Tandem Cycling - So many questions......

Hello all. My wife asked if we could get a tandem and I really dont know the answer to this and need to do more asking. So.... here I go:

1- Why choose tandem over single person bike? I am thinking that it will keep us closer together since she is not as fast yet nor likes long distances and I like both. Thoughts?

2- Is there any drawbacks to tandems?

3- What does one look for in tandems?

4- Does the person in the back get board since they do not shift or stear? I assume its a single speed in the back?

5- Anything to look out for when riding tandem versus single person bikes?

Any other advice/thoughts/concerns welcome.

thank you!

So many answers...

http://www.thetandemlink.com/LearningCenter.html

My wife and I just ordered our first tandem. We opted for a tandem because we thought we would enjoy being able to talk to each other instead of shouting over the road noises and wind. Another reason was being able to ride at the same speed without one of us worrying over about going too slow or fast for the other. Also, my wife is having some knee problems and we thought a tandem might allow her to avoid stressing it so much. Lastly, and most importantly, it looked like fun.

Being inexperienced ourselves, I can't say too much about drawbacks. We've learned that communication between the riders is essential. The stoker can't see the road ahead, so needs to be told about upcoming turns, hills, and bumps. Also, being around 8 feet long necessitates some changes in habits by the captain.

As far as what to look for, a proper fit and good components are essential. We went to a bike shop that features tandems. They provided lessons and let us test one out for as long as we wanted; highly recommended.

Boy are you lucky. In Pitts Grove, NJ is one of the largest tandem dealers around. www.tandemseast.com (http://www.tandemseast.com/) They Host a tandem show usually in March. Call, then than take a day and go see them. It will be well worth your while even if you don't buy a tandem. Take your riding gear with you as they will get you on a tandem (or several) during your visit

Background: The Captain (front person) and Stoker (back person) are both peddling at the same speed. Gear changes happen off the stokers chain ring and the rear hub just like your solo. It is a "fixed drive" between the Captain and the Stoker.

If you like being together and working at "things" together, there is a good chance you will enjoy tandems. We have talked about this and decided we know more couples who would hate tandems than couples who would like tandems. Someone is going to be in charge and someone is going to follow.

Tandem groups are different from single groups. When you check out the tandem link suggested by tandemgeek, look at events also. Most of them will be weekend events. A lot look more like couples events than singles events. Food and ice cream are usually important. A lot of tandem groups will include where the nearest ice cream is in their instructions. A lot of people on tandems are husband and wife.

Tandems are not better or worse, just a different activity.

Good luck and enjoy.

1- Why choose tandem over single person bike? I am thinking that it will keep us closer together since she is not as fast yet nor likes long distances and I like both. Thoughts?
Well, you'll definitely cycle at the same speed if you're on a tandem:) You each will be able to work at a rate that is comfortable (or uncomfortable if that's your preference). The stronger rider will find the tandem is faster on the flats and way faster downhill, but climbing speed tends to be near the average of the team. .

2- Is there any drawbacks to tandems?
The captain is responsible for the health and welfare of another soul. The stoker needs to be trusting of the captain's judgement and willing to give up "control". These are not necessarily drawbacks, but can strengthen a relationship. Maintenance is just a bit more than with a single. Acquisition cost, all things being equal, is higher. If you enjoy riding with groups, an tandem rides are not all that frequent depending upon your locale, you'll finding riding with groups of singles interesting.

3- What does one look for in tandems?
Depends very much on your goals, but fit would be right up there at the top of the list. You don't have to spend a great deal on a starter tandem, but if you buy one that doesn't fit it could kill the experience. Lot's of posts hereabouts or visit the suggested LBS and you'll come back much wiser in this area. Older tandems are out there and can be a very good value.

4- Does the person in the back get board since they do not shift or stear? I assume its a single speed in the back?
Boy, that's really a very individual thing. The shifting and steering is pretty automatic on any bike so I don't think that's a factor. The stoker can look around, listen to an ipod or similar, etc. (just don't wiggle), but as a captain I'm paying much more attention to the road (potholes, cracks, glass, etc.) than I do on my single. Physically, unless we're climbing, it's no harder than riding a single. We do use an intercom, but most teams don't and are perfectly fine without one.

5- Anything to look out for when riding tandem versus single person bikes?
You're going to be shifting a good deal more, at least that's what I've found. Your cadence and your stoker's might not match all that well so more shifts may be required to keep you in a compromise cadence. Starting will take some practice especially on a decent grade, but everyone who rides a tandem has mastered this. You want to make sure the brakes are really in good condition 'cause a tandem pointed downhill picks up speed very fast; on one organized ride we had three singles drafting us at 55 mph and many tandems have gone faster.

We really enjoy our tandem. It enables us to ride together and we're doing 100K - 100mi organized rides at a reasonably advanced age (total > 130 yrs) which we couldn't be doing on our respective singles, and this after a 20+ year absence from cycling. Sometimes things go awry and you just have to deal with it; I cramp on a century with 20+ miles to go into a really bad headwind and my wife worked like a dog to get us home with my being able to turn the pedals over.

I'd say go for it.

sounds freaking awesome. Some more questions:

1) I know this might be hard to answer but is a tandem usually double the price of a single road bike? (might be a dumb question but just curious)

2) How do you trasport a tandem?

sounds freaking awesome. Some more questions:

1) I know this might be hard to answer but is a tandem usually double the price of a single road bike? (might be a dumb question but just curious)

2) How do you trasport a tandem?

1. Roughly, assuming you're comparing bikes of similar quality.

2. Several options:
My favorite option is inside of a minivan, removing the front wheel and stabilizing the fork with a fork mount on a piece of plywood. We made sure out tandem would fit before we bought our Honda Element.
If you have a stable rear rack, a tandem will only stick out about 12" on each side of the car. If you remove the front wheel the bike might not stick out at all on the side.
If you already own a roof rack system, there are mounts to hold a tandem.

If your wife asked for a tandem then you should definitely get one.

They make tandem carriers most popular is the ATOC tandem topper which swivels at the fork attachment so you can load the bike from the side.

Re: Question #2, Post #6: I have a Ford Ranger with a 6' bed and a large Cannondale tandem. I have one of those fork mount racks that spans the front of the bed. I can just fit the bike in diagonally with the fork in the rack and the tailgate closed. Or I can fit the bike straight with the tailgate down.

I have also carried the bike on a typical trunk rack (Saris Bones). This is OK but not ideal. I take off both wheels and use a couple of ropes/tie downs to keep the frame from swinging around so much.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p-7soM3NytA/SNmrBN3TN2I/AAAAAAAABJs/b2G_NA4xwv8/s400/CIMG7245.JPG

With both the wheels removed, our Specialized Sequoia fits in the back of a Jetta (with the seats folded down of course). But for short trips I just take the front wheel off and let the fork and handlebars hang out the back, secured by a bungee.

Any other advice/thoughts/concerns welcome.

You can go really fast down hills on a tandem!

Always a good idea to make sure the brakes are in good working order before going really fast down hills.

You can go really fast down hills on a tandem!

Always a good idea to make sure the brakes are in good working order before going really fast down hills.

Always a good idea to also make sure your stoker is comfortable with going really fast down hills first. Otherwise you may not get them back on.

Always a good idea to also make sure your stoker is comfortable with going really fast down hills first. Otherwise you may not get them back on.

Yes, indeed. Must maintain cordial relations with the stoker at all times.

215938Another way to carry a tandem
R&J

We are new to Tandeming and we just love it. Being a stronger rider than me wife, I was always having to slow down to ride with her (not a good idea to drop the wife on a ride) and she would be struggling it ride faster than her comfort zone for me. Our tandem is the perfect solution for us and now that we have had the tandem for over a month, we have not been out on our single bikes yet. I say go for it!

As for transporting it, on my wife's car we also use her Saris Bones rack with the front wheel removed. I bought a hitch rack for my car and the front wheel turns sideways to shorten it up. We tend to use the hitch rack more than the trunk rack.

215973

Check out this site. It'll answer many of your questions. http://santanatandem.com/Started.html It's from Santana's website and they are real flagwavers for their products, but it's very good information. BTW, I own a Santana and love it, but the best advice is to go out and ride as many different bikes as you can. Like a single bike, you'll feel the differences pretty quickly. Tandems East is a great resource less than an hour from your house.

Some answers:

Riding a tandem is a lot like canoeing. Does the couple like canoeing together, or do they tend to blame each other when something unexpected happens?

The bike: Tandems are big – long wheelbase and 300-400 lbs with two riders. They are not agile – they are more like driving a truck and a trailer. They like open roads with room to breathe, not tight areas, bumps, or sidewalks. Understand these obvious limitations, and you’ll have fun. Personally, I find rail-to-trail rides ideal for a tandem.

The captain will always have to be aware of the stoker’s needs and compromise for that person (gearing, cadence, braking, accelerating, obstacles in front of the bike (bumps, trees)). Riding in the back is nice in that you don’t have to worry about too much, but you do have to trust your captain to be thinking of you. I don’t think it is boring, it is relaxing.

I just put the bike on a rear mount rack (trailer hitch) usually without the front tire. If I can do this in a Miata, you should have no problems. (setup rather like post #9).

Besides, I like it when she scratches my back on those hot days…

I asked my wife (stoker) what she would say to someone who asked her what was I portent about a tandem.
Here is what she said:

1. You must be able to communicate.
2. Get good comfortable saddles (not the big butt saddles but good racing saddles that are comfortable for you)
3. Get good shorts.
4. Get a tandem, she did not have any idea what kind, this is my department.

We have had 5 tandems over the years and have learned a little bit about them. So my suggestion for a new team is to buy a good used tandem and then see if you like riding together. We bought an older Santana about a year ago, after an abscense of about 15 years from riding. We found that we still really enjoyed ridng together so after around 2500 miles on the old tandem we decided to upgrade. We bought a new Calfee and are completely thrilled with our choice. We were able to sell the older bike with no problem.

1- Why choose tandem over single person bike? I am thinking that it will keep us closer together since she is not as fast yet nor likes long distances and I like both. Thoughts?
*I am a pretty strong rider compared to my wife. On the Tandem I never have to wait on her, worry about her keeping up, or wonder if she is getting bored or tired. My wife never really rode before the tandem...just around the neighborhood. Since February, we have logged well over 1000 miles and are packing for our first tour...over 500 miles. When you're together, the miles FLY BY!

2- Is there any drawbacks to tandems?
*YES...it's hard to wipe the permanent smile off your face. Really? No drawbacks.

3- What does one look for in tandems?
*My wife has seizures and cannot ride a bike by herself. We needed a bike that she could ride without falling off, one she didn't have to control, one she could stop pedeling if necessary, and one I could totally contol by myself if necessary. We found a Vision recumbent tandem that met all those requirements. Each team will have their requirements, but buy a QUALITY BIKE...it will make riding so much more fun.

4- Does the person in the back get board since they do not shift or stear? I assume its a single speed in the back?
*I have a GPS in the stoker position to monitor speed, time, etc. She can also use it to find our next food stop. My stoker is also responsible for checking our 6, monitoring traffic and traffic lights, waving to fellow riders, keeping me hydrated and fed, and squirting rogue dogs with the water bottle. Oh yeah, she's also in charge of pictures and keeps an eye on our dog when she rides with us.


5- Anything to look out for when riding tandem versus single person bikes?
*Tandems are the BIG RIGS in the bike world. Nothing happens fast...starting, stopping, turning, etc.

Best regards
Bob
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/8981

great info.... thank you.

How about bike fit? More important for the capitin versus the stoker? I am 6 foot 4 and my wife is much shorter then me.

great info.... thank you.

How about bike fit? More important for the capitin versus the stoker? I am 6 foot 4 and my wife is much shorter then me.

Ah someone with our little problem, I'm 6 ft. and my wife, (she likes to be called the "Navigator", not Stroker), she's a strapping 5 foot with only a 26in. inseam! We tried to find a used road tandem and nothing we found would fit "both" of us. Then we started looking a "Hybrid Tandems" and found the Trek T-900 with a, 18.5/14.5 frame and YEA, it actually fit us, "Me" (pilot), yes the seat post is a bit high but it's below the "min. zone" and for her the 14.5 is PERFECT and if your back seat ain't comfortable, YOU will HEAR it, FYI! Back in our "motorcycle" days, there was a saying, "If Mamma ain't Happy, NOBODY is happy"! Keep looking till you find something in your budget, that FITS the both of you, you'll thank yourself as the miles add up, jmho, ymmv.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0MrdA8Y8o4Y/TlJTBcPmwDI/AAAAAAAADwo/d6CnQb9wAFk/s640/bjandjopeoplespedalparty-08-2011.jpg

bj: stoker doesnt have a water bottle cage?

Always a good idea to also make sure your stoker is comfortable with going really fast down hills first. Otherwise you may not get them back on.My stoker closes her eyes. She can now keep her eyes open up to about 42. She doesn't mind going faster, she just can't watch. She's very smooth with her eyes closed, or open for that matter. This is that trust thing they're talking about. Best way to build that is to not screw up. Best way to do that is start with the simple stuff, easy rides, and ride conservatively, much more so than on a single. Which doesn't necessarily mean slow, just do everything more smoothly and earlier than on a single. Ride like a pilot, head moving, constant situational awareness, a little more room to each side. If something goes wrong, we have a discussion after about how we'll prevent that from happening in the future, just like everything else in our lives. I have screwed up a few times, but always at low speed. We have friends in our group who say it doesn't count if there's no blood. The hardest thing for us has been learning how to stand together. We do fine now, but it took 3 years.

Perhaps the coolest thing about tandeming is that your feet are connected by the timing chain, so you feel the other person pedaling. Actually, you shouldn't feel them at all, because they should be in sync with you, but you do feel each other. So it's a little like dancing or other such things, very personal. Jealous men will holler "Lucky!" at you.

We have a new tandem in our group with a short stoker. They bought a Co-Motion PeriScope Torpedo, base model. They didn't really need that low a stoker stand-over, but their kids will be able to stoke, too.

Ah someone with our little problem, I'm 6 ft. and my wife, (she likes to be called the "Navigator", not Stroker), she's a strapping 5 foot with only a 26in. inseam! We tried to find a used road tandem and nothing we found would fit "both" of us.

I'm also 6', and beloved stoker is 5', however her inseam is a whopping 28 inches. Co-Mo medium geometry worked for us, though her seatpost is pretty slammed and she has little stepover to spare:



216173

Our geometry does have a 2 inch longer top-tube in the stoker compartment compared to true stock geometry. This was done to move her very narrow handlebar out of the way of the Captain's wide posterior.

bj: stoker doesnt have a water bottle cage?

Its there, look closer.

...Ride like a pilot, head moving, constant situational awareness, a little more room to each side. If something goes wrong, we have a discussion after about how we'll prevent that from happening in the future, just like everything else in our lives... .

+1. My stoker actually gets to look at the scenery. I'm spending a lot of time scanning the road both close in for hazards (glass, nails, etc.) and further ahead for road condition, camber, curve, traffic, etc. And if the stoker is uncomfortable, I'm uncomfortable. The only thing that concerns my stoker on the downhills is passing a lot of singles since on large, organized rides singles can be very, very sketchy and often hog the road. They are clueless that an overtaking tandem might actually be going considerably faster on an otherwise safe road.

bj: stoker doesnt have a water bottle cage? Howdy, she uses a "Camelback", it keeps the water "colder, longer" and she doesn't seem to have the "weight on the shoulder" problems that I do. We had a handlebar waterbottle cage mounted but it interfered with her knee so we took it off.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dr31CNixNGk/TjrfNSrLSNI/AAAAAAAADuk/fh7YFl57VMw/s720/R1-06071-011A.jpg

Regarding transporting a tandem, we have a Honda Odyssey. I have a 10' aluminum square "U" channel that I slip up the center. The "U" channel is used to make screened in patios here in FLA.

I don't know if they are available at home depots in other parts of the country, but any 2" wide 8' - 10' channel product should work. If not a 10" piece of 4" x 1" and 2 pcs of 2" x 1" wood could easily be fashioned into a suitable channel. If the bike is a MTB bike you might want to use 6" x 1" material to accommodate the wider tires.

I then start the bike with the front wheel in the rail, push it forward, and then lift the back of the bike into the rail. The key is to move the rear seats up a bit and rotate the crank so that the left pedal is about 11 o'clock and the right is about 5 o'clock. This sets the pedals in a perfect position to maximize the forward motion of the bike. Once in, the rear hatch closes perfectly. Removing the bike is simple as the front tire follows the channel and doesn't get hung up because the front wheel stays straight.

bj: stoker doesnt have a water bottle cage?

If in the rare case the stoker does not, or if you need more bottle capacity, a seat post 2 bottle holder works great.

If in the rare case the stoker does not, or if you need more bottle capacity, a seat post 2 bottle holder works great.

Thanks, I saw one on a really nice road bike today as we were riding along, and thought, "Hey, maybe" that would work so I'll look into it. I've got a Camelback type unit but with having "Reiter's Syndrome", (chronic arthritis), my shoulders just have a cow, using it full of ice and water. :( That would bring up the water capacity for us, which would be a great idea when we start touring, next summer! :D

few more questions:

1- A kick stand.... all tandems have them and is it advisable to have one? I dont use them on my road bike but I know its different
2- At a stop light, do you both have to touch the ground?
3- what was the hardest thing for you all to get used to?
4- Are tandems the same length?

1- A kick stand.... Most tandems don't have them here in the states, but that's more or less a carry-over from single-bike culture / fashion. I'd guess maybe 1/50 have them. Mud guards (aka, fenders) fall into the same category.

2- At a stop light, do you both have to touch the ground? Some do, many don't. Depends on which 'technique' you find most comfortable for starting and stopping. My petite stoker clips in when we start off for a ride and doesn't unclip and put a foot down until she has a reason to get off the bike at a stop. Other's prefer to do the synchronized swimming thing.

3- what was the hardest thing for you all to get used to? Finding good and useful information about tandems.

4- Are tandems the same length? No. Tandem lengths are all over the map depending on the size of the captain and the design-spec. used by different builders for stoker compartments. For example, Santana uses something like 27.75" for stoker compartments whereas Co-Motion uses 28.5", Rodriguez uses 31" or something like that, and Cannondale varies the length based on the size of the frame.

1. Kickstand: We were hoping to be able use a "double legged" kickstand we have from our old hybrids but there's not enough room, too close to chain wheels, etc, for my comfort. So we will be using a "Clickstand" http://www.click-stand.com/ Were currently using one left over from my old touring bike and it works ok, but plan to order the "special" one for Tandems, when they return from vacation in Sept. Humm I guess we are 1 in 50 as we have both a type of kickstand and fenders. ;)

2. My wife (navigator), keeps her feet on the pedals at a stop and when starting, but as TG stated it's what "technique" you like to use.

3. Remembering all the "commands", that "pilots" have to voice for the "navigator" ,(wife HATES being called a stroker!!)! Agree with TG, wish there was a Tandem Forum, like "Bentrideronline.com" for Bents.

3- what was the hardest thing for you all to get used to?
The psychology of climbing (for me) is very different. When you're grinding away at 5 mph on a long climb (think 1 hr+) negative thinking can come into play, but it's all part of the experience and hasn't hurt our relationship and the benefits clearly outweigh the downside.

1- A kick stand: We do not have a kickstand and haven't really found a need to have one. I can always find something to lean it against and keeping the weight off the bike seems more beneficial to us than having one.

2- At a stop light, do you both have to touch the ground? : Like stated above, techniques vary, but we found what works the best for us is for the Stoker to stay clipped in unless she plans on dismounting.

3- what was the hardest thing for you all to get used to? : I think standing while pedaling has been the hardest for us. We are getting much better at standing, but it still isn't as smooth as it could be.

3- what was the hardest thing for you all to get used to?
The psychology of climbing (for me) is very different. When you're grinding away at 5 mph on a long climb (think 1 hr+) negative thinking can come into play, but it's all part of the experience and hasn't hurt our relationship and the benefits clearly outweigh the downside.

I agree with this one. I like to think of myself as being a pretty good climber while my wife is not a very strong climber. It doesn't stop us from doing a fair amount of climbing and enjoying it, just have to use smaller gears and go slower. I also like to stand a lot during climbing but do less of that on the tandem. I always approach a tandem ride as conserving my energy because if I am spent part way through the ride its no fun.

Not standing as much. I like to stand a lot on my single even though I know it is not as efficient. Standing is even more fun on the tandem. I feel like we are really dancing in time up the road. Gets some great looks going around corners too! My stoker doesn't like to stand any more than needed to get a break once and a while. We comprimise on it just like everything on the tandem.

Stoker and I both know how much less efficient standing is, and we do it only for butt breaks, not hills. When powering, we sit.

Does any of your stokers do anything to annoy you when you ride? I can see my wife poking me, pinching me and tickling me.

fun time this will be :)

Stoker do anything to annoy me? Nope!

We laugh, talk, stop to eat and take pictures. We have stopped to pee at a firehouse, bottle recycling station, and a corn field. She feeds me, passes my water bottle, runs the GPS, and in general is my partner. The only thing that REALLY bugs me is that we didn't do this 30 YEARS AGO!

Best regards
Bob
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/8981 (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/8981)

She scratches my back and if feeling playful, may pinch my butt. :rolleyes: :tandem:


Does any of your stokers do anything to annoy you when you ride? I can see my wife poking me, pinching me and tickling me.

fun time this will be :)

Howdy, she uses a "Camelback", it keeps the water "colder, longer" and she doesn't seem to have the "weight on the shoulder" problems that I do. We had a handlebar waterbottle cage mounted but it interfered with her knee so we took it off.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dr31CNixNGk/TjrfNSrLSNI/AAAAAAAADuk/fh7YFl57VMw/s720/R1-06071-011A.jpg

We figured out a way to get the "stroker" water bottles so my wife could reach them and it gave us, "5 water bottle" capability too boot! :)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zZ0TPeceXPQ/TnpewBfqOYI/AAAAAAAAD14/izMKKJFCqTU/s512/DSCN0019.JPG

I have nothing to add but interesting thread. I just started riding again a little over a year ago at 50 and soon found out it is just as much fun as when I was a kid. My friend seen how much fun I was having and so she bought a bike this spring. While I have done well over 3000 miles in that time of course she has done much less. But one thing for sure is we enjoying riding together a lot.

Which brings me to my point. I mentioned to her about the couples I see on tandems and the fun they appear to be having and maybe we should look into giving one a try which she thinks would be fun. Since than I've been trying to "learn the rules" as it were and this thread really shines.

Quick little story. Last night I went to a local cyclecross practice and was amazed to see a couple on a tandem out there. The thing that really struck was the smile that was on the strokers face. For the hour I watched they never went by me without that hug smile on her face and you could tell he was enjoying it just as much. The real amazing part was they were just as fast if not faster than a lot of the single riders. Clearly not their first rodeo because the captain guided that big long bike like a pro over the dips and tight corners. Truly fun to watch.

fasthair

Nice cyclocross story! Its amazing to see them at mountain bike races, so I'm told (never seen one myself - probably too busy racing than watching).