Tandem - should I?

Awesome !!!!

Looks amazing.

Here is the tandem I built for my son and I.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o76/gg__allin/IMG_1132.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o76/gg__allin/IMG_1131.jpg

tailwip?

I bought a tandem recently, and rode it on the tweed run. I've only done about 200 miles on it so far, but it's brilliant fun. In my experience, easiest way to mount is one at a time, and carefully. Starting, stoker keeps feet on the ground, captain puts feet on pedals. Nice low gear, captain starts pedalling. Stoker supports and only takes feet off the ground when the bike is moving.

I seem to be incapable of being the stoker. I don't seem to be able to relax properly on the back. It is important that the captain keeps the bike upright. I'm not really sure how to do the whole stoker thing, but whenever I try, the bike gets about 5metres and then wobbles uncontrolably. Not good.

I seem to be incapable of being the stoker. I don't seem to be able to relax properly on the back. It is important that the captain keeps the bike upright. I'm not really sure how to do the whole stoker thing, but whenever I try, the bike gets about 5metres and then wobbles uncontrolably. Not good.

having never rid a tandem, my advice is probably about as useless as the advice of someone who's never been on a bicycle. That being said, Sheldon (and others) have said it is often easier to get a bit more relaxed as a stoke if you hold on to the captain's hips/waist, rather than the bars (which, I guess, makes you very tense and encourages you to try and steer).

What size is the tandem you've got? Maybe it would be a good idea for me and my girlfriend to try and do a few laps of a park here in London before embarking on our long ride home.

And that S&M tandem is retarded (in the best of ways!)

This thread is made of pure, doublelength win.

Great news horatio.

My experiences with the 'half a bike' with my kid on board is that I prefer to straddle the bike first, then the stoker gets on afterwards. Helps me control his weight better than gettin on after him, since the bars can be held firmly to prevent the fork from turning around uncontrollably.

Would have like to see mc_neb's on the tweedy run.

Yeah the BMX is mental. Wonderfully so.

Sheldon (and others) have said it is often easier to get a bit more relaxed as a stoke if you hold on to the captain's hips/waist, rather than the bars

This is very true. You'll be fine on it - they aren't that hard to work out. First time I used one, there were no bars for the stoker which probably made it easier. They are so much fun.

GG Allin that is immense! is that santa cruz by the way?

having never rid a tandem, my advice is probably about as useless as the advice of someone who's never been on a bicycle. That being said, Sheldon (and others) have said it is often easier to get a bit more relaxed as a stoke if you hold on to the captain's hips/waist, rather than the bars (which, I guess, makes you very tense and encourages you to try and steer).

What size is the tandem you've got? Maybe it would be a good idea for me and my girlfriend to try and do a few laps of a park here in London before embarking on our long ride home.

No idea on the size, around a 57 front, 56 rear, I think. It's not in London either. I'm only at uni here, and it lives at home (only about 30 miles, but not london.) Sorry.

Here's a tweedy picture:

Anyone got a tandem they'd exchange a couple laps of a park for a couple pints of beer?

anyone ridden a fixed tandem on the road? whats it like?

ive got two matching peugeots in my garage ive been thinking of fusing togather to make into a shonky two man. was think of trying it fixed as its alot easier (and cheaper) to build.

Tandem mandem!

This thread is full of win and makes me happy.
When I have a bigger place I'm so buying a tandem..I WILL get MOC on a bike if its the last thing I do!

I just bought a touring tandem. Mixture of excitement and embarrassment right now. It's in Devon, and we're planning to take the train out there, and ride it back (did the same ride, minus 30 miles, this time last year, except road from London to Devon. Will be nice to revisit it). Seems to be in good condition (recently upgrade to mostly Deore bits) and the right size for the two of us.

The excitement is beating out the embarrassment.

Heh. Next you'll be inventing tandem polo. :)

Horatio, do you mind if i ask how much it was?

Tandem is the new 'I want to find the prince on the white horse'- for people with a need of orgies...

Yes...you should.

Horatio, do you mind if i ask how much it was?

£360 complete with mostly 2006ish Deore, and, apparently, ready to ride. I've seen them go for more in similar condition (and less when they need work done). There was one on the forum recently (an MKM - http://www.lfgss.com/thread38461.html) that I liked the look of. Was £350, but the components on the one I got make me me happier (slightly higher end/more heavy duty, triple front rather than double, newer bits, canti brakes, etc.).

So yeah, I think that's around being the right price/a good deal?

looks good to me.

I met a couple of guys touring on a tandem trike once. Mad.

Just had a go on edmundro's tandem. Fucking awesome. Much easier than I thought it was going to be, and much bigger smiles. Cheers, dude!

Tandems = win.

Are you coming on your tandem next Sunday?

Nope, picking it up on the 6th. Would be awesome though.

Next time!

build one!!