Originally Posted by
DubT
Here is what works best for us: I get on the bike and have the right pedals down (cranks in phase) I straddle the top tube, she gets on, I clip my right foot in and then she clips her right foot in. We then rotate our right pedals into the 1:00 o'clock position and I say ready, she responds and we push off together. I clip my left foot in as soon as i can and then rotate the left pedal down and she clips in and off we go. It sounds more complicated than it actually is but it's safer for us.
Using the method you describe dictates the tandem be fitted such that the stoker be able to touch the ground when stopped. I do not claim to be an expert, but I don't believe (though I could be wrong) most tandems are fitted that way. In the case of my
1984 Davidson tandem, I accommodated fitting my wife by putting shortened cranks on the bike. There is no way she could touch the ground on that bike with the seat tube length as it is.