Originally Posted by fietsbob

shimano sells so much components to the bike frame factories, these days,
it is often 'the standard'

tandem hubs from other companies are made , they often cost much more.
Thanks fietsbob.
Freehub . the freewheel is a component of the hub, axle bearings on the extreme ends.

freewheels screw onto the hubs-shell,there is a good amount
of un supported axle past the right bearing in the hub..
you taken the rear wheel out... ever?

Yes. Not on the tandem. I plan to do this tomorrow morning. I have to count the Stoker triple and then the rear, to check what setup I have and equipment. The rear could be a suntour, if so I should be able to replace it. I will replace the rear derailler as I feel it is in need of the change to create smoother changes. It is not a click system but a smooth system.

+1 on putting the drag brake on a ratcheting , sun tour bar end shifter.
the ratchet pawls will let you set the brake and have it stay in a drag mode ,
,while you use both hands on the rim brakes.
then you can separate the duplex brake lever for the rim brakes into individual

front and rear brake levers. Pointers taken. Thanks.

your brakes are a roller cam type, the brake lever is what would be old style road brakes ..
cable out the top, I'd think the cable pull leverage a better match,
so single up the duplex lever to 1 cable , ..
aero type levers likely pull too little cable..

the nature of leverage..
fulcrum closer to the work/ longer effort arm.