Tandem Cycling - My "New" Tandem!

Hello,
I haven't done much posting here, but I'm really excited because we just purchased our first tandem! I used to own a Holdsworth Special, and have always been intrigued by the frames and their history. In any case, once I saw this on craigslist I couldn't resist.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/3983277788_7bc2ff749c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3983277778_e2e0461e1c.jpg

It's a Holdsworth Tandem, pink, and best I can tell it was made in the 1980's.
Made with Reynolds 531, Suntour dropouts, Suntour Mountech derailleurs, Stronglight Cranks, Suzue 48h hubs, Arai drum brake.

I'm the third owner; it was supposedly originally purchased by a bike shop owner who flew to England to order it. A newly-wed couple bought it from him, then us from them.

It rides great and is in good shape, but I'm curious to know more of the history behind the frame. Looking at catalogs I thought it may be a Holdsworth Gemini from the late 80's, but according to the previous owner it's not. The bottom brackets shells are stamped "HADEN," along with a serial number.

Just thought I'd share the new addition to my stable!

Very nice bike, indeed. Cant tell you anything about the history. I was intrigued by the post title. Not many single people buy a tandem. Glad to see you gave you stoker acknowledgment in the post. ;^)

A beauty, nice find.

Sweet! I like the way the frame looks. :thumb:


.

thanks!

Is this site of any help?

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/Models.htm

WillFam

I like the drillium look in the crank.

And how the frame is of a design so anachronistic and obscure that it has never been denounced in Santana literature (http://santanatandem.com/Techno/FrameTech07.html).

That is rolling history you've got there. It'd look great with period and English items, e.g. Brooks saddles.

Those Brits built some very nice tandems . . . Jack Taylor, Colin Laing, Roberts, Mercian, Dawes, Holdsworth among others.
Have owned several custom built Reynolds 531 tandems; ridden 64,000 miles on an Assenmacher and 56,000 miles on a Colin Laing.
531 tandem guage was developed for the Taylor brothers and became the favorite tandem tubing in 70s.
That Holdsworth twicer is a beauty!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Wow, that bike should be in a custom bike show. Really pristine. You did well. Zona has the history, which makes it even more special.

Ritterview's link says 1987 for the Gemini tandem.

Take care with the Mountech derailleur - I've got one on a single bike and have been reading about a fatal flaw in the design due to the tensioning spring in the upper pivot. Mine has not failed - yet - but I'm thinking about a preventive replacement this winter.

WillFam - Thanks for the link! The amount of detail is great, especially in the history section

Ritterview - the "fad" was definitely the major purchase factor =P

zonatandem - that's very interesting info!

moleman76 - I definitely thought it was a Gemini as well, but the previous owners were pretty sure it wasn't; although didn't have much other information to help. Who knows? But I'd like to find out!

thanks everyone!