Tandem Cycling - V.I. tandeming revisited.

After waiting for a few months for the VI centre to get their insurance company to ok their clients to come riding the tandem, I have been taking a young VI guy in his 20's for a weekly ride. He's very keen and quite fit, so we're starting to work well as a team...he really puts in while climbing and loves the fast downhills, so much so that he wants bigger gears to push!!

The last ride included some good climbs and fast descents and as we returned to his house we were in the motion of stopping when the back tyre blew a tube.....very fortunate it didn't go on one of the downhills.
Maybe some members could give me some advice on what to expect when a rear and/or front tyre puntures on a tandem, please.

We're having a "Come and try" day in a month's time with other VI clients, so I'm hoping some more will get the "fever" and make it a regular thing also.

Rear tire puncture usually is not a big deal. The stability of the long wheelbase helps. Just coast to a stop, very gradually using the front brake if necessary, and steering straight if possible, with a loose, relaxed upper body and you should be fine.

Front blowout at speed descending, and the odds of a good outcome aren't so high. Worst thing that can happen is the tire rolls off the rim, and catches around the forks or brake calipers. Coast straight, with a relaxed upper body. The increased rolling resistence will slow the bike. Use the rear brake only if you need to slow faster, and use it very judicially. Prayer also helps.

^ +1

A front tire blowout while descending and turning is almost imposible to recover from.... unless you do that sort of thing for a living. One second you are rolling and tunrning and the next you hear a big boom and you are skiding skin on the pavament all in the same second.

Agree, rear tire blowouts are usually survivable. But did have one that blew up and the tube wrapped into the freewheel, creating an instant stop + it showered the single bike that was drafting us with bits of rubber. Was able to hang on without dumping the bike.

+1 on Merlins advice if front tire explodes.
Have had front tire blow on fast descent (+/- 30 mph) on a straight downhill. Was able to hang on and by just sitting up straight and on/off braking rear brake only. It felt like we were riding a bucking bronco! Came to a successful stop and were a bit shaken by the experience.
Stuff happens and we react.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

The advice you've gotten thus far on how to react in this situation is spot on. But obviously, (from what you've just read), if you focus on having a front flat on a fast descent you might never ride a tandem again! So hows about focusing on preventing them as well!

Step One - Ascertain what caused your recent flat.
Step Two - Fix it so it doesn't happen again! :innocent:

OK. So it isn't quite that easy! But "blow outs", (as in a sudden "KABOOM!"), shouldn't happen. Is that what you meant by "blowing a tube"? If so, perhaps a search of this forum for "blowouts" or "flats" might be enlightening.

You'll find such issues as incompatible tire/rim combinations, improper modulation of rim brakes causing overheating, not using a drag brake where/when you probably need one, improper adjustment of brake blocks allowing one or more of them to eat thru the sidewall, etc.

If it was a slicing or puncture of the tire from road debris, perhaps it's time to look at some of the flat resistant tires, like the Conti Gatorskins, Specialized Armadillos or Bontrager Hardcases. Others swear by tire liners like Mr. Tuffy, or one brand or other of goop in their tubes.

Bottom line is that knowing you have done everything possible to lower the odds of a hi-speed blowout goes a long way towards restoring the enjoyment of your hi-speed descents.

The advice you've gotten thus far on how to react in this situation is spot on. But obviously, (from what you've just read), if you focus on having a front flat on a fast descent you might never ride a tandem again! So hows about focusing on preventing them as well!

Step One - Ascertain what caused your recent flat.
Step Two - Fix it so it doesn't happen again! :innocent:

OK. So it isn't quite that easy! But "blow outs", (as in a sudden "KABOOM!"), shouldn't happen. Is that what you meant by "blowing a tube"? If so, perhaps a search of this forum for "blowouts" or "flats" might be enlightening.

You'll find such issues as incompatible tire/rim combinations, improper modulation of rim brakes causing overheating, not using a drag brake where/when you probably need one, improper adjustment of brake blocks allowing one or more of them to eat thru the sidewall, etc.

If it was a slicing or puncture of the tire from road debris, perhaps it's time to look at some of the flat resistant tires, like the Conti Gatorskins, Specialized Armadillos or Bontrager Hardcases. Others swear by tire liners like Mr. Tuffy, or one brand or other of goop in their tubes.

Bottom line is that knowing you have done everything possible to lower the odds of a hi-speed blowout goes a long way towards restoring the enjoyment of your hi-speed descents.


Hi Onegun

The tyres are 26" Conti Gatorskins which I inflate to about 110 psi, I couldn't find any fault with the actual tyre, but the tube split about an inch from the presta valve. We are not a heavy team as I'm about 75kg and the stoker is 65kg. The brakes were not being used much so the rims weren't overheated and pads seem well adjusted.....must have been a faulty tube?
What brand of tube do you guys recommend? I do use Contis.