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Raedeke
05-27-07, 03:10 PM
I have a older Burley Tandem that my 6 year old and I ride together.
It has the kids crank kit on the rear seat tube - but does not free-wheel.
She does a great job for about 10 to 15 miles, but the last 20% of the ride it's as if I've got the brakes on.
Her legs just start to tire which just means I'm not only pushing the 60lb bike, her 40lbs, my 195lbs, but also her legs which seem to be trying to stop me.. so, she has taken to putting her feet up on the bar.
Not very safe, but I can then finish our ride with out problems.

Does anyone have suggestions on a device that I can install for her to put her feet on?
Yes, getting her used to longer miles by riding longer is the long term fix, but we are thinking of riding the Elephant Rock next week and I'd love to take her along... but this would mean a few mile (10 to 15) with her feet up.

Anyone have any suggestions?
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=45836&stc=1&d=1180300088

zonatandem
05-27-07, 04:46 PM
Two do-able solutions:
1. Attach a pair of *foldable* motorcycle footrest pegs to lateral tube. When she needs to rest feet/coast, she can unfold the pegs and put feet on 'em.
2. Get rid of the bottle cage on stoker's internal lateral tube (the one nearest pilot seattube). Get a piece of wood (1 x 2", 7" inches long would do just fine). This will become a non-foldable temporary footrest by drilling a hole and attaching a longer bolt into the waterbottle boss . . . pick either water bottle boss depending on stoker's leg reach. Not highly technical, but do-able.
BTW don't believe that the 'old Duet' is a '60-lb bike' unless you're carrying a full set of encyclopedias or lead weights in those panniers!
A good-looking tandem duo and kudos to daughter for being a lively stoker!
Hope this helps.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Ben There
05-29-07, 08:34 AM
On an old schwinn tandem,I attached a board to the stoker top-tube using wood screws and pipe-hnger-strap (thin metal strip with lots of holes in it). My son had no chance of reaching the pedals and rode this way the whole ride. He loved it and we got lottsa laughs on the trail!