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Conference noted::bicycle

Title:	Bicycling
Notice:	Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:	JAMIN::WASSER

Created:	Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	3214
Total number of notes:	31946

833.0. "More about Tandems" by CSC32::R_SMITH () Tue Aug 23 1988 11:43

    I have a SANTANA Sovereign Touring Tandem. We have ridden two
    tours of Colorado with it and several centuries and one tandem
    rally. I recommend joining the Tandem CLub of America and attending
    a tendem rally sometime. You will get a lot of ideas and what works
    and what doesn't.
    
    What about out of phase?
    
    My wife and I received our tandem out of phase and we rode it that
    way for about 1500 miles. We live in Colorado Springs and do alot
    of climbing and riding the passes. We found that out of phase is
    great for the drivetrain and on flats and downhills. Climbing and
    out of the saddle riding is nearly impossible out of phase. We like
    in phase much better.
    
    Drive train and parts?
    
    Mountain bike drive train seem to hold up the best on a tandem.
    I have found our Suntour XC has held up well. We have over 4000
    miles on it with no repairs. Wheels -- use strong wheels 40 to 48
    spokes. Light wheels don't hold up. Use handbuilt symmetric wheels
    don't use those machine built asymmetric wheels the rear wheel may
    not hold a dish. Parts are readily available for tandems at any
    good bike shop. And with the advent of ATBs drive train components
    are more than adaquate.
    
    Problems?
    
    My wife and I both ride a 57cm frame and the stroke top tube on
    most production tandems is to short. Santana (24 and 3/4") only
    length. This left us with considering a custome frame until we
    rode the 88 Cannondale last weekend in Boulder. It has a 29" top
    tube and the frame is about 4 pouinds lighter than a CroMo frame.
    The bike stiff and quick. Our next frame may just be a Cannondale
    (about $1500 for the frame only).
    
    Have you ever seen the Golden Aspens of Colorado?
    
    Come join us for the Aspen Fall Follage Tandem Tour -- Sept 23-25
    Aspen, Colorado. Cost is $260 per team includes 2 nights lodging,
    some meals (3 or 4), support vehicles, etc., SASE to:
    
    	Ken Reid
    	P.O. Box 9694
    	Aspen, Colorado 81612
                                                     
    Bob (A&B Tandem Team)

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
833.1	What about workstands?	GRAMPS::MATATIA		`Mon Sep 05 1988 13:02`	9
	What about work stands for Tandems? Will one clamp on worksands (like Park or Blackburn) be able to hold securely the long frame of a Tandem? I've seen a stand by Cyclepro to hold a tandem about three inches off the ground but it does this by mounting on the pedal arm. With the cyclepro, gear adjustments would be difficult sice pedal rotation is not posssible. I would like to avoid buying two park or blackburn stands if that is possible. I currently own a Minoura workstad which is useless for tandems.
833.2	one works well	BANZAI::FISHER	BMB Finisher	`Tue Sep 06 1988 05:08`	4
	I have put my tandem on my Park workstand. I clamp on the toptube behind the front saddle. ed
833.3	Low Tech first....	GUCCI::MOEN		`Wed Sep 07 1988 18:20`	11
	MY WORKSTAND COST ME $2.00.... I just placed some nails in the rafters of my basement shop and suspended the Tandem via clotheslines front and back. The frame may wiggle a little while working on it but no biggie... We also went back to Sync on the pedals. I'd rather buy parts then not be able to climb hills standing up. cm :>
833.4	More on Stands	CSC32::R_SMITH		`Fri Sep 09 1988 15:25`	8
	I agree with low tech. Even a local bike shop in colorado springs uses not the clothes line method but with adjustable nylon straps suspended from the ceiling which are less likely to break than clothes line. I use a PARK stand personally. Generally when working on the drivetrain, I clamp to the stoker downtube with front wheel resting on the floor. This is a very stable method and great if you don't need to remove the front wheel.
833.5	cheep tamden stand	OAW::BUFORD		`Fri Sep 09 1988 19:56`	12
	-< Low Cost Stand for My Santanna >- I have put hooks in my basement from these I used a old broom handles with hooks on both ends to hold the tandem level. This works to just fine and is easy to use. Hase anyone out there tryed the new bar-end click shifters on their tandem? sheldon
833.6	More on Indexed BARCONs	CSC32::R_SMITH		`Tue Sep 20 1988 13:36`	16
	I have riden and Cannondale with downtube indexed shifting Suntour style. It works fine but I think that the barcons may have some problems do to extra cable length on tandems. I know of one Santana with Deore XT 6-speed using the MTB shifter mounted on the side of the right drop. The pilot says that it works well. Shimano in 89 will have 7-speed possibly 8-speed with a redesigned cluster and new chain which will also be available in BARCON. I presently use 7-speed and not interested in the 88 offering from Suntour. I'm taking a wait and see attitude for the 89 product line. Bob Smith
833.7	Tandem on Sale?	MCIS2::DELORIEA		`Wed Sep 21 1988 10:05`	15
	I was picking up a few more things at O'Neils before they move when I noticed a Kuwahara tandem. Now I don't want one but I know someone might be looking for one on sale. Some of the details: Price $950 ,but I'm sure they'll take more off Frame 22 1/2" front - 20 1/2" rear Barcon shifters with Suntour components Rear disk brake along with front + rear cantilever Wheels 27" 40 spoke Pilot + Stroker have drop bars It looked like a good deal for someone looking for a decent tandem. TD
833.8	It is a bargain!	GRAMPS::MATATIA		`Mon Oct 03 1988 11:43`	7
	The Kuwahara is a great buy. I currently own that model which I purchased last Febuary and I paid more. If anybody is considering purchasing it, there is a review of it in an old issue of Bicycle Rider magazine. I can try to dig it up if anyone is interested. Michael (DTN 291-9650)
833.9	ACQUIRING TANDEM EXPERIENCE	SQUASH::JOHNK		`Thu Jan 05 1989 17:17`	9
	I am interested in trying some tandem riding, but the investment is too steep to go in without knowing if i would like it or if my co-rider would like it. Are there any short cuts to getting a sample of the experience such as a rental? Would an inexpensive used machine help or would it detract from the experience? Thanks
833.10		ULTRA::BURGESS		`Fri Jan 06 1989 09:59`	10
	re .9 _DON'T_ try one with out of phase pedals/cranks the first time out, it is so WEIRD that there is a good chance you'll be put off tandem riding for a long time. Reg Oh, there are some standard smart comments about the lead dog being the only one on the team that gets a change of scenery, but I don't remember the exact wording and you've probably heard them before anyway.
833.11	Is there a New England area tandem club?	VISUAL::MILLING	Bob Milling, MKO2-2/K03, 264-2068	`Mon Mar 06 1989 14:16`	5
	I saw the address for the Tandem Club of America in note 689.2. Anyone know of a New England area tandem club? Bob
833.12	New England Area TCA Reps	CSC32::R_SMITH		`Thu Mar 23 1989 10:10`	18
	Bob, I'm a member of the TCA. I think I have a membership roster somewhere. I don't know if it has other Clubs on it. I do have the New England Area TCA representatives and they are as follows: Mass, Connecticut, and Rhode Island: Peter & Tracey Carne, 668 Barry St, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine: Bob & Linda Harvey, 16 Clinton St., Salem, NH 30709 I'm sure if you contact one of these folks they can direct you to a local TANDEM CLUB. Always interested in LONG BIKE discussions. Bob Smith (Bicycle Country USA, DTN 522-4642)