Tandems of the forum

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.

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!

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.

No-one I've mentioned it to has heard of it either, but @tricitybendix assures me it's been running forever. One of those hidden old-school gems :) We've done enough of all the bits rideable in two weeks from London so it's nice to cut out the same-old and see something new without having to work out how to get the bike on a train/plane. Will report back once we emerge at the other end of it all!

Just spotted that Koolstop do some low profile V-brake pads

That looks interesting – I'm using swissstops again this year as they've done us well previously, but will go to those if I run out of room. The front split pins are a pain to insert in the shoes due to clearance, it's all a bit tight in there.

This year's plan was London - Harwich -Ferry- Rotterdam - Dieppe -Ferry- Newport - London but lab work has got in the way. Would be very interesting to hear how it goes!

PS do you still have your set of (stupid BCD) Stronglight cranks lying around? Might have borked the stoker DS crank slightly...

yeah somewhere. not ventured into the shed this year (or last year, really), but if they float to the surface I'll put em to one side.
That's a nice itinerary - we haven't been that far north, only dipped into zeeland on our way to munich (and back) a few years ago. I quite like the idea of starting far and heading home, all of ours have been starting near and then heading to a far ferry to get us back.

Had time to recable the tandem I'm sharing with a friend(it's mine but I have no space so leave it at hers and her kid sits on the back lots). But yeah looks better with orange+brown.

Hello fellow tandem owners (I have an old Pashley E type), I'm wondering if any of you have in your spares boxes a stoker left side crank arm? Need just the one for a fun build and to test an idea so looking for something cheap before gong for a £50 new option.

I think I have something in a box that could work. Might be an odd length though. Will look tonight for you.

Cottered?

wake up in Montpellier

You've not caught the European Bike Express before, have you?

Nope. Please elaborate... I'm expecting negative leg room, snoring CTCers, and a few noisy stops on the way. have some earphones to at least deal with the latter.

Yeah, all of that. It wasn't fun, noisy people, frequent stops and uncomfortable bus. Got dumped just south of Lyon at 6 am, found a park bench to get some kip on for a couple of hours.

But at least you got to Lyon! Hmm. Sucks a bit that we're (I think) the last stop on the run then :/ Our first day is a flat one so shouldn't be a problem hitting it a little tired. Will have a kip stop in mind though.

Cool, thank you for looking interested to see what you have.

@7ven nope, square taper is what I'm after.

Love it there. Great roast.

It's a new coach! Comfy, quiet, I've got more than enough leg room and there's USB chargers between the seats. Confusingly civilised. Tandem safely stowed in the bowels of the trailer. Next stop Dover, then all the other stops, then Montpellier.

That's good to hear/read.

Hope you had a decent night's kip.

Never tried the roast but everything I have would indicate it'd be lovely. Perfect stop off on the Green Wheel!

Tandem somewhere. We're currently chilling on the coast of Italy but heading back into some mountains proper tomorrow. Once you get used to flat-out climbing at ~4mph and praying the grade doesn't break 12% the long stuff isn't too bad, just takes* forever*.

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Jesus man, enjoying your tour via instagram, you're living the dream (or my interpretation of the dream). Looks amazing

It is pretty great, but feels funny allocating a whole day for just 40 miles. Tenting with the humidity we've got here right now can >>> though.

Up the easy side, and faced death going down the twisty one with about 10m visibility and hail. Confronted my rim brake alpine descent in the wet fear and survived, but never again.

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Fack, sounds terrifying