Bad news/good news

[KRhea]

My wife and I were unfortunately unable to attend this weekends NW Tandem Rally at the last minute due to a family emergency. Thank goodness everything is pretty much back to normal at this time. It was difficult for us to miss the event seeing that it was right in our backyard, only 35miles away but there's always Victoria BC next year!

We had planned to see many friends, meet new ones, enjoy the amazing mass start ride Friday morning, take 100s of photos and very exciting for us, ride our newly built tandem in it's first organized event. Oh well, we're lucky we live here in the NW and there's tons of organized rides every month.

So, here's the details of our new twofer:

Frame/fork- Custom built/painted Taylor steel frame using a combination of Columbus Life, Spirit and Zona tubing and featuring a Columbus carbon seat stay and an Alpha Q fork.

Drivetrain:
Campy Record brifters w/Hudz covers and a temporary Record bar end shifter for front derailleur, Record rear derailleur and a Racing T front derailleur.
Truvativ crankset w/FSA rings
Token Scandium bottom brackets

Wheelset- DT Swiss 1.1/1.2 rims on 32h White Industry hubs w/ti carrier and Salsa skewers
Tires- Schwable Stelvio 700x25
Tubes- Michelin ultralites

Pedals- Crank Bros Ti Quattros

Seatposts, saddles, clamps:
Captain- Thomson Masterpiece, WTB Devo, Salsa clamp
Stoker- FSA SLK carbon, WTB Deva, Salsa clamp

Bars/stems:
Captain- FSA Wing Pro Compact, Ritchey WCS
Stoker- Ritchey WCS, generic adjustable stem (I've had/used this stem for years on our tandems and don't know who builds it but it's one of the lightest/strongest I've seen.) Not flashy but works like a charm.

Brakes- Mavic SSC dual pivots. Frame also has disc mount if need be.

Computers- VDO digital front and rear with single sender

Goal weight prior to build- break 35lbs...After seeing and hearing about a certain someone's sweet custom Erickson I was confident I could break 35lbs but wasn't expecting this...
Actual weight- 31.2lbs w/4 cages and computers!!!!!!

Now for some photos:

The birth of a tandem...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Bikes/P1012416.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Bikes/P1012419.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Bikes/P1012442.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Tandems/P1013451.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Tandems/E02A4308.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Tandems/E02A4307.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Tandems/P1013457.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Tandems/E02A4262.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Tandems/E02A4271.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/KRhea/Tandems/E02A4272.jpg

[Telkwa]

That is the most visually stunning tandem I've ever seen. Must have been tough to miss unveiling it @ NWTR!

All the shifting is done on the left side handlebar?? Please pardon my newbness but I didn't know there was a mechanism for that...

[KRhea]

That is the most visually stunning tandem I've ever seen. Must have been tough to miss unveiling it @ NWTR!

All the shifting is done on the left side handlebar?? Please pardon my newbness but I didn't know there was a mechanism for that...

Thanks for the kind words. Only the front derailleur is controlled by the bar end shifter.


KRhea

[uspspro]

Nice brakeset. I always rave about them, every chance I get (They are on my 1/2 bike).

[TandemGeek]

...and a temporary Record bar end shifter for front derailleur..

Just curious as to why the barcon vs. the Ergo shifter?

[KRhea]

Just curious as to why the barcon vs. the Ergo shifter?

The bar end is an "interim" fix for a ulnar nerve problem I'm suffering from. I got hit with a weird "paralysis" of my little finger, my ring finger and the heel of my hand the end of May after a race. It seems to be an injured ulnar nerve/cervical spine challenge.

It has left me with not enough strength in the "direction" of Ergo shifter throw to use the lever. So, I figured out I could use the whole strength of my arm to work a bar end which would allow us to still ride a bit, hence the hopefully temporary use of the bar end/ergo combo.

No the cleanest look in the world but very functional.


KRhea

[specbill]

Just beautiful!......very nice combination of components with an outstanding paint scheme.

Bill J.

[SUNCOAST]

Very nice looking tandem! I'd be interested in knowing more about the VDO computers. What are the model numbers? Is the system working for both of you?

[sweetnsourbkr]

Every one of the tandems at NWTR was unique. I'm sure yours would have made a fine addition to the show! Sorry to hear about the problems. Hope to see you guys next time! :)

[KRhea]

Very nice looking tandem! I'd be interested in knowing more about the VDO computers. What are the model numbers? Is the system working for both of you?

Thanks. Our's are VDO C2ds versions. They work great so far. Not the simplest to set up but really no problem. It's great to get rid of any and all wires and really gives the bike a clean look. I'm anxious to get some serious miles on them and see if we continue to enjoy them and they stay problem free.

KRhea

[Al Bundy]

Very impressive

cheers
mike

[jjwintski]

Sweet!

You've built a very nice bike!

Regards,
John

[jimmm18]

Stunning bike!! Woud have been great to see it in person at the rally.

By the way what gearing are you using? I use campy as well and am always interested in what works.

Thanks

Jim

[kevbo]

No the cleanest look in the world but very functional.


KRhea

If anyone asks, explain that it is the control for the minature magnetic flux drag brake built into the rear hub...you're beta testing, not sure when or if it will be offered for sale.

[zonie]

Get a good lock, that thing might walk away...

Very pretty.....and Campy too? I WANT!

Kevin

[tandemedge]

Outstanding ... not only functional but beautiful ... wishing you long hours of enjoyment.

[Red Rider]

That's a very sharp looking bike. You've done well with the color scheme and accents.

Now, how does it ride?