Buddy Bike

[meb]

Anyone familiar with a 2 person side by side 2 wheel bike called the Buddy Bike?

http://fun2bike.com/

Any concerns with the side by side arrangement (other than the obvious aerodrag)?

How about the stresses on those cranks extending so far from the BB?

[Retro Grouch]

Anyone familiar with a 2 person side by side 2 wheel bike called the Buddy Bike?

http://fun2bike.com/

Any concerns with the side by side arrangement (other than the obvious aerodrag)?

How about the stresses on those cranks extending so far from the BB?

Ha, ha, ha. Looks goofy to me. Where would you ride it? Honestly, I have no knowledge what-so-ever about anything like that. I'd worry about problems with the seat supports and the crank assembly. I wonder how it rides with riders of unequal weight or even a single rider.

[TandemGeek]

The "Buddy Bike" is actually what was/is known as a "sociable" bicycle. The earlier models were often times two frames joined at the head tubes and rear triangles with one bottom bracket per rider: http://www.geocities.com/rcgilmore3/Sociable.jpg

But, the articulated dual cranks running through a single bottom bracket were also quite common: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cawthorn/Palmer/cyclewedding.html

The darn things work but, as the name implies, they are designed for sociable riding on relatively tame terrain. I have not ridden one, but I have previously corresponded with folks who have as well as folks who let them for hire over in Europe. According to the folks who have the bikes, like most two-wheeled machines, once you get them going the weight issues aren't a big deal.

Again, no first hand experience with them.

[zonatandem]

No first hand experience seeing/riding one of these 'sociables'.
If we recall correctly, a Japanese company was trying to bring those to market in the late 80s/early 90s. Heard of one in the Phoenix, AZ area.
This is nothing new, but an old idea/product being 'recycled.'

[Chasbone]

Ha, ha, ha. Looks goofy to me. Where would you ride it? Honestly, I have no knowledge what-so-ever about anything like that. I'd worry about problems with the seat supports and the crank assembly. I wonder how it rides with riders of unequal weight or even a single rider.




I have a Buddy Bike, which was designed by my friend, who started the company "Buddy Bikes"
with regards to the weight issue it is not a problem. I'm 220 and have taken young kids for a ride, who couldnt have been more than 70 lbs, its just a question of balance and although they have handle bars for there side they are only to rest the hands and cannot steer the bike, if the passenger trys to steer it can cause problems. It is great bike but only for cruising with two.

[jonah]

Used to own one of these. They are one of the most entertaining things to ride. It is very heavy though, and nowhere near as efficient as a normal tandem, so long rides are challenging. As I recall, my riding partner was usually laughing most of the time! (no matter who it was). We took it to a picnic with about 50+ people, most of whom took it for a ride. The most interesting pair was a 250 lb paired up with a 110lb. It leaned a little, but once underway the centrifigal (sp?) force of the wheels keeps it upright. If you get a chance to ride one of these, don't pass it up.

BTW: Thanks for the links! I plan to contact some folks to see if we can get one of these again!

[halfbiked]

Any concerns with the side by side arrangement (other than the obvious aerodrag)?
My biggest concern would be safety. Where would one ride one of these? Around here, it'd be too dangerous on the road and wouldn't fit well on the bike paths.