Tandems of the forum

I think with the loading you would be better going for less speeds and more robust chains and rings. Tandems are hard on their drive-train.

I think with the loading you would be better going for less speeds and more robust chains and rings

This seems like a nice idea, but actually the last time chain rollers (and with them chain rings and sprockets) were wider than they are now was in the days of 8-speed. Not sure that Claris is really going to be any more durable than Ultegra :-)

True!

When you say say custom tandem, do you mean by a custom builder or from a dedicated tandem builder who does everything custom?

If you are buying from a dedicated tandem builder, they are almost certainly able to do custom geo for very little extra money (certainly our Co-Motion could have had custom geo for a little more money, but we fitted well on a standard frame sizing). Edit - just checked, it would have been about £350 extra.

'Tandem groupsets' are always a bit of a mix and match to make something that works. The backend of the drivetrain is pretty much a standard setup, though the choice of rear crankset is limited to the few companies that do a tandem setup (we have FSA Gossamer cranks and have had Middleburn before that).

Depends on what you are using the tandem for, but 11 speed begins to take you down a path that precludes a triple - fine for racing, but not so good for touring possibly. I have friends with an 11 speed Di2 setup that has a double - but that is on a zoom zoom racing tandem. I would guess they eat through rear chains fairly quickly. Many of the high end tandems out there are still being sold with 6700 Ultegra shifters and 10 speed rear dérailleur, FSA SL-K crank sets etc.).

Gates timing belts work well. We've not had any issues with ours at all (we have dual Carbon Drives).

Levers - if you are not shifting with them, then the standalone shimano ones are okay with road discs, but I find them a little uncomfortable and sharp, so need to swap them with a set of something with a wider hood that match the ones I have on the fixed (but I really can not remember what they are off the top of my head!).

11 speed begins to take you down a path that precludes a triple - fine for racing, but not so good for touring possibly

On the other hand, modern 2×11 groupsets come with MAMIL gears as an option, 34/32 is about the same as the low gear of old fashioned triples.

Having demolished my fair share of chains cassettes and chainrings on my tandem, I wouldn't even think about skinny ass 11 speed chains.

For touring purposes mind

When you say say custom tandem, do you mean by a custom builder or from a dedicated tandem builder who does everything custom?

It's a tandem made by a custom builder but their first tandem to my knowledge.

Thanks for your very comprehensive response!

No you're totally right and it's getting better, but it does depend on purpose - outside of racing tandems, triples are still very much used. Even a 34/32 is about 28 inches, which certainly loaded tandems will struggle with. We have a 19" bottom gear (equivalent to 24/34) and have used it touring.

Saw a nice jack Taylor in ruby flam outside the Crown pub on the river in broxbourne.....anyone off here? I looked in the beer garden for likely suspects, but couldn't see anyone..... No pictures, as I was ball bagged

Fastest tandem on the forum?

@xavierdisley : This is what became of your frame

Having demolished my fair share of chains cassettes and chainrings on my tandem, I wouldn't even think about skinny ass 11 speed chains.

I'm inclined to agree as I've replaced my 11 speed chains a little more regularly than my 10 speed chains.

8 speed seemed like a great option considering how much cheaper the chains are to replaced regularly in comparison.

Probably nothing and I'm sure @mdcc_tester will prove me wrong on this.

Was it as

as expected?

Yellow beast Mother ? @Polka_Dot

Nice!! I was going to ask whether you'd got it up and running or whether I should be asking to buy it back!

Fascinating

@mdcc_tester what gear (in inches please) is that?

100", 64/17

Three crews signed up for Newbury RC 10, enter online before 6pm Tuesday 9^th if you want to join in the fun. It's a Rachael Elliott production, so there should be supplies of her famous flapjack :-)

Does anyone here have a Dawes Horizon tandem? Looking to buy one and wonder how light/stiff the frame is.
Any comments appreciated.

Interesting hand position, and in an emergency the stoker can pull on the cable housing to brake :-)

Why is the front chainset a double?

I think they are using a second ring as a chainguard.

Just need to cut and shut 40mm onto the stoker TT on yours.

Probably needs more than that.

Those Matrix road frames are £1600, but the track one looks sexier and should be cheaper as it doesn't have the crabon tubes :-)