Northern California - Wifey says, "Let's look into a tandem bike". WOOHOO!

OK, before I really get excited, we should probably rent one before taking the plunge. Does anyone know where I can rent a tandem road bike? What do you think about buying one off craigslist or is this something we definitely should get fitted for? Lastly, can the bigger/taller/heavier rider be in the back?

Bicycle outfitter in Los Altos rents them. As does Blazing Saddles up in the city. Crank2 in Pleasanton has lots of tandems for test rides, including Da Vinci's, but doesn't rent them.

OK, before I really get excited, we should probably rent one before taking the plunge. Does anyone know where I can rent a tandem road bike? What do you think about buying one off craigslist or is this something we definitely should get fitted for? Lastly, can the bigger/taller/heavier rider be in the back?

I am useless to answer your questions, just wanted to say "YIPPEE"!!! Tandems are fun... we bought one sight unseen and it worked out fine... unfortunately where we live is not very good territory for a tandem and we didn't use it and sold it... we will definately get another one someday though, very fun!

I would go look at some at your LBS or rent one to get a good idea of what size you need, the one we had came in S-M-L, not a normal size like the 51 and 54 bikes I normally ride. Like I said, not much help, just wanted to say have FUN!!! :thumb:

TONS of tandems on the Giro today too :p

We bought ours on Craigslist a couple months ago. It wasn't local per se but not too far (Modesto) so I met with the seller half way between us.
I did a search using this site:
http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?itm=tandem&cat=cpbike
The site lists all ads nationwide from Craigslist, eBay, and other sites. Quite convenient as tandems are not too common. Be patient and have some luck. I would definitely recommend a good used bike rather than a cheap new one. Burley and Santana are good choices as they have been around for a while and older units can be found at real good prices.

Tandeming is really fun, and a great way to get your significant other into the sport and to spend time together.

Livermore Cyclery (at least the Livermore location) rents them.

Thanks all! Uh, by the way, how does one transport a tandem? I'll be replacing my Caravan with Ford Escape small SUV. Can I put a tandem on the roof?

Thanks all! Uh, by the way, how does one transport a tandem? I'll be replacing my Caravan with Ford Escape small SUV. Can I put a tandem on the roof?


A Rocky Mounts tandem mount will fit on Thule or Yakima crossbars. It has the swivel attachment for the fork mount to help load.
Try calling Crank 2 Performance Tandems in Pleasanton. Don't know if they rent them out.

http://www.crank-2.com/store/

Thanks all! Uh, by the way, how does one transport a tandem? I'll be replacing my Caravan with Ford Escape small SUV. Can I put a tandem on the roof?

This is what I got, Craigslist as well.

http://www.yakima.com/racks/bike-racks/product/8002071/sidewinder.aspx

You can also remove the wheels and either fit it inside or across on a trunk rack. I use the trunk rack on my convertible with only one wheel off.

Did she see this one in blue? I didn't see it until the end.

http://www.ransbikes.com/Screamer07.htm

No we didn't see that one but it is slick. What got her thinking about tandems is we were left in the dust by a couple of them and we were clipping along at 17 mph.

Lastly, can the bigger/taller/heavier rider be in the back?

Anybody can be in the back. It is however recommended to have the more experienced rider in the front. A tandem is a bit more difficult to handle, you really feel the added tension in the handlebar. By experienced I mean the rider who is more acute at detecting road hazards, at shifting gears, at using the brakes, and at controlling the bike (speed control, stopping...).

Rent one or test ride one at a bike shop that stocks tandems (not too many of those around).
Stay away from the the dept. store ones and the $300 ones on the net.
Used is a good way to go without sinking in too many $$$. Been riding tandem for 35 years . . .
Try Gold Country Cyclery (Rick Steele); extremely knowledgeable and has several good tandems in stock.

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

My wife and I have thought about it. We'd like to try one, but I'm not sure it would work out. We are comfortable at dramatically different cadences.

I also recommend cruising around the "Tandems" forum. There is a lot of knowledge and very often people asking the same questions you are asking now. I would go by Gold Country or Crank2 for some advice and to test drive a few. These shops are more tandem oriented than a regular bike shop and can give you some good information. We bought our first tandem from our LBS. It was a decent tandem but we broke it a lot as we were doing more than it was really made to do. I would also repeat zonatandems advice. Do not buy a dept store or a cheap (300-500 dollar) bike. Good luck

Thanks again!

Very cool- I hope you guys love it. I highly encourage you to go up to Healdsburg and rent a tandem there (Spoke Folk is one shop)- there is a great 20-mile loop in the Dry Creek valley that is beautiful and very nice for riding. It will make for a good introduction. I wouldn't worry too much about speed, especially at first. Just enjoy a few hours with your wife and work your hardest to make sure she has a good, relaxed time. Stop to check out a couple of wineries, enjoy a nice lunch at the Dry Creek store, etc.

The physically stronger, more experienced cyclist should be on the front (the "captain"). This is the person who will need to hold the bike up, balance at lights, control the handling, etc.

Important reading.

http://www.bikeaholics.org/CaptainTraining.html[/URL][URL="http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X129555&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F6pmxhx"] (http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X129555&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F6pmxhx)

I highly encourage you to go up to Healdsburg and rent a tandem there (Spoke Folk is one shop)- there is a great 20-mile loop in the Dry Creek valley that is beautiful and very nice for riding. It will make for a good introduction.

+1. Worked like a charm for us. Don't miss the W Dry Creek road as well. Ride to the end there's a nice winery up from the road, they have music and lots of people on weekends. You can have lunch there or bring a picnic and seat along the vineyards.

Another winery ride just might work. Thanks!

OK, before I really get excited, we should probably rent one before taking the plunge. Does anyone know where I can rent a tandem road bike? What do you think about buying one off craigslist or is this something we definitely should get fitted for? Lastly, can the bigger/taller/heavier rider be in the back?

The tandem forum will have the answer to these questions.

Renting or borrowing a bike for a ride is a good first step. Then a used bike on Craigslist can get you in on the action. Tandem fit for some reason is easier than single bikes. Co-Motion, for example, has 4 sizes, and this is good for >90% of teams.

You can have plenty of fun on a $1000 Craigslist tandem, and at little financial risk because you can sell it again for the same price. Mrs. Ritterview and I still have a blast on our Burley Rock 'N Roll we've had since 1991. However, you'll likely start ideating about a definitive tandem, which is what we did, and so now we are awaiting delivery of our 23 lb Calfee Dragonfly (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=588997).

Do not worry about who is the Captain or Stoker, you'll work that out regardless of size. The more confident bike handler usually would be the Captain.

This is what I got, Craigslist as well.

http://www.yakima.com/racks/bike-racks/product/8002071/sidewinder.aspx


We have the same rack as well. Works on top of a station wagon but I don't think I'd want to put it on top of our mini-van.

My wife and I have thought about it. We'd like to try one, but I'm not sure it would work out. We are comfortable at dramatically different cadences.


To address dramatically different cadences on a tandem, you should look into the DaVinci tandem setups with their innovative ICS (Independent Coasting System) drivetrain which will allow you and your wife to pedal at your own paces. :thumb:

http://www.davincitandems.com/images/drvtrn.gif


http://www.davincitandems.com/dv2.html



.

My wife and I have thought about it. We'd like to try one, but I'm not sure it would work out. We are comfortable at dramatically different cadences.

Hey, you are married, you know what compromising is!

As a very active rider you surely have a higher cadence. Just slow down on the early rides and slightly improve the cadence as her cardio gets used to it. Another method is to use higher gears, you will get your workout while she enjoys a lower cadence.
The prime idea of tandeming is to have fun together, it's not how far or how fast you go (that's what my wife has to remind me once in a while :rolleyes:).

we are awaiting delivery of our 23 lb Calfee Dragonfly.

A 23 lb tandem? :eek:

Do you mean we are now pushing the equivalent of 2 tandems? :mad:

I am kind of relieved thinking it also means it costs >10 times more $ than ours. :thumb:

I am kind of relieved thinking it also means it costs >10 times more $ than ours. :thumb:

It was a relief to Mrs. Ritterview that it didn't cost the MSRP for all the components. I tallied the MSRP on the spreadsheet, but I was able to get discounts that kept the cost within reason.

It was a relief to Mrs. Ritterview that it didn't cost the MSRP for all the components. I tallied the MSRP on the spreadsheet, but I was able to get discounts that kept the cost within reason.

Whatever the cost it is a beauty!

I am just amazed at the 23 lb weight. Many single bikes weight as much or even more.
These Calfee tandems are really stunning aesthetically as well as mechanically. All owners seem to rave about them.

Thanks all! Uh, by the way, how does one transport a tandem? I'll be replacing my Caravan with Ford Escape small SUV. Can I put a tandem on the roof?

If you are in the market for a tandem and a small SUV at the same time, it is best to consider cars in which a tandem can be stored upright inside. It is sooooo handy to have the bike inside the car, upright, and poised for action.

Cars that can do this include the Honda Element and minivans (like the Caravan you already have). I have a Honda Odyssey and I use the heck out of it for bike transport. Lets say you go out of town for a ride, eg, Solvang. You pull up to the motel the night before with your bike ensconced snugly inside the car. Next morning you drive to where the ride starts, the bike still inside. You ride, and upon return, the bike goes inside. No dragging the tandem up to the second story, and trying to fit it in your room.

Likewise, no worries about leaving the bike on your car in parking lots while you go into a store, or running into the garage wall.


I am just amazed at the 23 lb weight. Many single bikes weight as much or even more.

These Calfee tandems are really stunning aesthetically as well as mechanically. All owners seem to rave about them.

If you look at how the weight got to where it was, the Calfee Dragonfly frame was helpful, because it weighs a pound or so less than an aluminum frame. Mainly, however, it was going weight weenie on the components, with a 1.15 lb assist from the Lightning Crank (which weighs that much less than the default choice FSA).

+1 on Zona's comments. He has a lot of miles, a lot of years and a lot of knowledge regarding tandems. So does TandemGeek. Spend time in the Tandems forum.

Who is the person with the most experience? Who will be the captain? If you want your significant other to continue to be the stoker, understand that he/she has lost control Therefore, I will pass along wisdom that was given to meand my wife (primarily me) when we purchased our first tandem. It is the captain's responsibility to tell the stoker when he/she is shifting, turning, braking,etc. Always ask your stoker if he/she needs a "bun break". Stokers don't get to stand a lot, so their sit bones get really sore, especially in the early stages. Also, be very sensitive to speed. Ask if your stoker is confortable at the speed you are going. Make your first trips pretty short and have a destination in mind.
Tandems are not like riding a single bike. They are not as responsive to turning, can go very fast downhill and go very slow uphill. i am telling you this, because you need to be thinking way ahead and planning your turns, speed, hazards, passing other riders, etc. Also, clip out of a pedal way before you need to stop. It is easy to fall over if you wait until the last minute to unclip.
Lastly, I will echo those that told you to talk to a reputable tandem dealer before purchasing. The sizing is critical. Tandem dealers can also help you get a good used tandem, although you may have to wait a long time to find one that is in good shape. We tried to find a good used tandem for our first one for almost six months. Rick Steele (Gold Country Tandems) was very picky and couldn't find one that he thought was any good. We ended up buying our first tandem (Burley Duet) from him. We also purchased our Calfee from him. Rick knows his stuff and is a perfectionist. I highly recommend him.

You can also remove the wheels and either fit it inside or across on a trunk rack. I use the trunk rack on my convertible with only one wheel off.

+1 - no special rack necessary. When the wife and daughter were doing the tandem thing, we just hung it on the regular rack on the back of the Tahoe. It was just about as long as the Tahoe was wide, and did not stick out on either end - especially with the front wheel removed.

Storing it was more of a pain than transporting it. No matter where I put it in the garage, it was always in the way. :)

Unfortunately, I don't have a choice on the vehicle. It's either the Ford Escape or the Ford Escape.

Unfortunately, I don't have a choice on the vehicle. It's either the Ford Escape or the Ford Escape.

The secret word is "Yakima." They have what you will need. A tandem-specific attachment that goes on their rack system will cost $350 or so. It goes on the roof, and it works very well. One person can get the twicer on or of the roof - not exactly easy-peezy lemon-squeezy, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist or Mr. Universe to do it, either.

You will be the captain, she will be the stoker. Not because of gender, but because I know you have a lot more riding experience than she does. But being the stoker has advantages - since the captain has all the responsibility to watch the road and react to conditions, the stoker is free to look around and enjoy the sights. The view directly forward is suboptimal (and from behind me, it's darn near impossible), but in every other direction, the stoker's view is vastly superior to the captain's. The stoker can gaze constantly at that cool tree off to the right or read the course route sheet or take photos or just gaze at the clouds. The captain better not any of those.

As has been mentioned by others, the key to fun, successful tandeming is communication. The next most important thing is communication. the third most important thing . . . you get the idea. At first, tell the stoker before you do anything, including shifting and turning and braking and coasting and resuming pedaling -- and for goodness sakes, call out bumps - all bumps, even dinky ones -- before you hit them so the stoker has a chance to unship some weight. (A few uncalled bumps with the stoker's bum full-bore on the saddle is a good way to have an ex-stoker.) Go overboard on the communication at first. After a surprisingly short amount of time, you will be able to "read" each other and a lot of the verbal communication will become unnecessary - you will feel as though you are riding as one. It's a really cool feeling.

But do not ever stop calling out the bumps.

None of this stuff - communication, controlling the bike, figuring out how to transport it, none of it - is that big a deal. Simply being aware of it takes care of at least 80% of the issues, and the vast majority of the rest comes very, very quickly. And it can be a real blast. There are a small handful of specific things you will have to learn that are different from riding a single and that someone will need to teach you, but it is a smal handful and they will quickly become second nature. Nuclear physics it ain't.

As for the bike itself, this is not a place to cut corners - the stresses on tandems can be pretty strong, and you want the bike to stand up to them. 40 spoke wheels at a minimum - 48 spokes is better. 28mm wide tries at the very least - 32 or 35 is better. And your tandem ought to be built and sold by people who have a good deal of experience with tandems.

Insist on some sort of a drag brake, meaning a brake at the rear hub that can be turned on and left on for long descents. The old standard Arai drum is fine for the job. Some tandems now come with, or equipped to add, a rear disc brake, which is probably even better. The drum brake will not slow you down by itself (do not ask me how I know this), but it will make your tandem accellerate much more slowly - and that can be very important, as otherwise, feathering your rims brakes to dissipate heat can scare the pants off of you (and the stoker) because the extra weight on not much extra rolling or wind resistance equals a machine that will feel like it has afterburners on descents compared to what you are used to. Since the drag brake is away from your tires and is not your main stopping device, the heat build-up in it is not a problem - you just let it soak up some of the desending speed and get as hot as it wants - and don't touch it after you stop. Again, knowing about this in advance takes care of the vast, vast majority of the issue. But get a drag brake of some sort. Trust me on this.

If the spousal unit is up for this, you guys will have a great time together. Tandeming can be be a real blast. I'm looking forward to seeing the two of you out on the road. :thumb:

Great info, Rich. Thanks very much! Thanks everyone for your insight!

I showed a picture I found on the "Happy tandems couple" thread to my wife. It is of Chris and Deb from Vacaville (I hope I got your names right) speeding along and smiling on their tandem. I think that's all she needed to see to start getting serious about the bike. Then I found a pic of a tandem couple pulling their small child along in a Burley type trailer and that put her over the edge. On our next date weekend (in three weeks), we're going to rent one, weather permitting.

Big hurdle. I priced a mid-level new tandem and they ain't cheap. I know I shouldn't cut corners as fit is extremely important but a couple of craigslist ads I ran across seem reasonable. Still a used tandem cost more than my REI bike equipped with Ultegra/105 parts which I bought brand new. I suppose a tandem is two bikes vs one.

Gotta stop looking at bikes now. I'm supposed to be studying!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Santana-Visa-Tandem_W0QQitemZ130340278692QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101#ht_734wt_1167

http://grandrapids.en.craigslist.org/bik/1446677657.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/1444654898.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/Santana-Visa-Tandem_W0QQitemZ130340278692QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101#ht_734wt_1167

http://grandrapids.en.craigslist.org/bik/1446677657.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/1444654898.html

The first one doesn't have a drag brake in the back. Do all frames have the clearance to add one, if he buys a used one?

I saw that Santana on eBay and it's priced well but too big for us. I ride a 52/54 normally and my wife is only 5'3" so her bike is a 48, I think.

The second one is in Grand Rapids, MI? Good price but shipping is going to be cost prohibitive probably.

The third looks like a comfort bike. Can they be converted to take slicks, drop bars and nifty drivetrain components? Might be cheaper to just buy a road tandem, no?

The two Santanas are medium size (what we have). You are definitely looking for a small.
The Burley in SF is a good one, it has 26" wheels rather than the usual 700c road wheels but can be converted with road bars and road/touring tires.
26" wheels are stronger than 700c and somewhat more versatile as you can ride on trails. As long as you are not planning to use tires smaller than 28mm and go for race speed they are a good alternative to consider.

We are never going to race but I would like to achieve a 16 mph average. I think I'll email the Burley seller.

Some thoughts on sizing:

You want to have the captain's position be pretty close to your normal size, because the captain has to be comfortable and be able to come off the bike without landing on his/her nether regions. So make sure the front cockpit works for you.

The size of the stoker's cockpi.e., its own bar-end shift lever (assuming your shifters are not barcons), or a downtube shift lever.

Right now, my tandem has barcon shifters for actual shifting. I add this strictly FYI, because I have never seen anyone else do it this way. I'd like to take credit for the idea, but it really was a combination of a friend of mione and Livermore Cyclery. In any event, it's a great set-up, IMHO. It has Shimano brifters, 8-speed, with nothing coming out of the front deraiieur cable port and the drag brake cable coming out of the rear deraileur port. It looks a little odd, but it works really well and has a number of advantages, not the least of which being that you can control all three brakes from the two levers but all three have their own independent control. It also has the advantage of making the drag brake easily fine-tuneable (which is why you should runs it from the right hand rear deraileur port, not the left hand one, because the left one has way too few "clicks" for this application - you end up with a drag brake that is either full-on or full-off instead of adjustable). Finally, if you use Shimano barcons for shifting, you always have a friction-shifting option in case something goes screwy with the indexing, which is more likely to happen than on your single becuase fo the much longer cable length.

+1 on Rich's comments above. I just got a drag brake and am still considering how to set its control. Your idea of using a brifter is really cool.
On the frame size I would recommend a smaller frame than your road bike if this one is on the larger end. Remember that as a captain you need to straddle the bike with the feet spread quite wide so that the pedals are able to freely turn without hitting your shins. Having a lower top tube also makes it a bit easier to get on the bike. You can compensate for the shorter top tube with a longer stem.

Discussion re drag brake went over my head. I think I have to ride one first then I'll understand it. Just emailed about the Burley tandem. I'll keep you posted.

I have another question about tandems so I'll start another thread.

I also recommend cruising around the "Tandems" forum.
+1
also, the "tandem@hobbes" list is helpful


To address dramatically different cadences on a tandem, you should look into the DaVinci tandem setups with their innovative ICS (Independent Coasting System) drivetrain which will allow you and your wife to pedal at your own paces.

uh, not quite - it's not "IPS" (Independent Pedalling System), it's ICS. If both riders are pedalling and both are contributing to making the bike go forward, with a DaVinci they would both be pedalling at the same rate. It may take a while for your speeds to synch.

I certainly wouldn't rule out a used tandem that didn't have either a drum or disc in the rear. There are a number of people still touring and doing highly technical long distance rides with v-brakes and cantis. We have a rear disc on our daVinci, but the stopping power of the front v-brake is really substantial. I think the key is not using rim brakes as drag brakes, letting the bike roll on the straights, braking before turns and carving the turn (hopefully without braking).

I'd definitely look for a used tandem that is "ride-ready". If you like tandeming and you want to upgrade you'll be able to sell your ride for what you paid. If you decide tandeming isn't your cup of tea you won't have invested additional money in your ride.

But do not ever stop calling out the bumps.


Unless, you're my captain. I got sick of hearing. "Bump. Bump. Bump". It seems like where we ride, there's a bump every 5 feet. I told him to shut up about the bumps. We worked out the size of the ones he needs to tell me about.

I actually have many more miles under my belt than my captain - all those double centuries and brevets really add up. But I'd much rather be the stoker anyway. :D

Veronica

Unless, you're my captain. I got sick of hearing. "Bump. Bump. Bump". It seems like where we ride, there's a bump every 5 feet. I told him to shut up about the bumps. We worked out the size of the ones he needs to tell me about.

I actually have many more miles under my belt than my captain - all those double centuries and brevets really add up. But I'd much rather be the stoker anyway. :D

Veronica

I have to agree... on one hand its nice knowing what's coming up, on the other hand, having things called out constantly is a little much. My captain is awesome though, I felt comfortable immediately.

I'm looking forward to my wife calling me, "Her Captain"!

+1 - no special rack necessary.

Civic...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/4088120929_31e4aef835_o.jpg

Creative packing. I love it.