Tandem Cycling - early 80's Schwinn Twin Sport

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Mike45
03-23-06, 10:43 AM
I have recently been re-biten by the bicycling bug. I just got a new half bike but I want to get my wife to ride with me so I want to dust off my old tandem. (spent all my money on the half so no real $$ available for a new tandem)

As mentioned in the title I have an early 80's (maybe late 70's) Schwinn Twinn Sport (10 speed). This 52lb jewel has been hanging in my shed for 20 some years. For sure it needs new tires and tubes and lube of all sorts. My plan is to take it to my LBS and get a quote on a tune up.

Is this steel beast worth spending the $$ on to make it ridable again?

I don't know anything about the guts inside the rear drum brake. Is that going to be expensive to repair/replace if it is bad?

Will I/we be able to keep up with my half bike road riding friends if my wife/stoker isn't contributing much in the begininng? (they ride ~18 mph)

Thanks,
Mike

Retro Grouch
03-23-06, 11:18 AM
Honestly, I can't imagine somebody whose used to riding wit a group of friends at 18mph being happy riding that Schwinn Twinn. I'd seriously question the wisdom of spending shop prices to overhaul that bike.

The Atom hub brake is pretty simple. Unless your brake shoes are completely worn there's not much you can do to service it. My wife and I rode a Schwinn Twinn, with hub brake, for about 7 or 8 years and never wore out the shoes on ours.

I don't know if youll be able to keep up with your friends but, unless you make your wife really mad, I can guarantee that you'll always have somebody to talk with as you ride.
zonatandem
03-23-06, 08:44 PM
If you can hang in with your friends at 18 mph on a Schwinn Twinn . . . you're my hero! . . . but feel sorry for your stoker.

tandemonium
03-24-06, 06:41 AM
Rebuild it and use the Twinn within it's limitations. That tandem can be a lot of fun while you both get exercise. I agree that you won't keep up with the the roadies. But- you might not care either.
Mike45
03-24-06, 06:49 AM
If you can hang in with your friends at 18 mph on a Schwinn Twinn . . . you're my hero! . . . but feel sorry for your stoker.

There was a day (many years ago) when I could smoke all my friends while riding that steel (cast iron perhaps) beast by myself. The trick was to pick a hilly route and kill them on the downhill. Gravity can be your friend if you are on a heavy bike. Those days are past....perhaps with a couple years of base miles I might come close.