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This is still the Dawes. Just going with it - from memory I think the Sputnik is only .5mm wider external than the 719 that's on there at the moment so it shouldn't be noticeable once I've worn the (new) pads down a bit (which shouldn't take too long in the alps :)
The sputnik wasn't particularly heavily researched, I think I found one particularly glowing blog write-up and that was enough for me. It was more a good price (£25!) for what looks like a solid construction and 40h was easily available (from spa cycles). This year seems to have gone from having 'loads of time to prep' to 'no time at all to prep, throw money at things and hope everything turns out ok' very quickly. The tandem is looking blingy with its new Dura Ace headset though, so there's that.
I hopefully pick the wheel up tomorrow, then we're off to catch the European Bike Express on Friday, and wake up in Montpellier Saturday morning.
As an aside, the sputnik marks the beginning of the fifth set of wheels for this bike in my time of ownership!
(The original knackered wheels, first set of 36h deore/319s that lasted one tour, warrantyed to a second set of 319s for second tour, which stood up better but we killed the rear after shifting the chain into the spokes, then the 40h orbit/719s, and now this rigida/son on the front.)
Tandemming is a silly habit.
6pt-
I hopefully pick the wheel up tomorrow, then we're off to catch the European Bike Express on Friday, and wake up in Montpellier Saturday morning.
I'm so pleased, good job I didn't miss that detail! (Thought I'd missed that hadn't you).
Will get in touch with Rad Bikes (new wheel for £25 + spokes is a bargain) and see what they can do. Might just get Spa to build it as they already have the rim and P&P will presumably be ££.
This is set 3 for us and we've neither had it as long nor ridden as far as you guys! In fairness to our communal expensive habit, that includes the originals (bent axles and all) and a move onto a dynamo front (went 36h, will let everyone know if I eat tarmac or not!).Hadn't heard of the European Bike Express before, great that they take tandems. Will be suggesting that for next year's summer holiday!
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This is still the Dawes. Just going with it - from memory I think the Sputnik is only .5mm wider external than the 719 that's on there at the moment so it shouldn't be noticeable once I've worn the (new) pads down a bit (which shouldn't take too long in the alps :)
Just spotted that Koolstop do some low profile V-brake pads, might give those a try when this set die.
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wake up in Montpellier
You've not caught the European Bike Express before, have you?
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Went with JD Tandems. We're quite heavy and I hate repairing spokes so trust was a big part of it. Ended up with their G6000 rim which is stiff as anything.
PS bloody hell, wouldn't like that without a drum brake... Chapeau!
hamrack
andyp
Sputnik was definitely on the cards and its useful to know it's still available in 40h (for the time being. Have seem some slightly deeper rims suggested too - Velocity Chukker by DCR, Alex G6000 by JD Tandems. I guess the idea is the rim rigidity helps the wheel, but they all look pricey compared with the bombproof Sputnik. I guess there's my answer...
On another tack, is this for your Dawes? We have an A319 (25 mm external) running on the front and the V-brakes are sitting very wide to fit around the 25 mm rim. Are you just going with it or have you done something exciting to overcome that?