Folding Bikes - Modified bike photo

Okay I know this probably belongs in the Tandem Forum but this is my favorite forum. Just to keep it on topic I was leaving work to come home on my Speed P8 (okay that's out of the way) and the Marines were floundering around on this contraption.

Funny stuff. It really worked and I couple of the guys were CRUISING fast on this thing. Way faster than I thought possible. I anticipated the worst but they pulled it off successfully.

John

http://homepage.mac.com/hagensieker/.Public/tandem.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/hagensieker/.Public/tandem2.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/hagensieker/.Public/tandem3.jpg

Yikes! The forks are spread over 40mm to fit over the rear dropouts of the "captain" bike. Be afraid.

Works for now, then snap. Imagine the stress on the rear drop outs.

This is actually a great idea - there should be a fork sold that allows for mounting to outside of a 135mm dropout, then an adapter inserted that allows for use of a normal 100mm front hub. Then that special "rear bike" can hook onto any standard mountain bike, and also use standard front wheels.

What other issues are at stake? I guess the jack-knifing idea with the non-rigid rear headset? Turning radius increased over a normal tandem.

Having no timing chain eliminates matching the cadence between the riders, which can be a difficult issue as some of us that ride tandems know.

The riders are Marines. Matching cadence is something they do naturally. That was the first thing I noticed because obviously the two riders can pedal independently.

The bike will jackknife because they were able to get it to stand by itself by jackknifing it. I think they took it apart but I agree spreading the forks on that cheap shock is a recipe for disaster.

John

rear tire is way too flat, why do I notice things like this? I guess if you want to take the time to practice and don't like to turn you could get some speed on that.

At least they have helmets on.

and the bikes are to small

Can you make it longer? (I am thinking Guinness book of world records).

Kam

Technically speaking, that "tandem" is illegal in Japan outside of Nagano Prefecture.


And both chains are way too rusty to pass inspection !



Practically speaking... why do a couple of Marines need a bicycle built for two, Daisy ?

They do look sweet !



I know... don't ask, don't tell... is that why their faces are blurred-out ?


(d&r)

Yikes! The forks are spread over 40mm to fit over the rear dropouts of the "captain" bike. Be afraid.

The only sensible way to do this therefore is on a Brompton. At last an advantage of a 112 rear axle.

Who is going to be first?
Photos please!

My friends and I did this all the time in small town Minnesota in the 1960s. Not a new idea. Roger

lMAO i cant say what im thinking.....

One could probably do that a bit better with some BD/BI frame (120mm spacing in the rear), you just wouldn't get really any gear range... or, the Surly Pugsley has a 135 mm space fork (which I think you can buy separate)... that'd pair better with a 130mm rear hub...

Technically speaking, that "tandem" is illegal in Japan outside of Nagano Prefecture.


And both chains are way too rusty to pass inspection !



Practically speaking... why do a couple of Marines need a bicycle built for two, Daisy ?

They do look sweet !



I know... don't ask, don't tell... is that why their faces are blurred-out ?


(d&r)

Actually the Marines were busting each others chops in a similar fashion, however I'm betting they wouldn't find it as funny coming from you.

Their faces are blurred out because somewhere in the great land of the WWW is probably some senior Marine Officer who'd tear their heads off for doing something so stupid. Couple Marines were taking videos, I would imagine it exists somewhere on YouTube or something. If they get ID'd and yelled at it won't be because of me.

John

hey couldnt the nds wheel spacers and lock nut be messed with. So the forks could hold the wheel but stay at 100mm. Then put the wheel and forks in the rear of the front bike. Would need the brake and deraileur messed about with.

hey is the front person a Captain. As thats what a tandem front persons called. Dont think they have stokers in the military

wouldnt this be showing how resourcefull the soldiers are. Able to adapt things.

theres been military personel on shows like Scrapheap challenge/ junkyard wars

Actually the Marines were busting each others chops in a similar fashion, however I'm betting they wouldn't find it as funny coming from you.

Their faces are blurred out because somewhere in the great land of the WWW is probably some senior Marine Officer who'd tear their heads off for doing something so stupid. Couple Marines were taking videos, I would imagine it exists somewhere on YouTube or something. If they get ID'd and yelled at it won't be because of me.

John


It was a JOKE.



My dad and brother were in the Navy, and two of my uncles were in the Marines, so there's a long family tradition of kidding the Jarheads... they always seem to be able to dish as well as they take...

Honestly, no disrespect was intended... just a little "Bicycle Built for Two" nostalgic humor...

Same about the blurred faces... plus the inside joke if you've ever watched Japanese TV news... faces, buildings, license plates... all blurred to protect the non-famous... and deprive them of their Warholian 15 minutes...

Oh, well...


And those chains seriously need to be lubed or replaced.