Tandem Cycling - Rolf Vectors?

I don't know if this is a previous topic or not, but I did a search and didn't find anything here, so...

I just retired (um, not a pun, no...) a pair of Rolf Vector Comps from my road bike. I used 'em for years, and they seem like a heckuva durable wheel (and kind of heavy). Has anyone else tried 'em on a tandem? I am on the verge of swapping them onto my Cannondale Tandem...

and am kind of hoping someone will say "No! I tried that and launched my wife into the next county when the wheel collapsed!" or something like that.

I'm using a Rolf Vector Comp front on my steel Kuwahara road tandem. The Rolf Wheel came with my circa 2000 cf Trek 5200. I put it on the tandem because I developed a crack in the Campag Shamal front wheel I had been using (over 10,000 km with no failure until the vertical crack at the braking surface). Crew weight is 320 lbs (180 + 140). But the tandem never carries loads (panniers, racks, bags of any sort). Rear wheel is a 36-spoke wheel I built, but the rim finally wore too thin and splayed outwards after I installed and inflated a folding Gatorskin. But this is after 10 years and over 15,000 km. Current rear wheel in the meantime is a first-generation Shimano 16-spoke wheel (NOT a Sweet 16), which feels a little soft/flexy and the spoke tension is nowhere near what is recommended on a Sweet 16, but can still handle the load. As you can see, I like using equipment that some people might think is pushing the margin of safety, so take my views into consideration accordingly.

Thank you - I see that the weight limit is appreciably less than what we weigh (we are at about 330 lbs). But the tandem is an occasional rider this year, at least, as we both have new singles. I think I'll go ahead and try...

You realize that the rear won't fit due to axle spacing

well, not until this second. The previous tandem was a Santana Arriva S and I interchanged a set of trispokes with the stock wheels whenever we raced. When did they change? Is it 135?

Modern tandems are typically 145mm rear dropout spacing. (except Santana which uses 160mm)

See the attached link on dropout spacing. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

I believe Cannodales are 145 dropout spacing, but older ones might be narrower.

8/9/10 road bike spacing is 130mm.

Thus you'd likely need to change axles in your rear wheel.

I believe Cannodales are 145 dropout spacing, but older ones might be narrower.

140mm in 1989 - 1992
135mm in 1993
140mm in 1994 - 1998
145mm from 1999 to present

well, not until this second. The previous tandem was a Santana Arriva S and I interchanged a set of trispokes with the stock wheels whenever we raced. When did they change? Is it 135?

If it was an early Arriva then it was likely 140mm. That you could fit a 135mm rear spaced wheel on it most likely had more to do with the frame having been cold-set to 135mm or simply playing in the margins of the rear stay's elasticity.

Exactly. Except that that was quite a while ago, and I don't really remember, but I don't remember that it was a big deal to put 'em in there.

All of that notwithstanding, these Vector suckas already have a buyer, apparently. So...what does the group recommend for fast wheels?

Rolf Tandem Vigors. Zipp 808's laced to tandem hubs.

Topilino Tandem wheels, particularlyif you're looking for low weight for climbing moreso than aero.

Well, then. So much for my cheapie weenie fix for the tandem. Patti's been telling me we need a new one anyway...