Trying to convince my partner to ride tandem more often… any tips?

[curoi]

I love tandem riding, but my partner finds it less comfortable — especially when starting or stopping. I recently came across designs like the EBI-Cargo that focus on smoother handling and easier balance, but I’m curious: have any of you successfully convinced your partner to ride more often? Was it the bike’s design that helped, or just practice?

 

[Sharky]

Consider an upright tandem trike ....

Post in thread 'Show us your tandem' https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/show-us-your-tandem.264024/post-6059927


My daughter was autistic and needed much help when starting and stopping. Sadly, she left us last year, but when we first got it, she really liked it.

Takes a bit of skill to steer it, but once learned, it second nature.

 

[Punkawallah]

Keep sweeties in your back pocket.

 

[a.twiddler]

Let your partner be the captain?

 

[All uphill]

Let your partner be the captain?

That's why Ms AU refused to consider tandemming. A cycling "expert" told her that the man goes on the front, for reasons.

 

[T4tomo]

Whilst a semi recumbent tandem seat is undoubtedly more comfortable, I think most non cyclists would look at the position the are in, i.e first stop for any head on collision, and think (however irrationally) noooo that's not for me!

 

[SteveH80]

Remove the partner pedal and add a wine and chocolate dispenser, a heated seat and jacket would be the icing on the cake.

 

[Gwylan]

My troubled mind, it is about cycling

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Solve the comfort issues

 

[SportsTrophy]

I ended up selling my parents tandem after five years of trying to get my wife to get on with me. She suffered from discomfort on a bike seat and wouldn't even try it so with a very heavy heart it had to leave us for a new home.

 

[a.twiddler]

Sometimes no matter how much you love doing something, and no matter how much practical effort you put into trying to convince someone else that they'll love it too, you have to accept that not everyone feels the magic. If you push too hard you risk souring the other person's view of your hobby, and even spoiling it for yourself. Maybe you have to accept some time apart to enjoy the things that you each like. I'm sure we all can think of a time in our lives when we might have taken a different course. If we didn't, we have to make the best of things as we find them, or as they have become.