Tandem Cycling - rear disk brake adaptor for Burley

I understand that someone makes an adaptor that screws onto my threaded hub in order to mount a disk brake. Does anyone know about this and is it truth or fiction? Also wonder if disk would be better than the usual drag brake that burleys are already set up for? I just assume the disk would be lighter and more effiecient.
thanks, R Long

I have seen some for various applications, even on ebay. Be patient, Rudy and Mark will have to answer this one.

Yes, they exist. Dimension produced one for Santana's early Formula disc brake installations which is available from most tandem dealers.
http://tandem-fahren.de/Mitglieder/Christoph_Timm/diskadna.jpg

However, the Dimension model isn't always a precise fit, depending on which type of hub you are using and the rear wheel spacing on your tandem. So, what you'd want to do is to send a note to Mark Johnson at Precision Tandems and tell him what year / model Burley tandem and what brand/model of hub you are using. He stocks a wide variety of the various adapters and will be able to recommend the right combination of rotor and caliper adapter.

His Email is: infoviaweb@precisiontandems.com
Website: http://www.precisiontandems.com

As for using a disc as a drag brake, if you need or want a true drag brake go with the Arai drum. If you are looking to have a disc brake "just in case" for the occasional steep descent, for its wet weather performance, etc... and are a lightweight team the Avid BB7 would probably work out just fine. However, in this application the disc is usually set up as the primary rear brake instead of as a supplemental brake controlled by an extra brake lever (usually a thumb shifter controlled by the captain or stoker).

Again, I'd recommend a phone call to Mark who will be able to talk about your needs and the hardware needed to make your mod, to include some special mods that will improve the performance of the Avid mech. disc brake if you decide to go that route.

Yes, they exist. Dimension produced one for Santana's early Formula disc brake installations which is available from most tandem dealers.
http://tandem-fahren.de/Mitglieder/Christoph_Timm/diskadna.jpg

However, the Dimension model isn't always a precise fit, depending on which type of hub you are using and the rear wheel spacing on your tandem. So, what you'd want to do is to send a note to Mark Johnson at Precision Tandems and tell him what year / model Burley tandem and what brand/model of hub you are using. He stocks a wide variety of the various adapters and will be able to recommend the right combination of rotor and caliper adapter.

His Email is: infoviaweb@precisiontandems.com
Website: http://www.precisiontandems.com

As for using a disc as a drag brake, if you need or want a true drag brake go with the Arai drum. If you are looking to have a disc brake "just in case" for the occasional steep descent, for its wet weather performance, etc... and are a lightweight team the Avid BB7 would probably work out just fine. However, in this application the disc is usually set up as the primary rear brake instead of as a supplemental brake controlled by an extra brake lever (usually a thumb shifter controlled by the captain or stoker).

Again, I'd recommend a phone call to Mark who will be able to talk about your needs and the hardware needed to make your mod, to include some special mods that will improve the performance of the Avid mech. disc brake if you decide to go that route.

TandemGeek
Upon further reading about the current state of disk brakes on tandems, I believe that the Arai drum brake might be the best solution for us. My wife simply doesn't like to go downhill very fast. Also, the bike has cantiliver brakes (shimano Deore LX and pads) and I'm not real impressed with their stopping power. Thanks for the reference to Mark

Replace the pads with Kool Stop pads.

Replace the pads with Kool Stop pads.
Thanks for the tip. I will do that.

Replace the pads with Kool Stop pads.

More specifically, Koolstop's dual compound or all salmon-colored (Scott Mathauser)
compound brake pads...

http://www.koolstop.com/brakes/index.html