Tandem Cycling - Barcon location for drum brake

Simple question: Left or right side mount for captain barcon to actuate drum brake? I am having drum brake added to our Speedster co-pilot with STI for some touring this summer. I am leaning toward left side barcon install. Just wondered if there are pro / cons.
CG

We had ours on the left side. I don't know why, probably easier cable routing.
Sheldon and Martha Hall
Greenfield, IN

Are you inclined to be left or right handed?

I have my drag barcon on the left side since my right hand seems to be a little busier than the left.

I have one tandem with a thumb shifter that works a drum brake. The lever is on the left as I am right handed and when I need the brake I am usually going faster than I want and like to have my strong hand on the bars. This tandem has been relegated to be used primarily with the kids as a stoker.

My new(er) tandem which has a disk brake in addition to the rim brakes, has a lever - on the stoker's handlebars! Yes, blasphemy!

We had it built for us and the builder recommended it to be set up this way. We had ridden with another couple for almost an entire brevet series with a bike set up that way and they managed well so we did not reject the idea. Anyway, while I would say it is not for everyone, if your stoker is an experienced adult, it does have its advantages on steep winding roads.

It takes some practice to work out who is going to brake when, but I believe it is much safer at high speeds.

I have my drag barcon on the left side since my right hand seems to be a little busier than the left.

The lever is on the left as I am right handed and when I need the brake I am usually going faster than I want and like to have my strong hand on the bars.
Thanks! Those were also reasons I was leaning toward left side install (I am right handed).
Chris

I am hoping for step by step photos on this lil job....

I have a Co-motion speedster and am installing in a drag brake in June for some touring in the summer & Fall and am very curious as to routing and quick release cables...

Is your bike coupled???

Pics when you do it .... Please

I am hoping for step by step photos on this lil job....
I have a Co-motion speedster and am installing in a drag brake in June for some touring in the summer & Fall and am very curious as to routing and quick release cables...
Is your bike coupled???
Pics when you do it .... Please

Our speedster is coupled. The brake and der. cable splitters are in the front next to the downtube, but low, just above the eccentric. We usually only uncouple the front 1/3 of the bike to get it in our car. I'm not yet sure where I want the drum brake cable splitter. It might be too conspicuous if I put it on the front third as the Speedster cable guides for the drum brake follow the left side of the lateral tube. No decision yet.
I just finished mounting the fenders and rack, but won't get to the drum brake till June. I am going to farm out the drum brake install to the guy who did our original bike build, but I'll be glad to post pictures of the final result.

When they built up my Rodriguez, R+E installed the drag brake lever on the right side just where I expected them to. This made the left side available for my bar-end mirror. It never occurred to me to have the lever on the left side.

Interesting post. I just ordered a drum brake yesterday.

Interesting post. I just ordered a drum brake yesterday.

Seems all the other threads are about new and interesting ways to spend $$$ to save grams. I'm heading the other way, spending $ to add kilos. :twitchy: Go figure. Along with the fenders and rack I also switched to a Brooks saddle a couple months ago adding 200+ grams. Last I weighed the Speedster (small) with couplers, 40 spoke wheels, pedals, cages, rack, fenders, Brooks, and repair kit it was approaching 47 lbs. I guess the drum will get us close to 50.:eek:

Hey, equip the tandem the way you want . . .
We do not have need for a 3rd brake in the past 30-some odd years of tandeming; yes, we do live in hilly/mountainous terrain in Arizona (got news for some of you folks: the desert is NOT flat!)Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

I would like to add my penny to the answer. I may be using flawed logic, but it's logical to me at least.

While I agree that hand preference may exist, as suggested by some, I do not think that being right or left handed is all that convincing of a reason for the setup choice as compared to brake control while on the decent.

I suggest that it makes sense to have the left hand be available to modulate the front brake during the time that the rear drag brake is set (opposite way - right hand controls rear is the standard if in England). I believe this would enhance safety and control.

This would mean that the drag brake would be activated by the right hand (or same hand that controls the rear rim brake). Once set, then you are able to apply the rear rim brake to modulate necessary increases of braking power, if needed, once that hand is done setting the drag brake.

If you are setting the drag brake while applying the rear rim brake to reduce speed, then you should be reducing the amount of force on the rim brake or risk a possible rear wheel lockup, but more importantly, you would be leaving the more powerful front brake unavailable during this transitioning time.

Let the stoker have it. Just make sure U apply rim brake after the drum is actuated. I'm amazed at how much heat is generated in these on decents as long as 3-5 miles. Gotta be hard on the bearings, carry spares on cross country trips.

I am hoping for step by step photos on this lil job....

I have a Co-motion speedster and am installing in a drag brake in June for some touring in the summer & Fall and am very curious as to routing and quick release cables...

Is your bike coupled???

Pics when you do it .... Please

You might want to touch base with Bob Thompson on this. I haven't seen it , but he tells me the drag brake system he has is easily removable and therefore may be well suited to your coupled bike.