Tandem Cycling - We are now a tandem family!

On Saturday we bought a Buddy Bike fka the Love Bike. Since then we've put on about 25 miles. The bike is remarkably well made and pretty well equipped. As you can see from the photo the front fork looks like a bit of overkill. They claim it weighs 50 pounds but my unofficial weigh in shows closer to 44 as delivered. My only disappointment was the use of off road tread low pressure (65psi max) cheapo tires. I'll switch to some more road orientated tires shortly. Brake power is good - the bike has two v brakes and one rear drum brake - that is actuated from a lever on the stoker' s handlebar for reasons that I have yet to figure out.

It mounts nicely on a Bones 3 bike type trunk rack with only about a half a wheel width overlap past the Honda Accord tail. It also takes up only slightly more garage space than a regular bike. It is remarkably fast - okay it's not my Scott CR-1 - but with a dedicated stroker it can move pretty well. My son has had some issues with keeping his feet in the pedals so I've switched out the stock pedals for some Bontrager ATB's with adjustable cages. It's great for the kids who feel like they are in command. It's also good to be able to talk to the kids. My wife likes it alot too. I could complain about some lack of kneeroom but I'm going to get a 1" off set seat post and get used to raising my seat height to where I'd like to have it.

I'd appreciate recs on 26" tires suitable for a tandem and any bike repair sites that can explain how to adjust a drum brake - ours drags slightly. With that change and some high pressure tires I'm ready to show up for the weekly tandem rides to see how long we can hang.

Hi wannaride. Great setup! It is good to see a parent spending time with their kids, and cycling certainly requires that time to be spent.

We are currently using Soma "New Express" tires (http://store.somafab.com/tires.html). At $45 they are expensive. I have been happy with them on the few hundred miles I have done so far.

I have not read through what Park has to say on it but they cover other subjects very well (http://www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp?catid=14&imageField2.x=26&imageField2.y=9).

An interesting web site. Did you go with the 1.25 or the 1.75? What is the maximum pressure? I'm guessing that the wheels have to be good for at least 100psi.

Maybe I should quit thinking like a roadie, but I'm thinking about taking some longish trips and I'm always into being as efficient as possible. Now if I can only figure out where to really mount a couple of water bottles.

Nice to see someone with a BuddyBike! That is one of the shortest wheelbased tandems ever! Great for riding with kids or small adult stokers. Also works well for riding with folks who are impaired (blind, etc) and all at an affordable price.
On mounting water bottle issue: Minoura sells a clamp that you can install on handlebar and then attach bottle cage to it. Or bottle cage can be attached by using (gasp!) a radiator clamp to cage and one of the bike tubes. Tri-style bottle cages can attach to rear seat to hold one or two bottles (there may not be enough room for behind stoker saddle, but definitely will fit behind pilot's saddle). Camelback could be used by rear rider.
Must be noted this is one of the few tandem that is piloted by the 'back seat driver' (the Pino and Counterpoint-style tandems are the others).
Enjoy the ride TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

We have the 1.25 and ride them at 100-120 depending on who is on. We are range from 185-290lb team. They have ridden well so far. I have recently ended up on quite a few unpaved trails. It was nice to have the 26" tire durability along with the stronger rims for those miles. I think the best part of tandeming is the shared experience and time spent together, although the time together can highlight problems too :).

I am sure you will enjoy it for what it is and maybe even relish it.

very cool

Thanks for the post. I have not heard of those bikes before. I found it very interesting. I wish you and you son many happy miles.

I recently acquired my first tandem (used) and it has a drum brake on it. Mine also rubs but very slightly. I don't think it affects performance any. I don't really have nay useful information about it though, sigh.

Thanks Masiman. The Soma' s sound great and I have found no 26" tires that allow more than 90 PSI. My next move will be to an offset seat post to allow for a bit more knee room.

I'll find out about the drum brake and report further.

Just got back from a great trip to Arizona zonatandem. What a great time of year to be there! Loved it.