Tandem Cycling - 1898 tandem on Craigslist

Found this interesting tandem on Richmond, VA Craigslist for $200 (http://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/1416142304.html). It has stoker steering! More info here (http://www.bergsbicycles.com/_antique_tandem). The top tube is removable, for the ladies. If the rear steers, who then is the stoker?

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6712/barnes.jpg
1898 Barnes tandem bicycle for two.

It's called a courting tandem and the captain rides in the rear position, which is why the rear saddle sits higher on the frame.

Note that the front bars still 'steer', but steering is 'controlled' from the rear.

If you'd really like to get into some esoteric tandem trivia, let me be the first to twist your head around the idea that the captain may actually be the chauffer or "stoker".



A chauffeur is an individual who operates any self-propelled vehicle for a profession. While the term may refer to anybody who drives for a living, it usually implies a driver of an elegant passenger vehicle such as a horse-drawn carriage, luxury sedan, motor coach, or especially a limousine; those who operate non-passenger vehicles are generally referred to as "drivers" and truck driver. In some countries, particularly developing nations where a ready supply of labor ensures that even the middle classes can afford domestic staff and among the wealthy, the chauffeur may simply be called the "driver." "Chauffeur" is the modern French masculine term (noun/verb) derived from the meaning "he who heats". The earliest automobiles, like their railroad and sea vessel counterparts, were steam-powered and required the driver to pre-heat the engine to produce energy, thus, the French term for stoker.

Note that horse-drawn carriages and steam-powered trains pre-date bicycles, thus the term 'chauffeur' (stoker) was well defined before it may have been applied to tandem bicycles where, it is fairly easy to suggest, the one who steers, brakes and otherwise makes sure the machine is operating is the 'chauffeur'.

I have some interest in this tandem if it is indeed a Barnes tandem. I wonder how much of the bike is authentic . Anybody know anything about bikes of that era? If the frame and cranks are authentic I think it would be worth the $200.00 to me. Also, I think I saw this bike [posted in another city on Craigs list for $600.0 a couple of months ago.

Do the front handlebars steer as well (seems dangerous)? Brakes?

Do the front handlebars steer as well (seems dangerous)? Brakes?

As best as I can recall, the courting tandems I've seen were dual-steer. Brakes... rear coaster. Remember, these things were built for joy-rides. Racing tandems came about at the same time that followed the same conventional form that we see today on most tandems.

I have some interest in this tandem if it is indeed a Barnes tandem. I wonder how much of the bike is authentic.


It appears to be a Barnes (http://www.bergsbicycles.com/_antique_tandem). I'd like to know how the seller knows it is a 1898 specifically, and not a 1897 or 1899.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6712/barnes.jpg

Hello all !

I own the '98 Barnes Tandem here in Richmond, Va. Bikes Dating: (Seat post is stamped 1898) The bike does steer from the front & rear simutaneously. I'm the third owner. additional info and pictures on my website at: BergsBicycles.com or feel free to email me at BergsBicycles@comcast.net.

Tim

I've been looking around for some images. Here is a Garford which seems to be of similar design. More about this and an old Barnes here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=554896).

Bloomers!


http://elyriapride.elyria.com/timemachine/tm_images/b_tandem.JPG

Do the front handlebars steer as well (seems dangerous)? Brakes?

I think it's pretty neat feature for tooling around the parks. I would love to ride in the rear seat and still be able to steer. The handlebars move in unison because they're interconnected by the steering bars and pivots like on this Colson:

http://www.nostalgic.net/arc/bicycles/ColsonTandem.jpg


I wouldn't think it's any more dangerous than having the pedals work in phase because basically the stronger steering input wins out. The flight cockpits on commercial jetliners have dual control yokes that also work in unison although typically only one pilot operates one of them at a time. If you have two riders fighting to steer the bike in opposing directions, then I suppose there would be a problem, but these are not really high speed bikes.

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Hello all !

I own the '98 Barnes Tandem here in Richmond, Va. Bikes Dating: (Seat post is stamped 1898) The bike does steer from the front & rear simutaneously. I'm the third owner. additional info and pictures on my website at: BergsBicycles.com or feel free to email me at BergsBicycles@comcast.net.

Tim



Great to have you post up here Tim! :)

Nice tandem! :thumb:

Perhaps you can send a PM to chichi as he indicated a definite interest.


.

I have some interest in this tandem if it is indeed a Barnes tandem. I wonder how much of the bike is authentic . Anybody know anything about bikes of that era? If the frame and cranks are authentic I think it would be worth the $200.00 to me. Also, I think I saw this bike [posted in another city on Craigs list for $600.0 a couple of months ago.



saddles not included


New 28" tubes & tires, * New aluminum wheel-set laced to original hubs by Luke at BUNNY HOP Bike shop


NOTE: handlebars, stems, wheel-set, tubes, tires, cork grips, 1960's front pedals are not original to the bike.



http://bergsbicycles.com/_antique_tandem



.

A couple current versions of 'steering from the rear' tandems.
The Brown Kidz tandem and the Pino (German).

The ad is down now, was this bike purchased? Someone here?

Hello All - The Barnes tandem has been sold. Thank you all for your interest. Tim / BergsBicycles.com

I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my new for me, namesake tandem! Chichi Barnes!

I wonder If I can convince my stoker that we should fill in some of the gaps in what will be the new stable of Tandems
1898 Barnes
????
????
2004 CoMotion
2008 Calfee

cool!

Chichi, you are close to Dr. Deltron.

He could resto that frameset for you, and make it awesome.

Oh man... If it hadn't been sold I'd be taking a trip up to Richmond this weekend...

http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/images/tandem_bike.gif

prompted me to look at stuff on google. I wonder how fast this thing went and how easy it was to pedal.

http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/images/tandem_bike.gif

prompted me to look at stuff on google. I wonder how fast this thing went and how easy it was to pedal.

Look at the size of that final chainring. Must have been one fast bike

Look at the size of that final chainring. Must have been one fast bike

Also notice how the chainrings get progressively bigger as you look backwards along the bike. I assume that this was just done for looks and that actually the timing rings between each pair of riders are both the same size, just each pair keeps stepping up one size. Also notice how the captain has a whistle - I'm not sure if it's to communicate with his 9 stokers or to tell people to get the heck out of the way because there are no hand-operated brakes.

Imagine doing a crit on that thing.

Imagine doing a crit on that thing.

Naw, imagine a crit on a Rucker tandem. That undoubtedly will be the next for chi-chi's eponymous historical tandem collection. The Rucker is a Penny-Farthing tandem (actually Penny-Penny), and so recognizes chi chi's stoker.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/293386401_69481bdd7d.jpg

http://images.nypl.org/index.php?id=1195120&t=w

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/classic-car-images/hercules.jpg

There are not enough :eek::eek: to describe that!!

There are not enough :eek::eek: to describe that!!

Since you are in Australia, maybe you can zip by the Canberra Bicycle Museum (http://hpv.tricolour.net/photos/Catalogue%20of%20bikes.pdf) and take the example they've got for a spin, and tell us how it works.

A few more pics. If anyone here ever gets one, we'd need a thread of Pictures of Terrified Tandem Couples.

http://www.johnnypayphone.net/steam/rucker1.gif

http://www.johnnypayphone.net/steam/rucker2.gif

The Rucker......talk about a frame with a bit of flex...Yikes!!

. I wonder how fast this thing went and how easy it was to pedal.

The 'most-often' cited speed is a cruising speed of 40 - 45 mph, faster during sprints... remembering that early roads were not what they are today given that highways and roads in the late 1800's supported horse & buggies not motor cars. It is 24' feet long, weighs 305 lbs and was designed to carry up to 2,500 lbs of riders. What's hard to see in the photos is a network of spreaders and steel wires used to provide further strength and stability to the massive bike.


Also notice how the chainrings get progressively bigger as you look backwards along the bike. I assume that this was just done for looks and that actually the timing rings between each pair of riders are both the same size, just each pair keeps stepping up one size. Also notice how the captain has a whistle - I'm not sure if it's to communicate with his 9 stokers or to tell people to get the heck out of the way because there are no hand-operated brakes.

More on the Oriten from previous threads here, including a discussion on how and why the timing rings were as they were:

Feb '08: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=385001

Apr '08: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=405973

Since you are in Australia, maybe you can zip by the Canberra Bicycle Museum (http://hpv.tricolour.net/photos/Catalogue%20of%20bikes.pdf) and take the example they've got for a spin, and tell us how it works.

A few more pics. If anyone here ever gets one, we'd need a thread of Pictures of Terrified Tandem Couples.

http://www.johnnypayphone.net/steam/rucker1.gif

http://www.johnnypayphone.net/steam/rucker2.gif


I will be in Canberra in early Jan 2010, so I might drop in and have a look....even a ride!!

It was fast enough to raise the hair on the back on my neck on several occassions. Once she's roll'n it's easy to put the steam to that large wheel! Enjoy the New York Steel George! Tim / BergsBicycles 10/26/09

While on the topic of unusual tandems, here is a shot of one I saw in the bicycle/motorcycle museum at Egeskov Slot (castle) in Denmark. My stoker thought she'd like it!:lol:

Not sure how to post a larger photo, so hope you can tell from the thumbnail. The captain is on the seat about 10 feet in the air, while the stoker sits in the easy chair. Actually, since the person in the easy chair doesn't pedal, I suppose this is really a luxury rickshaw.

The 1898 Barnes has arrived, almost in one piece. Unfortunatley the bike was shipped with the pedals installed which resulted in the cranks getting bent.

While I am bummed about the bike not being ridable as a result of the damage, the need for basic repairs does push me to think if I am going to do some repairs I might as well do a lot of repairs and do a nice restoration