[cornucopia72]

We use to have drop bars for the stoker on our old Burley Duet. Our 2005 Santana soverign and our 2002 Santana Cabrio came with bull horn bars and since then my wife has gotten used to them. Yesterday, after a spirited ride with a group of racers and ex-racers, my wife asked me if we could go back to the drop bars. She thinks that she can put more muscle into her stroke minimizing draft if she is down on the drops. It makes sense to me, but we want to ask go fast teams (crussing at 20+ MPH) that have drop bars if the stoker likes them and uses them.

Thanks

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[Hermes]

We are in the same situation as you vis a vis stoker handlebars. My theory is the power trumps aero, aero trumps weight, weight issues are for weight weenies and the stoker is always right. I suggested to my stoker that she find the position that produces the most power. Having said that, she has to get more aero for the upcoming 40K TT and she agrees. So I am going to get stoker drops or lower her current bars for the races.

I think the operative statement in your post is that "she thinks she can produce more power in the drops". I vote; give it to her.:)

[Retro Grouch]

So try some out. The very worst thing that can happen is she will decide that she doesn't like them and you can switch back. Make sure that you get drops that are wide enough to clear your legs.

[Fenlason]

Our 92 Soverign came with Drop bars... as did our much earlier Franklin, when I saw a bunch of new bikes coming with the bullhorns, I was not thrilled... but also figured it was not that bike a deal to switch them out. Our new Beyond came with the bullhorns, I thought I would let my stoker try them first. She really likes them, and has asked if I could put them on the Soverign also.

We are a go fast team, and from my perspective, her power output has not changed, for the worse with the new bars. She is more comfortable, and while not any huge difference we did loose weight also. It seems like a win-win, in our case anyways.

glenn

[transam]

Our Santana Sovereign has bull horn bars for the stoker and they do just fine for our daily rides (18-20). When we ride with the local club (20+) we use the Co-Motion Supremo with stoker drop bars. My wife really likes them just for the reasons you mention. We've even toyed with the idea of setting up both bike with drops, but we'll see.

[DBC Steve]

As a fairly new tandem team that occasionally drops below 20 mph -- for stop signs as an example -- my stoker much prefers the position of her bullhorn bar to the drop bar on her half bike. Her opinion is that comfort contributes to increased speed for longer rides. Universal tandem rule applies.

[TandemGeek]

http://www.thetandemlink.com/bull.jpg

[Hermes]

Sometimes a pic is worth a thousand words;) ...check out the equipment and riding positions of captain and stoker. Here are pics of the tandem teams from our second time trial.

Here is the winner riding a Habaner - Captain: Cat Pro -- Stoker: Cat 3. Met this team here and at the Berkeley Team TT. They also won at Berkeley.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/BTTWinner.jpg

2nd place riding a Santana - Captain: Cat 3 -- Stoker: Unknown.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/BTT2nd.jpg

3rd place, us, riding Santana lost 2nd place by 20 seconds:mad: . - Captain: Cat 5 -- Stoker: Cat 4

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/BtCMarTTFinal.jpg

[Hermes]

occasionally drops below 20 mph -- for stop signs as an example.

You guys are beasts…you should enter the NorCal/NV Time Trial Championships June 10th at Lake Tahoe 40K TT with tandem category http://www.ncnca.org/road/. We will be there.:)

[regomatic]

We tried Bullhorns on our new bike. Stoker wanted her drop bars and dummy hoods back, end of debate.

Unlike the racers picture above, she rides on the tops of the bars or the hoods, in a more upright position for the more social parts of our club rides and touring. When we get to the "speed zone" or pull into a strong headwind she goes to the drops and tucks in. It's usually good for 1-2 MPH when we need it most.

[zonatandem]

Stoker Kay has always used dropbars on all of our tandems. She enjoys the extra hand postions drops offer and uses round stoker handrests.
When we used to hammer (a decade ago) she'd get into the tuck position and pull on the bars . . . quite effective.
Have only done a few time trials on tandem and beat a young couple (20 years our junior) . . . not by strength or aero, but by a bit of luck and bike design. Had a U-turn at midpoint of the TT on a narrow 2 lane road. We then had a 60 1/4" wheelbase tandem; we managed the U-turn fine with about an inch of pavement to spare, while the young hotshots ended up off-road. Guile can trump youth!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem