[SpeedGracer]

Here's a pic of the lovely tandem we scored on Craigslist:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r151/Meekola/tandem.jpg

Now we have to learn to ride it ;)

So far the cap't (me hubby) has ridden it solo. He's still getting used to the size of this boat. I was hoping to find an experienced tandem team in my area, unfortunately there isn't one through TCA (which is surprising since we're in Los Angeles!). Any other leads on where I can find other tandems in my area?

Also, I would love to put a rack on the bike to hold a child seat. We have a little time since I want to make sure we're 100% comfortable before putting our child on it. However, it looks like the Cantilever brakes might be in the way. Are these types of brakes common on tandems vs. road brakes?

Also, are there computers that have a single sensor, but two monitors? Can one be rigged?

Thanks!

Grace

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[Aemmer]

Sweet Davidson. Congratulations on your new ride. I have had sucess putting a rack on the back of our tandem (U brake) and my old mtn bike (cantelivers). I think you will find a rack will fit fine.

[TandemGeek]

Any other leads on where I can find other tandems in my area? Start another new thread on this list entitled: Any Other Tandem Teams Near Los Angeles? There are other teams out your way and they may stumble over this thread, but a more targeted posting will yield better results. You could also subscribe the Hobbes list and make a similar posting there. Subscription info here:
http://www.thetandemlink.com/hobbes.html

He's still getting used to the size of this boat. Tandems actually handle better with a person on the back than just the solo rider up front; it's a weight distribution thing.

it looks like the Cantilever brakes might be in the way Your best bet is to send an email with a photo of your rear brake installation to Precision Tandems (www.precisiontandems.com) or Tandems East (www.tandemeast.com) and ask them which child seat they might recommend for installation on your tandems. There are a variety of different work-arounds for mouting racks and child carriers and these are two of the dealers who I would expect to know a lot about riding with children because they raised their kids on the backs of tandems.

Are these types of brakes common on tandems vs. road brakes? Yes, cantilever and the linear-pull or V-brake cantilevers are often spec'd for tandems to allow for larger diameter tires and fenders, similar to touring bikes. Moreover, given that a manufacturer has no idea who will ride their tandems when they're made, the use of the linear-pull / V-brakes became the default as they do have more clamping/stopping power than typical racing bike calipers. About the only placed you'll see calipers is on either custom tandems where the buyer spec'd them, or on racing / performance-level tandems. Again, calipers do tend to limit tire size to maximum of 28mm and preclude the use of mud-guards on anything larger than a 23mm tire.

Also, are there computers that have a single sensor, but two monitors? Can one be rigged? It can be done, but it's neither the most cost effective or reliable way to provide both the captain and stoker with their own computers. If the single sensor's battery goes dead, or if moisture gets into the wire splice, both computer heads go down. Figure out how much you want to spend on your computers and how much functionality you'll need and then do your shopping. You may find that you and your captain may want or need different computers.

[masiman]

....it looks like the Cantilever brakes might be in the way Your best bet is to send an email with a photo of your rear brake installation to Precision Tandems (www.precisiontandems.com) or Tandems East (www.tandemeast.com) and ask them which child seat they might recommend for installation on your tandems. There are a variety of different work-arounds for mouting racks and child carriers and these are two of the dealers who I would expect to know a lot about riding with children because they raised their kids on the backs of tandems.....

Also they may want a picture of the rear dropouts showing spacing between eyelets and any obstructions like cassette/freewheel, disks, etc. Sometimes the space does not allow for the nut to be used that mounts that rack to the eyelet(s). There are plenty of workarounds if you have this situation.

[brewer45]

Congrats on your fab ride!

I wish someone had pointed my stoker and me to http://www.thetandemlink.com/LearningCenter.html
when we started riding zu zweit.

If nothing else, memorize the Primary Rule of Tandeming: The Stoker makes no mistakes.

Cheers!

Brewer

[SpeedGracer]

Thanks for all the insight! This is great!

Grace

[zonatandem]

Not too many Davidsons around! Looks great!
Welcome to the forum!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

[JTGraphics]

Congratulations on your new ride.
We go down SGRT quite a bit or ride beach area Redondo to Santa Monica area or around PV.
I'm recovering from a fall during my commiting to work I am riding towork again but will be some time before I can take longer rides.
I'd suggest the SGRT to seal beach for starters while you get use to the new tandem.
We have two computers VDO CD3 wireless units running from one sender.

[djedgar]

About your child seat question, please consider a trailer for the child. Easy to tow with a tandem. We have never found the length to be a problem.

About the computers, we are using two Wintech wireless computers. The transmitter is part of the front quick release. No wires.

enjoy your ride...

[djedgar]

I see my stoker already did a reply, but as the captain I would like to add to what TandemGeek wrote: "Tandems actually handle better with a person on the back than just the solo rider up front; it's a weight distribution thing."

True as long as stoker behaves (and that somewhat depends on weight of cpt'n vs stoker). Stoker needs to be aware that shfting weight will affect balance. I (as captain) have been pulled over a foot sometimes. Stoker should warn if there is a need to look back, pull a water bottle or spit off to the side for example.

As far as the double bike computers go, we have had good luck with the Mavic Wintech ES. The front skewer wireless sending unit transmits digitally up to about 15 feet. Buy two and set the two heads to read the code of the one transmitter and you are set (very easy to do). We have not experienced any false readings even under high tension power lines. The only thing I do not like is it does not automatically wake up after sleeping. But going the Garmin GPS route for the stoker sounds intriguing since there is no need for a bike transmitter.