Tandem Cycling - Finally getting some time on our used Santana

I posted several weeks ago when I got a used Santana off Craig's List, and my wife Sue and I are finally getting some rides in. I'm the more experienced cyclist; she does a good job keeping her weight centered, but for the first several rides I was pretty shaky. I've learned to relax my death grip on the handlebars and not fight the bike so much. Using platform pedals at this point with no toe clips, I'm almost ready to put clipless pedals on, but just for me; Sue's never used them, but I don't think she understands the advantage yet. Took it to a bike shop to have them look at my stem; I raised the handlebars and couldn't get it to tighten back up. All it needed was a little grease. The bike mechanics were drooling over the bike, considering I only paid $650 for it and it's in great shape. One guy told me the frame alone was probably worth $2,000. I was thinking of updating gear components and shifters, but I think I'll just get used to the down tubes for now and leave it old school. It's got a 6 speed cluster, but the range seems fine for now. It's great to be able to ride together; separately I always had to circle back, now she's less frustrated and I have new challenges. I've learned a lot from posts here, thanks for all the good advice.

You running the Big, Big gear combo?

Probably ok to do for short distances but I would shift out of it before parking the bike in the theory that the bike is going to sit for quite a while in that combo and soften the return spring.

I've been wrong before.

No, it was just that way when I took that picture a while back. I've found we ride mostly on the middle chainring and the 2-5 cogs.

The bike mechanics were drooling over the bike, considering I only paid $650 for it and it's in great shape. One guy told me the frame alone was probably worth $2,000. I was thinking of updating gear components and shifters, but I think I'll just get used to the down tubes for now and leave it old school.

$650 is a great price, but don't get too carried away on upgrading based on what the mechanics said. A new Arriva frame/fork is only $2795.

Using platform pedals at this point with no toe clips, I'm almost ready to put clipless pedals on, but just for me; Sue's never used them, but I don't think she understands the advantage yet. It's great to be able to ride together; separately I always had to circle back, now she's less frustrated and I have new challenges. I've learned a lot from posts here, thanks for all the good advice.

Words from Newbies: My wife of 19 years and I got our Vintage '94 Burley Bossa ($800) on April 30, '08. We put inexpensive Terry X @ $50 and Y @$50 saddles on, Shimano SPD 324 @ $59 (REI on sale) pedals on front and rear as my wife hated the leather strap and the feeling of being trapped. The shoes you choose can be mountain bike or more commuter level with SPD inserts. She has Pear Izumi Alps @ $60 (REI on sale) and I have Shimano MT 41 @ $50 (REI on sale). These pedals give the benefit of being balanced and one side is with clip for shoe and the other is for use with any shoe you own with no clip and great grip. No fooling around on startsgoiong forward. The benefit of the shoes are they have a recessed clip that does not inhibit you from walking around places like the more advanced road shoe/clip combinations.

As for the comfort of the stoker...Make her feel like she wants to go riding with you. Everything bump and bang my wife felt going through that steel she absorbed. We went again to our LBS nad he had an inexpensive seat post with absorber @ $25. The combination of having a comfortable saddles, not slipping off the pedals when you hit bumps (or pedalling fast) with the SPD pedals, comfortable shoes and the shock absorber seatpost will add some weight to your ride, but will make her much more comfortable and she will look forward to riding with you. That is my goal as we ride all the time now. We have logged over 520 miles since we purchased.

Oh, we also put a 7spd 13-34 rear cassette on the bike for the ability to climb better. It is marvelous as we can climb up anything now without being depleted. (until the next day) Our bike is relatively heavy @ 45+, but so am I at 215 lbs.

New/used? Who cares!
You two are having fun TWOgether!

Yes, we are! We worked out the control / communications issues long ago in canoe racing, and we find that aspect of tandem cycling to be similar. I ride with spd pedals and mtb shoes on my bike, but she's never used them. I'm wondering if it's wise to have her learn to clip in and out on the tandem, or most likely I should put spd's on her bike so she can get used to the feeling before we throw that into the tandem mix. First thing I need to do is put some decent saddles on, and probably a suspension seatpost for her.

My stoker did not have any experience with cycling before we got our tandem. I remember circling as well on my single) She used toe clips for one ride and quickly moved over to SPD's. Within a couple of miles she was felt comfortable. Go to a good shop, pay a couple of extra bucks and have the bike shop show your stoker how to use the pedals and shoes. We need to remeber that we need the LBS. You pay more but you will more then make up for it in service (No I do not have any affiliation with a LBS)

Last, as far as her fear with the SPD's, remember, the stoker comes off after you secure the bike. Good luck.

I found the tandem was a great way for me, as a stoker, to get used to SPD pedals. You get on, clip in, and 30 miles later when you stop you unclip. We didn't unclip at lights or anything. Later, when I started riding my single with the SPD pedals it was a snap, literally.