zonatandem
How many and what kind of tandems have you owned + comments.
What would you like to own and why?
What would you like to own and why?
Tandems owned???
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Trsnrtr
How many and what kind of tandems have you owned + comments.
What would you like to own and why?
1983 - '78 Motebecane for a summer (a slug, but got my wife and I riding a tandem)
1988 - '79 Schwinn Paramount (dual men's version, cornered on a dime, was a noodle in a sprint)
1991 - '91 Rodriquez AL w/26" wheels. (Total P.O.S. owned it for 500 miles)
1992 - '92 Santana Noventa, all Campy. (Beautiful bike, loved it, rode it 30k miles, sold it and miss it dearly)
2002 - '02 AL Santana Sovereign, diamond red finish, Shimano wheels (Pretty bike and a nice riding machine. A little more subdued handling than the Paramount and the Noventa)
What would you like to own and why?
1983 - '78 Motebecane for a summer (a slug, but got my wife and I riding a tandem)
1988 - '79 Schwinn Paramount (dual men's version, cornered on a dime, was a noodle in a sprint)
1991 - '91 Rodriquez AL w/26" wheels. (Total P.O.S. owned it for 500 miles)
1992 - '92 Santana Noventa, all Campy. (Beautiful bike, loved it, rode it 30k miles, sold it and miss it dearly)
2002 - '02 AL Santana Sovereign, diamond red finish, Shimano wheels (Pretty bike and a nice riding machine. A little more subdued handling than the Paramount and the Noventa)
DocF
What we have: 2003 Cannondale MT800. It was the only tandem we could afford that would fit my wife and me.
What I really would like to have: Something titanium. I've not seen one of their tandems, but I am very impressed with Seven's half bikes.
I guess I became infatuated with titanium when I was stooging on the Dowker-Soltow titanium roadster sprint car. It was so good it was made illegal.
Doc
What I really would like to have: Something titanium. I've not seen one of their tandems, but I am very impressed with Seven's half bikes.
I guess I became infatuated with titanium when I was stooging on the Dowker-Soltow titanium roadster sprint car. It was so good it was made illegal.
Doc
zonatandem
1: 1975 Follis. Rode it for 2 years; learned how to tandem on this bike. Also learned what we liked/disliked and then designed our first custom tandem.
2: 1977 Assenmacher, full custom male/ladyback. One of the lightest tandems in its time at 34 1/2 lbs (when others were building 'light' 45 lb tandems). Built out of Reynolds 531 racing tubing/531 fork. Chromed rear triangle/fork. Fast, light, very maneuverable. 60 1/4 inch wheelbase with bent rear seattube and toeclip overlap. Rode it for 64,000 miles. A real great 'go fast' machine!
3:1984 Colian, custom male/ladyback. 531 racing tubing except for oversize down tube. Handmade chromed lugs. Stretched wheelbase to 63 1/2 inches. A rolling work of art. Rode as good as it looked.
4: 1993 Co-Motion custom male/ladyback. Tange Prestige tubing. Chromed rear triangle/fork. Nice handling/riding. Custom airbrushed desert scene on the oval boob tube .
5: 2003 Zona Davis Double carbon fiber tandem. Custom/prototype c/f adjustable stoker stem, rear rack and stoker handrests. Very light (26 1/2 lbs without pedals and 'stuff') 30 lbs ready to roll. Light, compact, easy to climb with and great handling.
Having ridden over 30+ brands/models of tandems in steel, alu, ti and carbon fiber; we believe c/f is the sleeping giant for tandems.
2: 1977 Assenmacher, full custom male/ladyback. One of the lightest tandems in its time at 34 1/2 lbs (when others were building 'light' 45 lb tandems). Built out of Reynolds 531 racing tubing/531 fork. Chromed rear triangle/fork. Fast, light, very maneuverable. 60 1/4 inch wheelbase with bent rear seattube and toeclip overlap. Rode it for 64,000 miles. A real great 'go fast' machine!
3:1984 Colian, custom male/ladyback. 531 racing tubing except for oversize down tube. Handmade chromed lugs. Stretched wheelbase to 63 1/2 inches. A rolling work of art. Rode as good as it looked.
4: 1993 Co-Motion custom male/ladyback. Tange Prestige tubing. Chromed rear triangle/fork. Nice handling/riding. Custom airbrushed desert scene on the oval boob tube .
5: 2003 Zona Davis Double carbon fiber tandem. Custom/prototype c/f adjustable stoker stem, rear rack and stoker handrests. Very light (26 1/2 lbs without pedals and 'stuff') 30 lbs ready to roll. Light, compact, easy to climb with and great handling.
Having ridden over 30+ brands/models of tandems in steel, alu, ti and carbon fiber; we believe c/f is the sleeping giant for tandems.
bentbaggerlen
Hmmm, lets see not sure of the years so I start with the newest bikes first.
Longbikes, Gulfstream LWB/USS recumbent. Mostly XT and a little 105 used for touring. Racks and fenders. SON hub
Organic Engines Trioka tandem recumbent tandem trike. XT/105 mix, Avid disks with 203mm rotors
Rans Screamer SWB/ASS recumbent Mostly XT and a little 105 used for touring. Racks and fenders. SON hub
Santana Sovereign-Used for one "light" tour problem with broken axels (4 in 1500 miles) due to bad frame alinement returned to builder.
Cannondale MTB tandem all XT have used Holston PDS fork untill I broke it, Then a MOTO 120, broke that too, now has a FR100 fork.
Burley Duet, Phil hubs XT/105
Trek T2000, switched to drop bars and used for touring.
Longbikes, Gulfstream LWB/USS recumbent. Mostly XT and a little 105 used for touring. Racks and fenders. SON hub
Organic Engines Trioka tandem recumbent tandem trike. XT/105 mix, Avid disks with 203mm rotors
Rans Screamer SWB/ASS recumbent Mostly XT and a little 105 used for touring. Racks and fenders. SON hub
Santana Sovereign-Used for one "light" tour problem with broken axels (4 in 1500 miles) due to bad frame alinement returned to builder.
Cannondale MTB tandem all XT have used Holston PDS fork untill I broke it, Then a MOTO 120, broke that too, now has a FR100 fork.
Burley Duet, Phil hubs XT/105
Trek T2000, switched to drop bars and used for touring.
keffner
My girlfriend and I purchased our 1st tandem, a Raleigh Companion. This entry-level bike does the trick for us. I got a deal on it for little over $500. We researched the internet and saw that through other reviews that there was a factory defect that causes blowouts in the first 20-100 miles. I upgraded to serfas drifter tires (inverted tread) and has a stout sidewall. We also upgraded the brakes to Shimano XT v-brakes.
We decided to keep the seats, even though most upgrade them that buy a Companion. oh yeah those comfort platform pedals went first, replaced by cage pedals with toe straps for the stoker. We may even upgrade the comfort grips in the future. Sounds like i could have gotten a more expensive bike for the money I have in upgrades on this bike-------we love it! This is all the bike one or two need as recreational riders which we are for now. BEWARE--------if planning to buy a tandem---------please rent one first and see how compatible you two are ......a tandem may not be every couples cup of tea.
We decided to keep the seats, even though most upgrade them that buy a Companion. oh yeah those comfort platform pedals went first, replaced by cage pedals with toe straps for the stoker. We may even upgrade the comfort grips in the future. Sounds like i could have gotten a more expensive bike for the money I have in upgrades on this bike-------we love it! This is all the bike one or two need as recreational riders which we are for now. BEWARE--------if planning to buy a tandem---------please rent one first and see how compatible you two are ......a tandem may not be every couples cup of tea.
Retro Grouch
How many and what kind of tandems have you owned + comments.
What would you like to own and why?
Our first tandem is a story unto itself. At the time, we had a lot of kids and not much money. My only recreation was bicycling with our neighbor, but my wife's first group ride almost ended in disaster. A friend was moving out-of-town and asked if I wanted their old tandem bicycle. It was a Schwinn Twinn coaster brake bike that had been left out in the rain. The frame was OK but everything else was badly rusted. The FIRST person I talked to about picking up a pair of wheels said "I have just what you need." His father had taken a Schwinn Twinn 5-speed and replaced all of the components with lighter weight parts. He sold me everything for $30.00. That sounds pretty cheap, but at the time, $30.00 was a lot of money for me to spend. I swallowed hard, bought the stuff and I managed to cobble together a bike that didn't fit either of us but which my wife and I could at least ride together. We rode it a lot. There were people who openly skoffed, but we were on the road and we were having fun together.
We rode that bike together for about 7 or 8 years. Eventually we came up with a car that we didn't need and were able to sell it for enough to buy our first Santana. We paid $1400.00 for an '84 Santana Elan and thought that was all of the money in the whole world. Our kids and both sets parents thought we had gone crazy.
Eventually we did go crazy and started our own (ill fated) bike shop. At that time in our life, our family was splintering with everyone going their own way. The bike shop pulled us all together again as a family. I'm very glad that we did it. The bikes got a little better during that period and we bought first a Santana Arriva and, when I found a customer who needed our Arriva more than we did, traded up to the Noventa that we have today.
I eventually sold the Schwinn to a family who had a blind daughter for $200.00. They were grateful for the deal. I think back fondly to that bike every once in a while. To me it is pretty clear evidence that God does exist and does make things possible that change our lives.
What would you like to own and why?
Our first tandem is a story unto itself. At the time, we had a lot of kids and not much money. My only recreation was bicycling with our neighbor, but my wife's first group ride almost ended in disaster. A friend was moving out-of-town and asked if I wanted their old tandem bicycle. It was a Schwinn Twinn coaster brake bike that had been left out in the rain. The frame was OK but everything else was badly rusted. The FIRST person I talked to about picking up a pair of wheels said "I have just what you need." His father had taken a Schwinn Twinn 5-speed and replaced all of the components with lighter weight parts. He sold me everything for $30.00. That sounds pretty cheap, but at the time, $30.00 was a lot of money for me to spend. I swallowed hard, bought the stuff and I managed to cobble together a bike that didn't fit either of us but which my wife and I could at least ride together. We rode it a lot. There were people who openly skoffed, but we were on the road and we were having fun together.
We rode that bike together for about 7 or 8 years. Eventually we came up with a car that we didn't need and were able to sell it for enough to buy our first Santana. We paid $1400.00 for an '84 Santana Elan and thought that was all of the money in the whole world. Our kids and both sets parents thought we had gone crazy.
Eventually we did go crazy and started our own (ill fated) bike shop. At that time in our life, our family was splintering with everyone going their own way. The bike shop pulled us all together again as a family. I'm very glad that we did it. The bikes got a little better during that period and we bought first a Santana Arriva and, when I found a customer who needed our Arriva more than we did, traded up to the Noventa that we have today.
I eventually sold the Schwinn to a family who had a blind daughter for $200.00. They were grateful for the deal. I think back fondly to that bike every once in a while. To me it is pretty clear evidence that God does exist and does make things possible that change our lives.
TandemGeek
What we've owned:
1. '96 Santana Arriva: Steel frame and immediately upgraded bar-cons/brakes to Sachs P5000 Ergo shifting, rims from Araya to Mavic T217, brakes to XT canti's with bigger pads, and tires from Armadillos to Vredestein Fortezza. Total sunk cost around $3,750. Great first tandem with very good customer support from Santana, and strong re-sale value. Weight with pedals, etc. was about 39.5lbs. Weaknesses: A bit pricey in '97 even discounted as NOS, but the gap has diminished over time and pricing is now more in line with similar products offered by other brands. Ultimately decided we wanted custom sizing and more aggressive performance and after 4,000 miles of use replaced it with a custom tandem in Dec. 98. Sold via the www.tandemmag.com/ TCA Classifieds to a couple in El Paso, TX, in '98 for around $2,950.
2. '98 Cannondale MT3000: 6061 Alu off-road tandem frame with Moto FR-T dual crown fork, SRAM GripShift, Coda (Hugi) hubs/Sun Rims & XT V-brakes (not the OEM Magura HS-33). Immediately upgraded FD to different pull geometry and Sugino chain rings to RaceFace but was otherwise pleased as punch with bike that was purchased second hand via the Internet for $1,850. Weight with pedals, etc... was about 45lbs with 2.1" XC tires. Only weakness was Coda (Hugi) rear hub which shredded with only a few hundred miles of use and replaced with Shimano hub/Sun rim. Hardtail with shock post was very hard on Debbie's back given lots of aggressive riding on rugged singletrack in North Georgia and ultimately replaced after ~250 off-road miles by a NOS Ventana El Conquistador de Montanas (ECdM) in Feb '00. Sold via www.tandemmag.com/TCA Classifieds to couple in southern New Hampshire in '00 for about what I paid for it.
3. '98/'99 Erickson Signature: A one-off steel custom from Glenn Erickson in Seattle, WA. Ordered in June '98 and received 23 Dec '98. Features very short front end with 31" long stoker top tube and very aggressive geometry tailored to our size and riding style. Component package is True Temper Alpha Q XT carbon fork, Campy Chorus Ergo 9 shifters, Campy brakes & deraillers, daVinci cranks, and Phil Wood/Mavic or White Ind/Velocity wheelsets with Shimano 9 spd cassettes. About $6,400 in '98 and no regrets. Great tandem that continues to meet and exceed our expectations. Not superlight these days at 35.5lbs considering it's a very small frame, but good enough with some 18k miles of use thus far and going strong.
4. NOS '97 Ventana El Conquistador de Montanas (ECdM): 6061 alu full suspension frame with 3.5" of rear travel. Found on the internet as a frame only around Christmas '99 for $1,000. Was NOS frame lost by UPS who paid off the shipper and was eventually sold to someone in South Dakota at a UPS auction after UPS discovered it bouncing around in a truck somewhere. Refinished and upgraded with a '00 rear swingarm and built up with a Stratos FR-5T fork, Shimano XT components, Hope O4DH hydraulic brakes, daVinci cranks, Hope hub/Velocity Aeroheat AT wheelset: total investment ~$3,500 after all said and done. Weight with pedals, etc... was about 46lbs with 2.1" XC tires. Great full-suspension tandem!! After about 500mi of use, decided it would be more cost effective to sell and replace entire tandem vs upgrading wheels, brakes, fork and other components and red really was never my color. Sold via Ebay to couple in Sacramento, CA, in '02 for $2,900 and replaced by '02 Ventana ECdM.
5. '02 Erickson Custom Travel Tandem: A one-off steel custom from Glenn Erickson in Seattle, WA equipped with S&S couplers to allow break-down for travel. Ordered in Oct '00 and received in Apr '02 (not a typo; there's a story & we weren't in a hurry). Pretty much identical to our '98 Erickson Signature except for the paint scheme, couplers, TIG weld vs fillet-brazed joints, and some minor adjustments in geometry for the carbon fork height. About $6,800 in '02 (not including cases) and no regrets. Great tandem that continues to meet and exceed our expectations. Not superlight at 37.5lbs with couplers added, but good enough with some 5k miles of use thus far and going strong.
6. '02 Ventana El Conquistador de Montanas (ECdM): 6061 alu full suspension frame with custom geometry and 4" of rear-travel. Replacement rig for '00 model. Adjusted replacement cost today is ~$6,000 outfitted with Stratos S-5T fork, Hope Enduro discs, Chris King/Velocity wheelset, Easton CT-2 carbon bars, Shimano transmission & RaceFace cranks (swapped with daVinci cranks on '00 ECdM prior to its sale). Weight with pedals, etc... is about 45lbs with 2.4" DH tires. Although it hasn't seen a lot of use, it's a great tandem. Couple of nits with the frame required a new rear-swingarm under warranty which yielded a problem with the rear pivot, the Fox RL shock was from a defective lot with bad seals that needed attention, and we also discovered that we had a problem with a rocker arm frame mount that needed to be fixed with a heli-coil. However, that's about it.
As Rudy notes, I've also fiddled with a lot of other tandem brands and models before and after actually becoming a bonified owner.
What would we like to own?
We've got them hanging in the garage right now! Seriously, we're pretty sure we have the ones that we want/need for the long haul to meet out immediate needs. About the only tandem that I'd add to the stable if I had the $$ laying around would be a Co-Motion custom convertible Quint, i.e., a Quint built with S&S couplers at each segment that would allow reconfiguration as a tandem, triplet, quad, or quint so that we could take our friends, parents, kids, and grandkids out for a ride now and again as well as for special events.
In a perfect world?
Beyond the reality of meeting needs, in a perfect post-lottery winning world I'd probably end up with a very full stable of frames -- some that would just go on display as wall art and others that would be purpose built. Of the current models that are on the market that I'd like to have access to for extended test rides (30 days should do), the list would include:
Road Tandems
- Calfee Tetra Tetra (carbon)
- Seven 007 Axiom Ti (titanium)
- Santana Beyond (carbon/ti)
- Co-Motion Robusta (Alum)
- ariZona (carbon)
- Bohemian (steel)
- Bruni (steel)
Off-Road Tandems:
- Boulder (aluminum)
- Chumba Wumba (aluminum)
- Nicolai (aluminum)
- Santana Dual Moto (carbon/ti)
1. '96 Santana Arriva: Steel frame and immediately upgraded bar-cons/brakes to Sachs P5000 Ergo shifting, rims from Araya to Mavic T217, brakes to XT canti's with bigger pads, and tires from Armadillos to Vredestein Fortezza. Total sunk cost around $3,750. Great first tandem with very good customer support from Santana, and strong re-sale value. Weight with pedals, etc. was about 39.5lbs. Weaknesses: A bit pricey in '97 even discounted as NOS, but the gap has diminished over time and pricing is now more in line with similar products offered by other brands. Ultimately decided we wanted custom sizing and more aggressive performance and after 4,000 miles of use replaced it with a custom tandem in Dec. 98. Sold via the www.tandemmag.com/ TCA Classifieds to a couple in El Paso, TX, in '98 for around $2,950.
2. '98 Cannondale MT3000: 6061 Alu off-road tandem frame with Moto FR-T dual crown fork, SRAM GripShift, Coda (Hugi) hubs/Sun Rims & XT V-brakes (not the OEM Magura HS-33). Immediately upgraded FD to different pull geometry and Sugino chain rings to RaceFace but was otherwise pleased as punch with bike that was purchased second hand via the Internet for $1,850. Weight with pedals, etc... was about 45lbs with 2.1" XC tires. Only weakness was Coda (Hugi) rear hub which shredded with only a few hundred miles of use and replaced with Shimano hub/Sun rim. Hardtail with shock post was very hard on Debbie's back given lots of aggressive riding on rugged singletrack in North Georgia and ultimately replaced after ~250 off-road miles by a NOS Ventana El Conquistador de Montanas (ECdM) in Feb '00. Sold via www.tandemmag.com/TCA Classifieds to couple in southern New Hampshire in '00 for about what I paid for it.
3. '98/'99 Erickson Signature: A one-off steel custom from Glenn Erickson in Seattle, WA. Ordered in June '98 and received 23 Dec '98. Features very short front end with 31" long stoker top tube and very aggressive geometry tailored to our size and riding style. Component package is True Temper Alpha Q XT carbon fork, Campy Chorus Ergo 9 shifters, Campy brakes & deraillers, daVinci cranks, and Phil Wood/Mavic or White Ind/Velocity wheelsets with Shimano 9 spd cassettes. About $6,400 in '98 and no regrets. Great tandem that continues to meet and exceed our expectations. Not superlight these days at 35.5lbs considering it's a very small frame, but good enough with some 18k miles of use thus far and going strong.
4. NOS '97 Ventana El Conquistador de Montanas (ECdM): 6061 alu full suspension frame with 3.5" of rear travel. Found on the internet as a frame only around Christmas '99 for $1,000. Was NOS frame lost by UPS who paid off the shipper and was eventually sold to someone in South Dakota at a UPS auction after UPS discovered it bouncing around in a truck somewhere. Refinished and upgraded with a '00 rear swingarm and built up with a Stratos FR-5T fork, Shimano XT components, Hope O4DH hydraulic brakes, daVinci cranks, Hope hub/Velocity Aeroheat AT wheelset: total investment ~$3,500 after all said and done. Weight with pedals, etc... was about 46lbs with 2.1" XC tires. Great full-suspension tandem!! After about 500mi of use, decided it would be more cost effective to sell and replace entire tandem vs upgrading wheels, brakes, fork and other components and red really was never my color. Sold via Ebay to couple in Sacramento, CA, in '02 for $2,900 and replaced by '02 Ventana ECdM.
5. '02 Erickson Custom Travel Tandem: A one-off steel custom from Glenn Erickson in Seattle, WA equipped with S&S couplers to allow break-down for travel. Ordered in Oct '00 and received in Apr '02 (not a typo; there's a story & we weren't in a hurry). Pretty much identical to our '98 Erickson Signature except for the paint scheme, couplers, TIG weld vs fillet-brazed joints, and some minor adjustments in geometry for the carbon fork height. About $6,800 in '02 (not including cases) and no regrets. Great tandem that continues to meet and exceed our expectations. Not superlight at 37.5lbs with couplers added, but good enough with some 5k miles of use thus far and going strong.
6. '02 Ventana El Conquistador de Montanas (ECdM): 6061 alu full suspension frame with custom geometry and 4" of rear-travel. Replacement rig for '00 model. Adjusted replacement cost today is ~$6,000 outfitted with Stratos S-5T fork, Hope Enduro discs, Chris King/Velocity wheelset, Easton CT-2 carbon bars, Shimano transmission & RaceFace cranks (swapped with daVinci cranks on '00 ECdM prior to its sale). Weight with pedals, etc... is about 45lbs with 2.4" DH tires. Although it hasn't seen a lot of use, it's a great tandem. Couple of nits with the frame required a new rear-swingarm under warranty which yielded a problem with the rear pivot, the Fox RL shock was from a defective lot with bad seals that needed attention, and we also discovered that we had a problem with a rocker arm frame mount that needed to be fixed with a heli-coil. However, that's about it.
As Rudy notes, I've also fiddled with a lot of other tandem brands and models before and after actually becoming a bonified owner.
What would we like to own?
We've got them hanging in the garage right now! Seriously, we're pretty sure we have the ones that we want/need for the long haul to meet out immediate needs. About the only tandem that I'd add to the stable if I had the $$ laying around would be a Co-Motion custom convertible Quint, i.e., a Quint built with S&S couplers at each segment that would allow reconfiguration as a tandem, triplet, quad, or quint so that we could take our friends, parents, kids, and grandkids out for a ride now and again as well as for special events.
In a perfect world?
Beyond the reality of meeting needs, in a perfect post-lottery winning world I'd probably end up with a very full stable of frames -- some that would just go on display as wall art and others that would be purpose built. Of the current models that are on the market that I'd like to have access to for extended test rides (30 days should do), the list would include:
Road Tandems
- Calfee Tetra Tetra (carbon)
- Seven 007 Axiom Ti (titanium)
- Santana Beyond (carbon/ti)
- Co-Motion Robusta (Alum)
- ariZona (carbon)
- Bohemian (steel)
- Bruni (steel)
Off-Road Tandems:
- Boulder (aluminum)
- Chumba Wumba (aluminum)
- Nicolai (aluminum)
- Santana Dual Moto (carbon/ti)
spacerconrad
Santana Arriva. Jim at Richardson Bike Mart sold it to us for about $900, in excellent condition, and warned us that we'd be back for something slicker later.
Maybe there's a little retro-grouch hidden in our souls, but the purple Arriva has embarassed quite a few racer wannabe's and is extremely smooth on any surface we've cared to cycle.
I'm often accused of being overly competitive on a bike, but I must remind my Rear Admiral of the times we'd hear comments like "Hey, free ride!" and I've felt the sheer power of her pride in my pedals. Poor guy never stood a chance.
Part of the family now, not much we can do about it now :)
Maybe there's a little retro-grouch hidden in our souls, but the purple Arriva has embarassed quite a few racer wannabe's and is extremely smooth on any surface we've cared to cycle.
I'm often accused of being overly competitive on a bike, but I must remind my Rear Admiral of the times we'd hear comments like "Hey, free ride!" and I've felt the sheer power of her pride in my pedals. Poor guy never stood a chance.
Part of the family now, not much we can do about it now :)
joe@vwvortex
First tandem was a custom Riedel Road Tandem built by Ian Riedel who was a builder for Ibis - in fact it was built with Ibis Moron Tubing and dropouts. It as really nice in terms of frame construction and paint etc. It was built with Campy Record 8 speed shifters on Campy Record triple derailleurs with Specialized forged cranks, Avid V brakes, Aria Drum and custom wheels with Hugi hubs.
Current ride is a CoMotion Speester/Supremo hybrid - basically a Supremo with Vbrakes. Purchased both the steel front fork and Woundup Carbon. Has full brazeons for racks and fenders and I've got two different rear clusters -11-27 and 11-34 so I can set it up for major climbs or just the typical club rides etc. We're really enjoying it!
Current ride is a CoMotion Speester/Supremo hybrid - basically a Supremo with Vbrakes. Purchased both the steel front fork and Woundup Carbon. Has full brazeons for racks and fenders and I've got two different rear clusters -11-27 and 11-34 so I can set it up for major climbs or just the typical club rides etc. We're really enjoying it!
bassplayinbiker
I have owned 2 and had total rights to another one.
1. burley hardrock
2 home built ( failed attempt, but good experience for me)
3. homebuilt revised eddition. ( works awesomely best ride i have felt)
pic below
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/Tinnitus/01-2005Tandem.jpg
1. burley hardrock
2 home built ( failed attempt, but good experience for me)
3. homebuilt revised eddition. ( works awesomely best ride i have felt)
pic below
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/Tinnitus/01-2005Tandem.jpg
TandemGeek
I have owned 2 and had total rights to another one.
Sanity Check: Are you the same 'bassplayinbiker' who started the Tuba thread?
If so, you've reinstilled my faith in the future... Good-on-you to have a wide variety of interests and the necessary support to pursue them with such gusto.
Sanity Check: Are you the same 'bassplayinbiker' who started the Tuba thread?
If so, you've reinstilled my faith in the future... Good-on-you to have a wide variety of interests and the necessary support to pursue them with such gusto.
bassplayinbiker
yes im the same ******* who wants to learn how to do everything.
I built that bike up there, The only help i had was havin my hill billy friend weld it for me.
there is hope.
I built that bike up there, The only help i had was havin my hill billy friend weld it for me.
there is hope.
cornucopia72
1994?-present Burley Duet. Bought it used. Nice bike but heavy and with outdated components. Do not plan to sell it. We keep it wraped in plastic and ready for some visitors that feel like taking a ride.
2004-present Santana Sovering. We love it. It was worth every penny. Do not plan on upgrading.... unless the stock market takes a positive turn or we win the lottery. The way things are going and since we do not buy lottery thickets... chances are it is going to be our ride for a long time.
2004-present Santana Sovering. We love it. It was worth every penny. Do not plan on upgrading.... unless the stock market takes a positive turn or we win the lottery. The way things are going and since we do not buy lottery thickets... chances are it is going to be our ride for a long time.
2intexas
I briefly shared an old Paramount track tandem that had been converted to road use back in the late 70s-early 80s. Road it in informal club events, including the first GASP (Great Austin-Shiner Pedal). We motored on that stiff, close-coupled SOB like nobody's business. Didn't ride another tandem for twenty years until I bought my Santana Arriva -- a demo -- from the Santana factory via eBay last spring. What a civilized machine, after that instrument of torture that had originally been brazed together, I understand, for the Mexico City Olympics (the Schwinn)!!!
Brian
What we have: 2003 Cannondale MT800. It was the only tandem we could afford that would fit my wife and me.
What I really would like to have: Something titanium. I've not seen one of their tandems, but I am very impressed with Seven's half bikes.
I guess I became infatuated with titanium when I was stooging on the Dowker-Soltow titanium roadster sprint car. It was so good it was made illegal.
Doc
We have only one, and I don't forsee another any time soon. Custom titanium frame with S&S couplers, SRAM X9 drivetrain, Rhynolites, Avid BBDB's, (soon to be switched to Magura Hydraulics) Shimano XT 203mm discs, Specialized Body Geometry seats, ATC Racing fork (looking for a Marzocchi DJ) and lots of custom bits and bolts in Ti. Also has extra cable guides in place, should we decide to turn it into a road bike. No complaints.
http://www.ozbikesports.com/images/tandem2.jpg
What I really would like to have: Something titanium. I've not seen one of their tandems, but I am very impressed with Seven's half bikes.
I guess I became infatuated with titanium when I was stooging on the Dowker-Soltow titanium roadster sprint car. It was so good it was made illegal.
Doc
We have only one, and I don't forsee another any time soon. Custom titanium frame with S&S couplers, SRAM X9 drivetrain, Rhynolites, Avid BBDB's, (soon to be switched to Magura Hydraulics) Shimano XT 203mm discs, Specialized Body Geometry seats, ATC Racing fork (looking for a Marzocchi DJ) and lots of custom bits and bolts in Ti. Also has extra cable guides in place, should we decide to turn it into a road bike. No complaints.
http://www.ozbikesports.com/images/tandem2.jpg
TandemGeek
We have only one, and I don't forsee another any time soon. Custom titanium frame with S&S couplers... No complaints.
I've been meaning to ask you this, is this one of the Aerolite tandems or did someone down under fabricate it? I only ask as I don't recall you mentioning the builder's names in any of your posts, but seem to recall that you mentioned Aerolite.
We have some friends in Texas who have an Aerolite who are pretty happy with it -- and it was a complex custom design job.
I've been meaning to ask you this, is this one of the Aerolite tandems or did someone down under fabricate it? I only ask as I don't recall you mentioning the builder's names in any of your posts, but seem to recall that you mentioned Aerolite.
We have some friends in Texas who have an Aerolite who are pretty happy with it -- and it was a complex custom design job.
Brian
I've been meaning to ask you this, is this one of the Aerolite tandems or did someone down under fabricate it? I only ask as I don't recall you mentioning the builder's names in any of your posts, but seem to recall that you mentioned Aerolite.
We have some friends in Texas who have an Aerolite who are pretty happy with it -- and it was a complex custom design job.
Technically it's an Aerolite, but because I went direct through their manufacturer and ordered it custom, I really can't call it an Aerolite. Apparently someone got in trouble for building it too. I have nothing against the company, but it seemed silly to pay the markup if the manufacturer was willing to sell direct.
We have some friends in Texas who have an Aerolite who are pretty happy with it -- and it was a complex custom design job.
Technically it's an Aerolite, but because I went direct through their manufacturer and ordered it custom, I really can't call it an Aerolite. Apparently someone got in trouble for building it too. I have nothing against the company, but it seemed silly to pay the markup if the manufacturer was willing to sell direct.
TandemGeek
Technically it's an Aerolite, but because I went direct through their manufacturer and ordered it custom, I really can't call it an Aerolite. Apparently someone got in trouble for building it too. I have nothing against the company, but it seemed silly to pay the markup if the manufacturer was willing to sell direct.
Cool. I like that story. Moreover, I think you could safely call it an 'XCD' since Xi'an Changda (http://www.xacd.com.cn/index1.htm) builds frames for a few marketing companies and does direct marketing on its own. Using the couplers was probably the Aerolite connection that got someone at XCD crossed up with David (aka, Aerolite -- as I think David is the entire company). However, all that notwithstanding, from what I saw of the CAD drawings that David rendered, I'm not sure he adds all that much value to the design process. He strikes me as more or less a marketing guy who knows how do use a CAD program and not a bicycle designer. Probably like you, our friends in Texas really did the design work, then David rendered it into a CAD drawing and shipped it off to XCD who "interpreted" the CAD drawings and executed the frame build.
Do you know if XCD built your tandem with genuine S&S couplers or their own, less expensive S&S-like couplers? From what I've learned, it seems like the XCD couplers didn't show up as an option until just last January. The emergence of the XCD couplers got Aerolite crossways with S&S and caused them to lose their listing as an authorized builder on the S&S web site. I'm not sure if Aerolite is still able to offer coupled bikes and tandems or not or if XCD is still marketing bikes made with its own couplers.
Well, regardless, it looks like a pretty cool rig. Ti is a great material for a travel bike and I suspect the couplers really do a nice job of stiffening up the entire frame vs. a ti frame that was uncoupled. I'm really tempted to replace our aluminum Ventana F/S ECdM with an S&S equipped chromoly Ventana F/S ECdM. Travel tandems are the nuts when it comes to portability. Not to mention, I think it would be pretty slick to have an extra boom tube made that could be swapped out in the event you bashed the one of the tandem. Our boom tube has some really nice flat spots and gouges in it from crossing over trees and steep drop-out and there's not really much I can do about them. On the bright side, the lower part of the boom tube isn't really put under any loads where a dent in the underside weakens the frame. But, just the same, it would be pretty slick to have the ability to be a bit more aggressive with obstacles knowing that you could swap out boom tubes and send the dinged-up one off to a frame shop to be straightend out or replaced.
Cool. I like that story. Moreover, I think you could safely call it an 'XCD' since Xi'an Changda (http://www.xacd.com.cn/index1.htm) builds frames for a few marketing companies and does direct marketing on its own. Using the couplers was probably the Aerolite connection that got someone at XCD crossed up with David (aka, Aerolite -- as I think David is the entire company). However, all that notwithstanding, from what I saw of the CAD drawings that David rendered, I'm not sure he adds all that much value to the design process. He strikes me as more or less a marketing guy who knows how do use a CAD program and not a bicycle designer. Probably like you, our friends in Texas really did the design work, then David rendered it into a CAD drawing and shipped it off to XCD who "interpreted" the CAD drawings and executed the frame build.
Do you know if XCD built your tandem with genuine S&S couplers or their own, less expensive S&S-like couplers? From what I've learned, it seems like the XCD couplers didn't show up as an option until just last January. The emergence of the XCD couplers got Aerolite crossways with S&S and caused them to lose their listing as an authorized builder on the S&S web site. I'm not sure if Aerolite is still able to offer coupled bikes and tandems or not or if XCD is still marketing bikes made with its own couplers.
Well, regardless, it looks like a pretty cool rig. Ti is a great material for a travel bike and I suspect the couplers really do a nice job of stiffening up the entire frame vs. a ti frame that was uncoupled. I'm really tempted to replace our aluminum Ventana F/S ECdM with an S&S equipped chromoly Ventana F/S ECdM. Travel tandems are the nuts when it comes to portability. Not to mention, I think it would be pretty slick to have an extra boom tube made that could be swapped out in the event you bashed the one of the tandem. Our boom tube has some really nice flat spots and gouges in it from crossing over trees and steep drop-out and there's not really much I can do about them. On the bright side, the lower part of the boom tube isn't really put under any loads where a dent in the underside weakens the frame. But, just the same, it would be pretty slick to have the ability to be a bit more aggressive with obstacles knowing that you could swap out boom tubes and send the dinged-up one off to a frame shop to be straightend out or replaced.
Brian
David doesn't like me, that's for sure. I don't know if they're genuine S&S couplers, and don't have any way of finding out, but for what they added to the cost, they ought to be. But it's only money... As far as the drawings, I don't think he even does them. XCD sent me the preliminary drawing, and I just made the changes to suit our needs, and that was that. Took a few back and forth emails, but we got what we wanted. I would have liked another set of cable guides on the top tube, and some custom rack mounts on the back, but so far it's been a pleasure to own. It will need some work for touring, but that can wait. And yes, the ride is perfect. Very smooth. I also like the fact that in the worst case, I can have sections replaced rather than the whole frame.
TandemGeek
David doesn't like me, that's for sure. I don't know if they're genuine S&S couplers, and don't have any way of finding out, but for what they added to the cost, they ought to be. But it's only money... As far as the drawings, I don't think he even does them. XCD sent me the preliminary drawing, and I just made the changes to suit our needs, and that was that. Took a few back and forth emails, but we got what we wanted. I would have liked another set of cable guides on the top tube, and some custom rack mounts on the back, but so far it's been a pleasure to own. It will need some work for touring, but that can wait. And yes, the ride is perfect. Very smooth. I also like the fact that in the worst case, I can have sections replaced rather than the whole frame.
In retrospect, the drawings did seem to come from XCD; David was just trying to stick his 2 cents in on the design and it was apparent to our friends that he didn't really understand frame design. However, back to the couplers, they seemed to be pretty upfront with customers on genuine vs in-house models and the upgrade to the S&S BTCs was something like $200 - $300. What seemed interesting is that they only produced one size of the in-house coupler (32mm) for use on 1.25" diameter tubing, which -- at least for our friends -- was a barrier to their 26" enduro 4-coupler design which used an open frame (no internal) and oversized 2" boom tube with a 1.5" or 1.75" top and down tube. He didn't quite connect the dots at first when they said they didn't have access to the larger tubing and then hit upon the coupler size constraint. On suggesting that XCD contact S&S to obtain the right size coupler they then allowed that they could produce the frame with the 2" boom tube, but not the larger top or down tube. They had their couplers installed in front of the captain's seat tube and amid-ships similar to how Co-Motion configures their travel tandems such that they can pull off the front end of the tandem without disconnecting the timing chain. There were a few nits with the frame's construction -- minor mis-alignment, weld burn-through on one of the couplers -- but all in all they're very happy with the bike thus far. Super-light, durable finish, and incredibly inexpensive. But, like you, disappointed with David's business accumen and demeanor.
In retrospect, the drawings did seem to come from XCD; David was just trying to stick his 2 cents in on the design and it was apparent to our friends that he didn't really understand frame design. However, back to the couplers, they seemed to be pretty upfront with customers on genuine vs in-house models and the upgrade to the S&S BTCs was something like $200 - $300. What seemed interesting is that they only produced one size of the in-house coupler (32mm) for use on 1.25" diameter tubing, which -- at least for our friends -- was a barrier to their 26" enduro 4-coupler design which used an open frame (no internal) and oversized 2" boom tube with a 1.5" or 1.75" top and down tube. He didn't quite connect the dots at first when they said they didn't have access to the larger tubing and then hit upon the coupler size constraint. On suggesting that XCD contact S&S to obtain the right size coupler they then allowed that they could produce the frame with the 2" boom tube, but not the larger top or down tube. They had their couplers installed in front of the captain's seat tube and amid-ships similar to how Co-Motion configures their travel tandems such that they can pull off the front end of the tandem without disconnecting the timing chain. There were a few nits with the frame's construction -- minor mis-alignment, weld burn-through on one of the couplers -- but all in all they're very happy with the bike thus far. Super-light, durable finish, and incredibly inexpensive. But, like you, disappointed with David's business accumen and demeanor.
Brian
In retrospect, the drawings did seem to come from XCD; David was just trying to stick his 2 cents in on the design and it was apparent to our friends that he didn't really understand frame design. However, back to the couplers, they seemed to be pretty upfront with customers on genuine vs in-house models and the upgrade to the S&S BTCs was something like $200 - $300. What seemed interesting is that they only produced one size of the in-house coupler (32mm) for use on 1.25" diameter tubing, which -- at least for our friends -- was a barrier to their 26" enduro 4-coupler design which used an open frame (no internal) and oversized 2" boom tube with a 1.5" or 1.75" top and down tube. He didn't quite connect the dots at first when they said they didn't have access to the larger tubing and then hit upon the coupler size constraint. On suggesting that XCD contact S&S to obtain the right size coupler they then allowed that they could produce the frame with the 2" boom tube, but not the larger top or down tube. They had their couplers installed in front of the captain's seat tube and amid-ships similar to how Co-Motion configures their travel tandems such that they can pull off the front end of the tandem without disconnecting the timing chain. There were a few nits with the frame's construction -- minor mis-alignment, weld burn-through on one of the couplers -- but all in all they're very happy with the bike thus far. Super-light, durable finish, and incredibly inexpensive. But, like you, disappointed with David's business accumen and demeanor.
You've changed your name! I think we paid an extra $600 for 6 couplers, but I'm not sure. And there's 2 different size couplers, with the larger ones on the boom tube. It came with a matching titanium double sided spanner for the couplers. We had none of the problems you mentioned either, but the 203mm discs we ordered from them were absolute rubbish. And the custom handlebars (nice rise with 26inch width) were not pricey, but no bargain. Have you seen the frame right out of the box when it's all polished? What a piece of art! My wife let me keep it in our lounge until the parts from Alex arrived. As far as David, he wouldn't want to know that not only did he lose the sale, but that I'm offering his products for sale in Australia.
You've changed your name! I think we paid an extra $600 for 6 couplers, but I'm not sure. And there's 2 different size couplers, with the larger ones on the boom tube. It came with a matching titanium double sided spanner for the couplers. We had none of the problems you mentioned either, but the 203mm discs we ordered from them were absolute rubbish. And the custom handlebars (nice rise with 26inch width) were not pricey, but no bargain. Have you seen the frame right out of the box when it's all polished? What a piece of art! My wife let me keep it in our lounge until the parts from Alex arrived. As far as David, he wouldn't want to know that not only did he lose the sale, but that I'm offering his products for sale in Australia.
TandemGeek
I think we paid an extra $600 for 6 couplers, but I'm not sure. And there's 2 different size couplers, with the larger ones on the boom tube. It came with a matching titanium double sided spanner for the couplers.
Being different sizes and at the price quoted, they sound like the real McCoy.
Being different sizes and at the price quoted, they sound like the real McCoy.
Brian
Being different sizes and at the price quoted, they sound like the real McCoy.
Yeah, they really took care of me, and based on the finish, I'd say they're genuine. If not, nothing I can do. As far as future tandems go, we considered a Ventana, until I took a good look at the daVinci independent pedalling system. That, coupled titanium frame, carbon cranks, Ti wippermans, Rohloff rear, King front hub and headset, Hope 6 pot Ti brakes, and maybe a Maverick fork? My wife calls this our "lottery bike". We don't even need another one, but I like to tinker, and that should keep me busy for a weekend or two.
Yeah, they really took care of me, and based on the finish, I'd say they're genuine. If not, nothing I can do. As far as future tandems go, we considered a Ventana, until I took a good look at the daVinci independent pedalling system. That, coupled titanium frame, carbon cranks, Ti wippermans, Rohloff rear, King front hub and headset, Hope 6 pot Ti brakes, and maybe a Maverick fork? My wife calls this our "lottery bike". We don't even need another one, but I like to tinker, and that should keep me busy for a weekend or two.
TandemGeek
Yeah, they really took care of me, and based on the finish, I'd say they're genuine. If not, nothing I can do. As far as future tandems go, we considered a Ventana, until I took a good look at the daVinci independent pedalling system. That, coupled titanium frame, carbon cranks, Ti wippermans, Rohloff rear, King front hub and headset, Hope 6 pot Ti brakes, and maybe a Maverick fork? My wife calls this our "lottery bike". We don't even need another one, but I like to tinker, and that should keep me busy for a weekend or two.
Just a couple thoughts...
- daVinci Independent Coasting System (ICS): We may get a chance to play with one if Alex gets his demo from Todd. Looking forward to either seeing how it works by following Alex around or, if the bike's small enough, giving it a go.
- Carbon Cranks: Superlight, but super-easy to nick-up with a tandem off-roading.
- Ti Wipperman: Chez cool, but chez $$$ for something you throw away after a few hundred miles.
- Hope Ti6: Great binders, but haven't heard any long-term reports yet.
- Maverick Fork: Hmmm. Maybe. What's your team weight? One of our regular riding partner teams has the Maverick and at 270lb team weight, they've got them maxed out on air pressure.
Just a couple thoughts...
- daVinci Independent Coasting System (ICS): We may get a chance to play with one if Alex gets his demo from Todd. Looking forward to either seeing how it works by following Alex around or, if the bike's small enough, giving it a go.
- Carbon Cranks: Superlight, but super-easy to nick-up with a tandem off-roading.
- Ti Wipperman: Chez cool, but chez $$$ for something you throw away after a few hundred miles.
- Hope Ti6: Great binders, but haven't heard any long-term reports yet.
- Maverick Fork: Hmmm. Maybe. What's your team weight? One of our regular riding partner teams has the Maverick and at 270lb team weight, they've got them maxed out on air pressure.
hi565
This Thread is Worthless Without Pics
Brian
Just a couple thoughts...
- daVinci Independent Coasting System (ICS): We may get a chance to play with one if Alex gets his demo from Todd. Looking forward to either seeing how it works by following Alex around or, if the bike's small enough, giving it a go.
- Carbon Cranks: Superlight, but super-easy to nick-up with a tandem off-roading.
- Ti Wipperman: Chez cool, but chez $$$ for something you throw away after a few hundred miles.
- Hope Ti6: Great binders, but haven't heard any long-term reports yet.
- Maverick Fork: Hmmm. Maybe. What's your team weight? One of our regular riding partner teams has the Maverick and at 270lb team weight, they've got them maxed out on air pressure.
Don't go spoiling my fun now. If I had the money to build the bike, I could get away with disposable parts. We can't actually use the Maverick anyway, as it's too large for a coupled bike. We'd need a single crown, like the new Fox, or maybe just a Marzocchi DJ. As it sits, our current fork will make the bike too big to pack for travel, so we're looking at the Marzocchi anyway. Of course, as long as I'm dreaming, I could just have one bike for travel, and one bike for tearing it up close to home...
- daVinci Independent Coasting System (ICS): We may get a chance to play with one if Alex gets his demo from Todd. Looking forward to either seeing how it works by following Alex around or, if the bike's small enough, giving it a go.
- Carbon Cranks: Superlight, but super-easy to nick-up with a tandem off-roading.
- Ti Wipperman: Chez cool, but chez $$$ for something you throw away after a few hundred miles.
- Hope Ti6: Great binders, but haven't heard any long-term reports yet.
- Maverick Fork: Hmmm. Maybe. What's your team weight? One of our regular riding partner teams has the Maverick and at 270lb team weight, they've got them maxed out on air pressure.
Don't go spoiling my fun now. If I had the money to build the bike, I could get away with disposable parts. We can't actually use the Maverick anyway, as it's too large for a coupled bike. We'd need a single crown, like the new Fox, or maybe just a Marzocchi DJ. As it sits, our current fork will make the bike too big to pack for travel, so we're looking at the Marzocchi anyway. Of course, as long as I'm dreaming, I could just have one bike for travel, and one bike for tearing it up close to home...
Brian
This Thread is Worthless Without Pics
Then post some. Want me to post a photo of our tandem again?
Then post some. Want me to post a photo of our tandem again?
hi565
Then post some. Want me to post a photo of our tandem again?
sorry my b
I didnt see the others :o
sorry my b
I didnt see the others :o
Brian
sorry my b
I didnt see the others :o
No worries.
I didnt see the others :o
No worries.
TandemGeek
This Thread is Worthless Without Pics
OK....
OK....
TandemGeek
Our S&S Travel Tandem
TandemGeek
And our Off-Road Two-Fer
Brian
I like the Ventana. I slipped some thin grips onto my bar ends. Looks fugly, feels much better.
TandemGeek
I like the Ventana. I slipped some thin grips onto my bar ends. Looks fugly, feels much better.
I need to update the photos of the Ventana, it's now got that fine off-road "patina" that gives a bike personality. I use the bar-ends to help "bounce the tandem back into play" when I misjudge my line and clip a tree with either my bar-ends or Debbie's. As you would expect, they're pretty buggered-up. Any grips would have been shredded long ago.
Fugly's good though....
I need to update the photos of the Ventana, it's now got that fine off-road "patina" that gives a bike personality. I use the bar-ends to help "bounce the tandem back into play" when I misjudge my line and clip a tree with either my bar-ends or Debbie's. As you would expect, they're pretty buggered-up. Any grips would have been shredded long ago.
Fugly's good though....
Brian
I don't think our tandem will ever get a proper bath. I just washed my the little Princess' FS. I don't know how she can get it so dirty riding on the same tracks as me. I think my wife actually swerves INTO mud when we ride singles. She's a keeper.
cornucopia72
We like the Ventana also... lots of room for the stoker. We noticed you do not have drum or disk breakes in any of your tandems. I guess you do not have many steep descents in Georgia.
TandemGeek
We like the Ventana also... lots of room for the stoker. We noticed you do not have drum or disk breakes in any of your tandems. I guess you do not have many steep descents in Georgia.
The Ventana has dual discs and I run Motul 600 brake fluid which affords plenty of heat tolerance. The road tandems use Campy Chorus caliper rim brakes; dual pivot in front & single pivot in rear. Both tandems have the braze-ons for 185mm auxiliary disc brakes built around a mid-90's Hope mechanical disc caliper. These were installed in anticipation of future tours in the Alps and Pyrenees. However, I've never felt compelled to install it on either bike for what we encounter here in the states. Actually, now that I think about it, I think I cannibalized the brake for the '98 Erickson and gave some of the parts away to some friends before they headed off to Europe back in '02. Regardless, the travel tandem still has all the bits necessary to rig up the rear disc for use as either a primary or auxiliary brake, depending on how I run the brake cables.
As for where we ride in Georgia, we actually have many short and steep climbs close-in Atlanta and then the more traditional, longer steep descents in the North Georgia Mountains. We also ride (or have ridden) in the Taledega National Forest in Alabama, near Asheville & Brevard, NC, the Smokey and Blue Ridge mountains from Tennessee up and to Virginia, a few interesting places near Reading, PA, and we've done the California Coast from San Francisco to San Diego. We haven't tackled Brasstown Bald, Mt. Mitchell, or Mt. Washington on our tandems which, from all accounts, would defintely push the limits of our rim brakes and high-heat tolerant deep section rims. In fact the closest we've come to regretting not having installed the disc was when some friends led us exploring off-tour north of Solvang which found us at the top of the Tepesquite Canyon ridgeline. Had the road not been torn-up and filled with potholes from recent floods, the temps weren't 115 degrees, and the South face of the road hadn't been cooking in the sun all day, it woudn't have been so demanding but, even still, a short rim cooling stop was all that was required.
I suspect that our ability to eschew the auxiliary rear drag brake has at lot to do with riding unloaded, being a somewhat lightweight team, and being somewhat predisposed to enjoying the thrill of a brisk descent.... all with the approval of my beloved stoker. The aforementioned 30mm deep-section rims also help in that they seem to manage heat better than box section or semi-aero rims in that they have gobs of wind swept surface area: for this reason alone I gladly accept the extra 45 grams/rim of rolling weight.
Knock on wood, we've never had our rim brakes fail and have not had any tire blow-offs, even though we normally run 700x23c foldable tires at 145psi or, when doing supported tours, 700x25c foldable tires at 130psi. However, if we ever to decide to take on one of the epic mountain peaks with their plunging descents and switchbacks, we will definitely take the '02 travel bike and fit the auxiliary disc brake rather than tempting fate or resigning ourselves to multiple stops for rim cooling on the descent.
The Ventana has dual discs and I run Motul 600 brake fluid which affords plenty of heat tolerance. The road tandems use Campy Chorus caliper rim brakes; dual pivot in front & single pivot in rear. Both tandems have the braze-ons for 185mm auxiliary disc brakes built around a mid-90's Hope mechanical disc caliper. These were installed in anticipation of future tours in the Alps and Pyrenees. However, I've never felt compelled to install it on either bike for what we encounter here in the states. Actually, now that I think about it, I think I cannibalized the brake for the '98 Erickson and gave some of the parts away to some friends before they headed off to Europe back in '02. Regardless, the travel tandem still has all the bits necessary to rig up the rear disc for use as either a primary or auxiliary brake, depending on how I run the brake cables.
As for where we ride in Georgia, we actually have many short and steep climbs close-in Atlanta and then the more traditional, longer steep descents in the North Georgia Mountains. We also ride (or have ridden) in the Taledega National Forest in Alabama, near Asheville & Brevard, NC, the Smokey and Blue Ridge mountains from Tennessee up and to Virginia, a few interesting places near Reading, PA, and we've done the California Coast from San Francisco to San Diego. We haven't tackled Brasstown Bald, Mt. Mitchell, or Mt. Washington on our tandems which, from all accounts, would defintely push the limits of our rim brakes and high-heat tolerant deep section rims. In fact the closest we've come to regretting not having installed the disc was when some friends led us exploring off-tour north of Solvang which found us at the top of the Tepesquite Canyon ridgeline. Had the road not been torn-up and filled with potholes from recent floods, the temps weren't 115 degrees, and the South face of the road hadn't been cooking in the sun all day, it woudn't have been so demanding but, even still, a short rim cooling stop was all that was required.
I suspect that our ability to eschew the auxiliary rear drag brake has at lot to do with riding unloaded, being a somewhat lightweight team, and being somewhat predisposed to enjoying the thrill of a brisk descent.... all with the approval of my beloved stoker. The aforementioned 30mm deep-section rims also help in that they seem to manage heat better than box section or semi-aero rims in that they have gobs of wind swept surface area: for this reason alone I gladly accept the extra 45 grams/rim of rolling weight.
Knock on wood, we've never had our rim brakes fail and have not had any tire blow-offs, even though we normally run 700x23c foldable tires at 145psi or, when doing supported tours, 700x25c foldable tires at 130psi. However, if we ever to decide to take on one of the epic mountain peaks with their plunging descents and switchbacks, we will definitely take the '02 travel bike and fit the auxiliary disc brake rather than tempting fate or resigning ourselves to multiple stops for rim cooling on the descent.
zonatandem
Mark:
daVinci has built one offroad tandem with a skidplate under boob tube. Might be a quickie solution to cover up boobtube dings!
Rudy/Zonatandem
daVinci has built one offroad tandem with a skidplate under boob tube. Might be a quickie solution to cover up boobtube dings!
Rudy/Zonatandem
TandemGeek
daVinci has built one offroad tandem with a skidplate under boob tube. Might be a quickie solution to cover up boobtube dings!
He and I talked about different concepts for a keel plate back in '02 when we were exploring what it would take for our team to switch over from our Ventana ECdM's to a daVinci F/S Symbiosis: cost remains the barrier for us. Regardless, we discussed a 1/3 boom tube doubler, a raised doubler, and a piece of angle running down the keel line. What did he finally go with?
He and I talked about different concepts for a keel plate back in '02 when we were exploring what it would take for our team to switch over from our Ventana ECdM's to a daVinci F/S Symbiosis: cost remains the barrier for us. Regardless, we discussed a 1/3 boom tube doubler, a raised doubler, and a piece of angle running down the keel line. What did he finally go with?
2intexas
What would I like to have? Why?
When I was a pre-pubescent pup, I used to stare at still and moving images of Natalie Wood and wish she was my mom so I could look at her all the time. Closest thing to that feeling today is when I stare at pictures of the Santana Beyond on the web...Sad, really.
When I was a pre-pubescent pup, I used to stare at still and moving images of Natalie Wood and wish she was my mom so I could look at her all the time. Closest thing to that feeling today is when I stare at pictures of the Santana Beyond on the web...Sad, really.
OnYoLeft
Our first tandem was a 70s Schwinn Twinn Deluxe Sport with many modifications and just couldn't get my wife comfortable on it. It was a great experience for two years and we worked out our differences. It cost $250 plus probably another $800 in upgrades. I still didn't have indexable shifting, more gears, only four bottle cages (I drink a lot) and had to true the rims after every ride.
Ultimately, we went all out and bought a used 2000 Double Vision VR-85. We chose recumbent because we figured that all of our pains would go away. They did. Paula still won't commit to a week-long ride, except multi-day tandem rallies, but she has no problem with 55+ miles. Our Road Runner has independent pedaling, 11-34 XT rear, 52-38-24 Ultegra front, Magura hydraulic brakes, Arai drum, 2 Vision seat bags, Jandd mountain panniers, Jandd expandable trunk bag, enough xenon flashers to be seen from 3 miles away, 25w of headlighting and a Bykaboose trailer for our camping items. Between the seat bags and cages, we hold 6 h20 bottles. We're starting our third year on the Road Runner and love every minute on it.
Ultimately, we went all out and bought a used 2000 Double Vision VR-85. We chose recumbent because we figured that all of our pains would go away. They did. Paula still won't commit to a week-long ride, except multi-day tandem rallies, but she has no problem with 55+ miles. Our Road Runner has independent pedaling, 11-34 XT rear, 52-38-24 Ultegra front, Magura hydraulic brakes, Arai drum, 2 Vision seat bags, Jandd mountain panniers, Jandd expandable trunk bag, enough xenon flashers to be seen from 3 miles away, 25w of headlighting and a Bykaboose trailer for our camping items. Between the seat bags and cages, we hold 6 h20 bottles. We're starting our third year on the Road Runner and love every minute on it.
stapfam
I ride offroad, so the Tandem had to be as strong as the solo when we went aggressive. Dale MT2000 with Hope bigun hubs-36straight gauge spokes--Mavic downhill rims, Hope Mono M4 brakes and boxer forks. This works, and if the solo can do it, the the "T" can can do it faster, more aggressively, and with style. Only thing we haven't mastered are bunny hops, but we're getting there
zonatandem
Mark:
The da Vinci one-of apparently had a skid plate attached to the bottom side of the boob tube to take the hits of off-roading. Did not see it personally but Todd told me about it.
Rudy/Zonatandem
The da Vinci one-of apparently had a skid plate attached to the bottom side of the boob tube to take the hits of off-roading. Did not see it personally but Todd told me about it.
Rudy/Zonatandem
OldShacker
First was a tank MTB tandem and now for the last few years a Cannondale tandem.
We like the Cannondale and do not plan to try anyting more. Or I should say that is what I think, not quite sure about my wife wishes
We like the Cannondale and do not plan to try anyting more. Or I should say that is what I think, not quite sure about my wife wishes
hubs
We have a 2004 Raleigh Companion that I ride with my daughter (now 7). The pedals, grips & seats were swapped out immediately. We also had to lose the suspension seatpost in back to get her low enough to pedal. I think it can go back on this coming summer. The bike is a truck! I love riding it alone when I'm dropping off or picking up. It is a smooth Cadillac sort of ride. We enjoy it on both road and smoothish trails. All the rides so far have stayed under 20 miles and we've had great luck with the original Kenda tires.
tornadobass
My wife and I did a 70+ mile day on our 2004 Companion this summer at RAGBRAI...I don't think that Raliegh really intended the bike for that kind of use though...Hubs is probably better matched with his young daughter.
Oh, and we did have to replace the tires...the rear kenda started coming apart at the bead. We're now using 1.5" Specialized tires for a quieter ride and less rolling resistance.
Oh, and we did have to replace the tires...the rear kenda started coming apart at the bead. We're now using 1.5" Specialized tires for a quieter ride and less rolling resistance.
Mhendricks
My wife and I did a 70+ mile day on our 2004 Companion this summer at RAGBRAI...I don't think that Raliegh really intended the bike for that kind of use though...Hubs is probably better matched with his young daughter.
Oh, and we did have to replace the tires...the rear kenda started coming apart at the bead. We're now using 1.5" Specialized tires for a quieter ride and less rolling resistance.
My wife and I just did a 50 mile over the weekend on our 2004 Raleigh Coupe. This is the replacement bike that we got when we discovered a crack at the weld on our 2002. We too changed tires to a 1.5" Avocet FasGrip City for less roling resistance and a quiet ride. We may take it to Tahoe this weekend!
Oh, and we did have to replace the tires...the rear kenda started coming apart at the bead. We're now using 1.5" Specialized tires for a quieter ride and less rolling resistance.
My wife and I just did a 50 mile over the weekend on our 2004 Raleigh Coupe. This is the replacement bike that we got when we discovered a crack at the weld on our 2002. We too changed tires to a 1.5" Avocet FasGrip City for less roling resistance and a quiet ride. We may take it to Tahoe this weekend!
twonbike
We started with a Raliegh Companion. We knew nothing about tandems at all. I was working beside a road cycle tourist use alot. . I saw the male partner of a touring couple go by,a few miutes latter the female partner went by. I thought what's the point. They are only together at stops abd acn't talk etc. Then a while latter a couple cruised by on a tandem, sitting up looking at the scenery and chatting away. I rand my daughter who lived in Rotorua, abd told her to go and buy the Raleigh which was reduced as part of a clearence sale. We got her for $1200 NZ about $700 US. We ahve had some great rides. We used her alot for CC touring. The only hassle we had was with the back wheel breaking spokes. We had it rebuilt by the LBS and have had no trouble since. She is now used to introduce other couples to tandeming and helping to teach adults to ride a bike.
We reaaranged our lives so we can have 2 or 3 months off every year touring on a bike. We decided the Raliegh wasn't up to taking a full on camping load so bit the bullet and brought The Lady (called this because of her impecable manners). A Thorn Adventure.
How do I post a photo?
Hope this isn't too long and boring
Cheers Brian & Sue
We reaaranged our lives so we can have 2 or 3 months off every year touring on a bike. We decided the Raliegh wasn't up to taking a full on camping load so bit the bullet and brought The Lady (called this because of her impecable manners). A Thorn Adventure.
How do I post a photo?
Hope this isn't too long and boring
Cheers Brian & Sue
twonbike
Hopefully here is a Photo of The Lady.
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Common bike forum topics in clue bicycles, cycling, mountain biking,
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Common bike forum topics in clue bicycles, cycling, mountain biking,
cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, shoes and bike equiptment selection.