Tandems of the forum

Probably too far from you but we're 6'2 / 5'4, and you're welcome to borrow our Orbit for your trip, it's not being used atm. Not as nice as @6pt 's one, and not currently set with drops (also has kiddy cranks), but with a bit of prep you'd be fine I suppose.

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Was actually coming here to say that Deen's garage in Beckenham currently have (or still had last week, been there a while) a nice and interesting Trek, steel frame made in US, in excellent condition, looked almost unused from what I could see. £600 seemed a little steep but what do I know.

Sorry for the crap picture, when I thought then about posting it here I was rushing and the other side of the road, will try to take another picture at some point.

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(I don't know anyone from that shop btw, I don't use them)

I’ve been looking at that as I pass for months. Still think it’s over priced.

Corrected my text above, meant steep not steel, and good to see the feeling is shared. Don't know if they 're going to drop the price, or accept offers.
Do you ever use that shop? Had a wheel relaced around the time we moved here, nothing to complain about the quality of the work, but it wasn't overly pleasant to deal with them, I think I also bought a tire once...
Found the guy in Coney Hall much nicer, tend to go there if I need something.

I don’t, I share your sentiment on it not being a pleasant experience. The main guy in there treats everyone equally, I.e. he’s the expert and you know nothing.

nice whip

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326105361178

Framebag heaven!

Picked this up today as abit of an impulse purchase. I know nothing about tandems and look forward to getting used to it. Maiden voyage back from the shop aided with a few pints of courage and had to pick our way through the Man Utd crowds. Hopefully it get less stressful??

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Framebag heaven!

Either that's well overpriced, or I should sell mine and cash in.

well overpriced

Yeah, somebody is about to find out just how much you lose on a new tandem

Yeah, ‘Best Offer’ likely be about 10-15% of that asking price.

@Pmccee that Longstaff number is lovely. Hope you have many happy miles on it.

Not quite sure why the stoker has levers rather than just hoods though. A flappy bit of ally too near the pilot’s legs when mounting.

I paid about 1400 for mine of a similar spec come years back.

It is lovely. We managed a little jaunt yesterday on it and already identified a few issues from a comfort perspective! Only managed to have one incident on a roundabout with a dozy driver...

Stoker wants a flat bar for easy access to the brakes (which from my understanding are really only for descending / emergency situations) as she doesn't like drop bar / hoods. Glad I've now got 3 x cantilever brakes to mess around with...

I'll also need some narrower bars, previous owner was seemingly a giant. The Cinelli Giro Italia bars that are fitted are lovely though which is a shame.

Tyres, will try and squeeze some 32mm, debating putting on some relatively new Gp5000's but might be prudent to go for something abit more robust. Recommendations welcome!

Comically my frame pump is also too small to fit on the top tube.

Oh stoker gets an actual brake? Assumed just honking hoods not connected.

Yes weird, three cantis and a drum brake too! So pilot controls front and rearmost cantis, and stoker controls inner rear canti and drum. So many cables!

Nice, enjoy these first rides, they are such special moments!

On thing I'd say is that if you ever want to ride it loaded, wide bars are helpful with leverage and control. With tandems the less twitchy the nicer for everyone involved, and the fully loaded experienced is hard to imagine until you try it.

Kind of same with the tyres, good thinking to consider something sturdy. For touring I like Marathon Almotions, they're solid and fast — once they break in. Even then, wear was significant on a loaded bike.

@Skülly Yeah 4 brakes seemed a lot to me also! We've already established early on after a slight miscommunication that the only circumstances they should be applied is when directly instructed or if the pilot has gone awol. Recabling will be a chore, a good excuse to invest in that 3rd hand tool though.

@ough noted about the touring bar width! My traps were howling yesterday though using the 46cm bars - not sure if it was the width, shape or just being so tense on them in all honesty. Will try these Nitto bars , hoping I can get the brake levers flatish as I have with all my other modern bikes.

I can believe it! Comms (calm!) are everything on a tandem.

Comms (calm!)

But clear. Figure out what words mean before starting, ideally one's a dog could understand since the captain is not well placed for nuanced vocalisation.

I'd only keep the drum at the back if I were you!

Conti Contact Urban might be a good shout for tyres if there's room.

Glad we kept all the brakes! Managed to hobble them somewhat with all the late night fettling due to late deliveries. Ended up taking an age.

Replaced bars, brakes, cables, grips & saddle for the stoker.
Bars, stem, tape, cables & saddle for myself up front.

Shakedown ride was however a success inspire of the poor braking. A relatively flat road / canal cruise had us ticking along effortlessly and comfortably. Just need some new tyres and were set. Definitely leaning towards the 35mm contact plus. Put on the 32mm gp5000s and was wincing at some of the canal rougher sections..

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😍

This thing looks amazing! And I never realised there was a tandem thread.

I’ve recently got the tandem bug with a friend after he built his own tandem and we took it for its first proper long ride around the Highlands last week.

Riding takes a fair bit more communication than I realised but we seem to be getting into a good rhythm. Bombing the long, open descents is incredible fun.

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