Tandem Cycling - My new tandem

Last November the tandem bug bit me. I searched for a frame that would work for me. I'm 5 foot 5 inches tall with a 30 inch inseam. I also need a bike that would work for my 7 year daughter.
I purchased a 26 inch off road frame from Chucksbikes. I set is up as a road bike with an FSA triple crank, 105 rear deraileur and a dura front deraileur. Both handlebars were extras I had around the garage. Campy brifters, just like the feel. Saddle in picture has been changed out for a different SMP and I have a different saddle for my 7 year stoker coming in soon. I also put SKS fenders on last night but they are not pictued here. Our first few rides have been short but very educational. My daughter is a natural and really understands how to ride. I love this thing and I love the time shared with my daughter.:love:

http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/iphone_5-18-09_012.jpg

Here's a pic. Still need to add computer, air zound horn and waterbottle cages. Also looking at crank shorteners for my little stoker. All coming in soon.

Front fork is a Surly Big Dummy. Very heavy duty.

Looks Great!!! I have your same problem with height, just a bit worse 64" with 28" inseam. Our current tandem is a 2001 C-dale RT1000. The standover is good, but the reach is too long. My stoker however is 65.5" and only 2.5 years my junior. I don't have any children yet, but when that time comes I hope to do the Daddy-stokid thing.

Nice bike. Enjoy it with your daughter. You still have 6 years till she's a teenager.


One equipment suggestion, either toe clips or clipless pedlas for the stoker. I wouldn't like the idea of my kid's foot coming off the pedal, and getting wapped by the still rotating pedal/crank.

Good point. Still working on clipless vs toe clips for my stoker. Thanks for you kind words.

I recently saw crank shorteners on ebay - might want to see if the auction is still ongoing. Just removed the stoker kit from our tandem and set our son up with crank shorteners. He is 7 1/2. The bike is a Trek L/S for hubby and son. Another suggestion - does your daughter still feel like she is too far from the handlebars - if so, turn the seat post around.
Love the bike - great color - and love her handlebars!
Have fun - we do!

Some help:

http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/iphone_5-18-09_012.jpg

Thanks.

Congratulations!!! Nice bike. Have fun. Maybe I will see you on the roads around Allen :)

Very nice. I ride a lot with my daughter. She's 10 now. We started her at 4 on a trail-a-bike, then upgraded to a tandem when she was 7. Between the 2 she has close to 5000 miles.

I'd suggest a tandem-com. Santa brought us one at Christmas one year. It makes talking a ton easier. We used to play games like 20 questions and such.

Very nice. I ride a lot with my daughter. She's 10 now. We started her at 4 on a trail-a-bike, then upgraded to a tandem when she was 7. Between the 2 she has close to 5000 miles.

I'd suggest a tandem-com. Santa brought us one at Christmas one year. It makes talking a ton easier. We used to play games like 20 questions and such.

Hi, Shane! Nice to see you here -- have you and your daughter done any races recently?

Hi, Shane! Nice to see you here -- have you and your daughter done any races recently?

No races for her yet this year. We've done a few rides and are planning a climbing trip up the Cherohala Skyway in July. I hate to put here in a race if she hasn't been riding a lot. Not fair to ask her little legs to take on that kind of stress.

Now with fenders, bags, computer and wattlebottle cages added.

http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/iphone_5-22-09_007.jpg

I am building an identical bike. Just got it but no headset and eccentric. I need to get those parts.

Check the packing very carefully. At first I thought it didn't come with eccentric or headset. Turns out they were wrapped in newspaper in the box. The deraileur hanger didn't come in the box and we had to call and get one.

BTW, I noticed the chucksbikes website is down. Are they still open? Is that where you got your frame?

BTW, I noticed the chucksbikes website is down. Are they still open? Is that where you got your frame?

Sadly, Chuck's Bikes is out of business .. yet another victim of this economy. He discounted a lot of tandem and triplet frames right at the end, then closed his doors.

Man that's sucks.:(

I sure do love my bike.