Burley Paso Doble

[Tandem Newbie]

My wife and I are about to buy our first tandem and have chosen the Paso Doble as our means of conveyance. We ordered the race package but probably never will race. We just liked the look and feel of the bike with the Rolf wheels, carbon cranks and the carbon fork. Touring is not really our plan, unless we have SAG to carry the gear. I plan on carrying tools and tubes in a camelbak since that is what I'm used to on my mountain bike. Plus I don't like trying to wrestle water bottles out of the cages at 18-20 mph. My question is are we going to look funny on race bike in the middle of a big group ride like the Bike Ride Across Georgia? MY thought is who cares, I'm on a bike with the one I love, but has anyone else had a similar experience?

[SDS]

I have an unusual-looking tandem, but nobody ever looks at us funny. On the other hand, they LOOK at us a lot.

Tandems are almost always worth looking at. Because of their cost and their intended use, they tend to say something about the owner's intention more than other kinds of bikes. There is a lot of pride in ownership, so everything tends to be clean and just so.

The impression I get is that people look at us and wish they could trade places, or they are impressed by the teamwork. We're not seamless, but we are pretty good...

And then, you know, there is the big tow. On some pay rides we have pulled packs of 80, and we wished we could sort to the back and get a break, but we never could get anybody to come around.....

[TandemGeek]

My question is are we going to look funny on race bike in the middle of a big group ride like the Bike Ride Across Georgia?

Yes and no. The tandem with go-fast wheels and carbon bits will fit right in with all the other personal race bikes ridden by like-minded cyclists who attend these events.

As for the Camelbak, we know of a few go-fast couples who wear the minimalist Aerobak style packs so that's no big deal. However, before getting to dead-set on wearing a stuffed Hog or one of the other large capacity mountain bike hydration packs make sure your stoker doesn't mind having your pack sitting in front of their nose.

Remember, you are on the bike with the one you love and it's close-quarters back there even under ideal conditions. Having a large capacity Camelbak hanging off your back will encroach on her already limited space. I've even limited myself to a Razorbak hydration pack for use on our off-road tandem for this very reason. Tubes and tools go in the seatpack under her stoker stem which is hopefully where they'll remain for most of our rides. Back on the road, grabbing water bottles at any speed isn't a big deal and, as an added bonus, there's a stupid tandem trick that allows you to use water bottles without ever having to reach down and grab one: just have your stoker pass you a bottle when you need a swig and then pass it back.

Bottom Line: Tandems will make you re-evaluate what you know and love about cycling.

Just something to consider.

[zonatandem]

Welcome to tandeming Newbie!
And . . . congrats on picking the Paso Doble with all the geegaws! Get what you want and enjoy the ride, never mind what the others are thinking as you pass 'em by!
Another system that works for 'hands on the bars drinking' without a hydration system on your back that can intrude on your stoker's space is as follows:
Mount a Minoura handlebar water bottle holder adaptor on pilot's HB; remove pullup plunger from water bottle and insert a plastic tube that stick about 6 inches above the water bottle. Any local hardware can supply you with the right diameter plastic tubing needed, just take in the bottle top for a true fit.
Fill bottle, tip down head a bit and sip away!

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/Zona tandem