Fifty Plus (50+) - Fidelity

Many here post about new bikes, speculate about new bikes. I've done both. Recently, I speculated about a possible new tandem.

Instead, I cleaned (deep cleaned) the 1995 Santana, fine-tuned the bar end shifters so they work (in friction mode) with new wheels and a new 9 speed cassette (all the way from Colorado), swapped all the cables for new slicker ones, put some india-rubber-like Koolstop pads on the tuned and adjusted cantilevers, and put new double padded bar tape on it, fine-tuned the captain and stoker geometry, and installed a grippy pair of 28 tyres.

And I no longer want a new one. I'm no longer irritated by out-of-true componentry, and am enjoying the bike as much as when it was new.

And, I'm enjoying that my leg (older story) is now strong enough to launch and land a tandem, and that stoker-in chief trusts me to captain. That's the fidelity part.

We're up to metrics already, after almost a year's lay-off from tandems!

Enjoy, all

R

I followed pretty much that same patter for over 18 years with my Bridgestone RB-1. A few times I came close to deciding to replace the bike, but instead I upgraded or renewed the components, wheels and once even the paint. When I find something that works for me as well as that bike, I tend to stay with it. A distracted driver ended that relationship last month, so I am now looking to make a full bore move into modern technology, but I was happy to pass that up for years to keep the magic going.

Congrats and ENJOY!! We haven't had the pleasure of having an "OLD" tandem as of yet so any tandem for us will be either "new" or new to us! ;) We are hoping to be able to save enough over a couple of years to get a "Bike Friday Family Tandem", (non-custom version) as it will add a whole new dimension to our riding. We can't afford a car and car insurance, all of our rides have to "start" from homebase, which with Jo's little vacation time, means we spend, a lot of time, doing the SAME roads. With a "Bike Friday" tandem we could pack them, put the cases on a Greyhound, (I really miss Continental Trailways!!), then pick up the "Amtrack" in Denver and get to a "new" starting point" for our unsupported mini-tours, that would be SO AWESOME!!

We did however buy, "beta bikes", backups, in the USED market this year so we could continue to ride, utility, etc. when the "alpha bikes" are in shop for service and my beta bike will now do all the "towing" of our utility trailer so my alpha bike get's a break! Take care, ride Safe, have FUN!

...
Instead, I cleaned (deep cleaned) the <insert bike name here>, fine-tuned the shifters so they work, with new/trued wheels and a new x speed cassette, swapped all the cables for new slicker ones, put some india-rubber-like pads on the tuned and adjusted <insert brake of choice>, and put new double padded bar tape on it, fine-tuned the riding position, and installed a grippy pair of <insert size> tyres.

I think everyone with a (steel)bike that's at least 15-20 years old should do the above (+ what BD said about repainting the frame); it's like getting a brand new bike, especially if it's been hanging in the garage for more than a few years.:thumb: