Tandem Cycling - What women really want

Last year I married my wife after being together 22 years. Did she jump for joy? No!

I just finished building a new house for my wife .http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo135/velonomad/housesm.jpg
Did she jump for joy? No!

Yesterday I bought my wife a Brooks B135 to replace her deteriorating B66 on the tandem, She was ecstatic ! I have never seen her so happy! she even took it to her work to show off .

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo135/velonomad/DSCN0229.jpg

Different women want different things . . .

I can see this, as Mrs. R is similarly ecstatic about the Fizik Vesta that we got to replace (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?618420-What-did-you-just-buy-for-your-tandem&p=10569150&viewfull=1#post10569150) the Specialized Ruby that she found punishing. If we had just started with the Fizik, she never would have appreciated it so much. There is some lesson in that, but I am not sure what.


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Nice svelte saddle you have Mr R! I'll bet it doesn't weigh 1650 grams!

Nice svelte saddle you have Mr R! I'll bet it doesn't weigh 1650 grams!

Come to realize, I hadn't checked the weight. I had high hopes for the Specialized Ruby, which I had got with some promotional consideration from Specialized, it weighs 200 grams. It had good reviews (http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/controls/saddles/specialized/PRD_409458_2509crx.aspx#reviews) but just didn't work for Mrs. R. Now, I've checked, the Fizik Vesta isn't exactly weight weenie at 271 grams (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-components/2010-fizik-vesta-k%3Aium-women%27s-saddle-6871.236.0.html), but I shan't worry about that-- No where in cycling is being weight weenie less advisable than in a stoker's saddle.

Nothing wrong with a Brooks or two on your tandem. Yes, I know the timing chain needed tightening.

Pic taken from http://twotoneatl.com/2009/06/10/the-7th-annual-tennessee-tandem-rally-2009/ No Brakes Atlanta Blog Archive 2007 -2009 (but it is my bike)


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I can't say what my wife said when she saw it because this is a family show ;) but I'm glad you're wife is happy with it. Comfort trumps style and weight...usually.

Reminds of those French Nuns.

But was she still ecstatic after going for a ride on it?

We had a chance today to try out her new saddle. We checked it out on a section of local bike trail that is badly heaved from roots and frost. She loves it overall, especially the front loop spring which is softer than the rear coils so more of the shock is transfered to the rear of the saddle. She isn't so sure about the lower rear coils yet . The upper coils are the same as her old b66 saddle. The lower coils are stiffer and work in extension, they would work better for a heavier rider .

Because of the extension rods that extend down through the lower coils the saddle flexes side to side some. That part she isn't loving so much . I did some measuring tonight and discovered that a standard B66 or B67 frame ($25 from Wallingford) would fit and eliminate the lower rear coils while retaining the front loop. It would also save over 400 grams. But she wants to wait until after our spring vacation rides before I make any changes.