Tandems for dummies

[roubaixtuesday]

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

I'm sure she'd love it - after all she always enjoys riding behind me on my machine

 

[BoldonLad]

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]

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

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]

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.

 

[JhnBssll]

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.

Bits have started arriving for my 2x11 drop bar conversion 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

 

[roubaixtuesday]

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 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

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)

 

[JhnBssll]

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)

It's currently running the standard 11-32 8 speed cassette and a 22-32-42 triple. I'm swapping to an 11-42 cassette and 32-46 double, so I'll lose a bit at the low end and gain a bit at the top. It's got a low ratio of 0.69 currently, this will be 0.76 with the new kit so not a significant loss. We've not ridden it enough to know how useful the really low gears are but we haven't been off the big ring yet, fingers crossed its a good compromise.

I've just ordered some Schwalbe hurricane gravel tyres to try out and need to measure and order some hydraulic hose to fit the new brakes, I'll do that tomorrow

Long term plan is to use it for some gentle touring. We'd like to cycle to harwich and get a ferry over to Holland for example.