How Would You Do It???

[LuisB]

Just curious!

If you get the chance to put together your own tandem using the knowledge you have gained from your present equipment, what components would you use?

Let's assume you already have the frameset picked.

LuisB

[galen_52657]

Campy 10 speed. 11-27 Wheels Manufacturing cassette. Might try a compact double crankset w/ 38/52 chain rings. 52/11 should be enough top gear. 38/27 would be low enough depending on the stoker. I would have a triple crank backup for heavy climbing situations.

[halfbiked]

I don't want to hijack the thread. But, noticed the other day on our cannondale that the stoker cranks are shorter than the captain cranks. Is this normal? (It does make sense though, as I'm larger & stronger than my stoker).

[galen_52657]

I don't want to hijack the thread. But, noticed the other day on our cannondale that the stoker cranks are shorter than the captain cranks. Is this normal? (It does make sense though, as I'm larger & stronger than my stoker).

Depends on the frame size. A small frame might come with 170/170's a mid-sized or large 175/170's. I ride 180's so I had to buy my own cranks and install them.

[TandemGeek]

I don't want to hijack the thread. But, noticed the other day on our cannondale that the stoker cranks are shorter than the captain cranks. Is this normal? (It does make sense though, as I'm larger & stronger than my stoker).

Yes, it's normal. I'm not sure who to credit (or perhaps blame), but I can guess.

Regardless of attribution, you will find that many stock tandems come fitted with 175mm cranks in front and 170mm cranks in the rear. There are 170/170 combinations offered by a few manufacturers.

In general, this causes a lot of captains to ride tandems with cranks that are a bit too long but, as consumers, we're told that's OK... the added leverage will come in handy! Conversely, many stokers end up with cranks that are too long. Go figure. That's not to say that you can't get cranks that are sized more proportionately....

FSA offers front or rear cranks in 170, 172.5, and 175mm, daVinci offers front cranks from 170 - 180mm and rear from 165 - 175mm, and Specialities TA offers a similarly wide range of choices. That's about it, short of modifying stock single cranksets with helicoils to get custom combinations.

[TandemGeek]

If you get the chance to put together your own tandem using the knowledge you have gained from your present equipment, what components would you use?

Actually, this is a "it depends" type of question. What is your goal?

A super-svelt racing tandem where price is no object and the ultimate goal is minimal weight and maximum bling?

OR

An uber-tandem for touring where durability and availability/compatibility of replacement parts is the most important issue?

OR

The best-bang for the buck?

For me, the component choices would be quite different for these different applications.

[stapfam]

I run a Cannondale MT and for the type of off roading I do, It has to be strong. As parts have worn out on the Drive train, they have been upgraded to Shimano XT, all except the cranks that are Sugino XD, cheap and nasty but so far indestructable. Extra strength on the wheels is required, so Hope Bigun hubs, with Mavic X729 rims and straight gauge spokes are well strong. Brakes were initially V's so are now Hope Mono M4's and these are the business. Front suspension is taken care of by Rockshox Boxer Team. These are better forks out there, but these were just about affordable and work well enough. What these forks did give me though was the 20mm bolt through axle, and the solidity this gives to the front end has greatly improved confidence on the fast downhills. Other parts that have been changed are to do with comfort, obviously saddles, but riser bars front and rear, that are also wider and stronger. Bar grips to each riders likes, and bar ends for the pilot. There is only one thing to change now and that is the stokers suspension post, and I am looking at the thudbuster. Anyone any experience of this post? as so far, all I have heard is very favourable comments

On the differing Crank lengths, it is normal that the pilot is a taller rider, with longer legs, so I would have expected the crank length on the front to be longer. It isn't on our Dale being a L/M. and both being 175mm. On my solo I run 170, but if and when the sugino's need replacing, it will be replaced with a 175 0n the front and 170 on the rear.

If I were starting from scratch, I would build the same bike with the same components, but possibly with a better fork. For aggressive offroad, things have to be strong, and this bike has the strength to take everything that the pilot throws at it.