear mech and some Kinesis Jo Burt bar tape by the back door, with plenty of other bits on the way :smile:

20250802_125931.jpg
 

roubaixtuesday

self serving virtue signaller
I've done a bit more adjustment this morning. Cranks are now synced and the pilot saddle is a little better adjusted. The stoker's bars were slightly wonky in every way possible so I've straightened them up too.

View attachment 782285

Bits have started arriving for my 2x11 drop bar conversion :smile: I've got a GRX R810 rear mech and some Kinesis Jo Burt bar tape by the back door, with plenty of other bits on the way :smile:

View attachment 782286

Sounds great.

What the gear ratios are you planning with the GRX?

And is this for a touring set up or more just day rides?

(Sorry to bombard, just curious)
 
Top Bottom