Tandem Cycling - Tire Advice for Tandem

We just got our first tandem....an 05 Burley Duet. It was barely ridden 1 summer by the teenage daughters of my LBS owner, who got their new ride for the year last week, and I got a great deal on last years bike. Essentially brand new, since it's only got about 200 miles on it.

The question I have, is that the bike has 700 x 23 tires on it, and I'm wondering if we would be happier with the ride to go ahead and swap out the 23's for something a little bigger and smoother. The problem we've got, is that coming from our background on singles, the ride doesn't seem bad to us at all, but it makes sense that it could probably be made better with different tires.

What would you do...replace them now, or wear them out and then replace with larger tires?

What would you do...replace them now, or wear them out and then replace with larger tires?

Try them first, see how you get on, and if you have any problems with them. Then change if not suitable.

I'll bet you'd be happier (and have less problems) with 28s. I recommend Conti Ultra-Gatorskins. They're tough, long lasting and reasonably comfortable. They seem to be a favorite of a lot of tandem teams.

This decision depends on the team weight, riding style and condition of your roads. That said, we've been using Conti Ultra Gatorskins 28s on our Burley Rumba.

We prefer comfort over speed and some of the roads are bumpy out in the country. We're about a 350 lb team.

Conti Gatorskins have sort of become the defacto standard for 700C wheels. A good, inexpensive alternative is the Panaracer Pasela TG at about half the price. Panaracers tend to come a bit undersized, so you may want to try a 30 or 32mm width. In my opinion, 23s are pretty narrow for a tandem for general riding.

We've been running Vittoria Courier 23's for a few years now and they hold up pretty well. We're a 350+ team and ride on fairly smooth roads. It all depends on what feels better to you.

Rode 23mm tires for years. Now in our 'old age' we've switched to 25mm Maxxis Detonnator (foldable) tires. We are a 250 lbs team and been tandeming 30+ years.
Yours and stoker's comfort level will let you know if you want a wider tires. Another option is to run 23mm front/25mm (or wider) rear for a bit 'softer ride' for stoker.
Lotsa choices . . . and welcome to the world of tandems! Enjoy!

Pedal on TWOgetyher!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Panaracers tend to come a bit undersized, so you may want to try a 30 or 32mm width.

Looks like Panaracer is transitioning to more accurate sizing. Can be tricky, though -- order a "32" and it might really be a 32 (if it's newer stock) or skinnier than other makers' 28s (if it's older). Great vallue tire, but careful on the sizing!

-Greg

Conti Gatorskins have sort of become the defacto standard for 700C wheels. A good, inexpensive alternative is the Panaracer Pasela TG at about half the price. Panaracers tend to come a bit undersized, so you may want to try a 30 or 32mm width. In my opinion, 23s are pretty narrow for a tandem for general riding.

For a foldable alternative similar to the Gatorskins, try the Conti Grand Prix 4 Season. I think the Gatorskins foldable only comes in a size 23 now.

I'm with everybody else: go to 28mm Gatorskins, they're failrly cheap, durable and handle as well as the expensive racing tires I tried last year. And more suple!!!! 23s for racing maybe....

Conti Ultra-Gatorskins for us, but in a 700x25 size. We weigh in at 320 pounds and get good mileage on them.

The ultra-gatorskins definitely seem to be a popular choice. We have been using them as winter tires and like their long wear and resistance to flats. We switched back to Michelin Pro Race 25s today, though (Solvang Double is Saturday), and while they may not last as long, they sure do feel nice. Smoother, quieter, more supple. Give them a try sometime.

team weight factors .. for a nice cheap ride the tandem IRC .. its a 700 /30 .. stickey for days and smooth.

I am willing to try the gator skins. also. Im not too worried about speed we seem to dust most of who we ride with any way.