[becnal]

I just counted and was surprised to see that my tandem's rear wheel has only 36 spokes. Is that really unusual for a tandem? Does that mean that my tandem was made by some guy just splicing together two normal bikes? It's a Romani, and I haven't been able to find anything on the web about Romani tandems.

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[TandemGeek]

Is that really unusual for a tandem?

No, particularly for a tandem with 26" wheels. That doesn't mean the wheels are tandem-specific, but then again few if any low-end tandems use high-end tandem-specific parts. It is what it is and I believe you knew that going in based on your first post regarding this find on Ebay.

[becnal]

No, not particularly unusual for a tandem with 26" wheels. That doesn't mean the wheels are tandem-specific, but then again few if any low-end tandems use high-end tandem-specific parts. It is what it is and I believe you knew that going in based on your first post regarding this find on Ebay.

Whew, good, thanks TandemGeek. I feel better. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't the only guy in the world with a tandem with so few spokes. :)

[TandemGeek]

So long as the wheels are kept true and evenly tensioned, wheel durability usually isn't a problem

FWIW, we've never had more than 36h on our off-road tandem wheelsets... and they regularly get bashed into all kinds of things.

http://www.thetandemlink.com/Images/gallery/ventana_websm.jpg

[bikeriderdave]

A bicycle wheel is a system. The number of spokes is but one of many factors that add up to robust or troublesome wheels. Build quality is a HUGE factor invisible to all but the experienced or well-trained eye. FWIW, none of our three tandems has wheels with more than 36 spokes, yet none of the wheels has ever required more than minor "touch-up" truing. Should you be concerned about your wheels? Hard to say, since you don't really know their "pedigree." It'll probably be enough to keep an eye on them and take them to a reputable wheel builder if/when they first need truing. If the spokes, rims, and hubs are well-matched and decent quality, correct and even spoke tension will go a long way toward ensuring long and trouble-free service.

[becnal]

Thanks very much indeed to both of you, TandemGeek and BikeriderDave, for putting my mind at ease. I guess I was assuming all tandems had 48 spokes.

I probably will go ahead then in the next few months and build myself a new rear wheel, with 36 spokes, so that I'll be able to employ a quick release and use my Bob Yak.

[ElRey]

SHimano's tandem "racing" wheels are 16 spoke.

[sch]

CoMotion uses Rolf's tandem wheels on their light weights, which
are pretty sparse on the spoke count:
http://www.co-motion.com/supr.html

[zonatandem]

Been using 36 spokers since 1975 on all our tandems with either 27" and 700c wheels; current tandem has 32H front and 36H rear.
As stated previously: an expert wheel builder is a big +!
Shim and Rolf have out lo-count wheels and Topolino is coming out with tandem specific wheelset with 24 front and 30 rear, with c/f spokes.

[stapfam]

Been using 36 spokers since 1975 on all our tandems with either 27" and 700c wheels; current tandem has 32H front and 36H rear.
As stated previously: an expert wheel builder is a big +!
Shim and Rolf have out lo-count wheels and Topolino is coming out with tandem specific wheelset with 24 front and 30 rear, with c/f spokes.


That is the thing. A well built wheel is what you want on any Tandem. Not just the top end ones. These things put strain on ordinary wheels on hitting bumps and on cornering. If thewheel is not well enough built and strong enough- you will soon know about it.