I installed my Inline Gear Indicator!

[chris ss]

I am considering one for the chain ring. Sometimes I just get a brain fart and cannot remember!!

haha YES I know THAT feeling. So I have one on the front derailleur cable in addition to the rear for just exactly that reason.

And if that wasn't reason enuf, it was only a few dollars and a few minutes to put it in, so I fell back onto the "why work when there's a reasonable alternative" reasoning which has served me so well, so often, lo these many years ...
so yeah do it you wouldn't be the first and prolly not the last either.
It's just too easy - a quick glance down at the lil indicators and all is completely clear - no strain on the brain.

[TandemGeek]

All my Co Motions were delivered to the LBS in the box unasembled by request to Co Motion by phone when I ordered them. They were then delivered to the LBS left in the box un-touched.

Just a data point: I'm pretty sure Co-Motion ships all of their tandems unassembled: the frame-only with all of the other components and wheels in separate boxes.

So, yes... you really do want to know the skill level of your dealer, as they play a critical role in how well your tandem will be built and function... and for how long before it needs adjustments. I'm sometimes amazed to see how cables are routed, where in-line adjusters are installed, etc. when I look at new Co-Motions and other tandems that are built-up by different dealers & builders. Santana eliminates some of that variability by shipping their tandems out nearly fully-assembled in massive boxes, but a good mechanic who knows their way around a tandem is still a key asset in the delivery process.

[hockey]

Not to be negative, but I removed my inline indicator from the Tandem last year. I was having shifting problems, so I replaced the cables and removed the excess adjustors and the inline indicator. The indicator was working inconsistently anyway.....after 3 years. Anyway, whatever I did, shifting problems were corrected. I must admit I don't really miss it...... at this stage of life the KISS strategy seems to work.
Hockey

[Bill G]

Just a data point: I'm pretty sure Co-Motion ships all of their tandems unassembled: the frame-only with all of the other components and wheels in separate boxes.

So, yes... you really do want to know the skill level of your dealer, as they play a critical role in how well your tandem will be built and function... and for how long before it needs adjustments. I'm sometimes amazed to see how cables are routed, where in-line adjusters are installed, etc. when I look at new Co-Motions and other tandems that are built-up by different dealers & builders. Santana eliminates some of that variability by shipping their tandems out nearly fully-assembled in massive boxes, but a good mechanic who knows their way around a tandem is still a key asset in the delivery process.

That is true but I made sure it was shipped that way and made sure the dealer did not touch my Tandem period. I build my Tandems a specific way to my taste and my standards. I feel my skills are superior to most local LBS mechanics and have found this to be consitantly true throughout the years when it comes to Tandems specificaly and bikes in general. Some dealers require that they put the bike together, I will not purchase a Tandem from these dealers I also make sure Dwan at Co Motion understands this when placing the order I do all the foot work with Co Motion and only use the dealer as a middle man..

Ride Safe,
Bill G

[TandemGeek]

... but I removed my inline indicator from the Tandem last year. I was having shifting problems, so I replaced the cables and removed the excess adjustors and the inline indicator. The indicator was working inconsistently anyway.....after 3 years.

Same here on the in-line gear position indicators. The one I had that apparently developed a kink after the housing cracked when I inadvertly over-rotated the handlebars mid-ride in the mountains. I was pretty toasted and after a short photo-op with friends at the top of a climb I didn't quite clear the handlebars when I swung my leg around the front of the tandem to mount-up. As we got to the flatter sections after the 3mi descent and I went to shift, the shifting was all-over the place, it was at that point that I discovered the damaged in-line indicator. That said, I did nearly the same thing once before when we didn't have an in-line gear position indicator and unknowingly unseated the derailleur cable housing from the downtube cable stop which had a similar result, but that was easily fixed on the fly once I realized what had happened.

As far as the in-line cable adjusters, I've found that you need to pull those apart and clean the internal surfaces about every 2,500 - 3,000 miles to keep them working smoothly. It's amazing how much road grime collects inside those little suckers and how it works its way into the threads. It can also be a challenge to use them when you have the derailleur's in the highest tension position, e.g., upper 1/2 of the rear cassette or big chainring for most low-normal derailleurs.

[TandemGeek]

That is true but I made sure it was shipped that way and made sure the dealer did not touch my Tandem period. I build my Tandems a specific way to my taste and my standards.

Yeah, I get that. The point was to make sure other readers understand that if they buy a Co-Motion it comes to their dealer unassembled; know your dealer and make sure they're competent when it comes to building-up and adjusting tandems, i.e., check with other buyers to find out what their lessons learned were with a given dealer.

Good speciality tandem dealers add-value to the buying process for most consumers; shops that sell tandems... not so much. So, to your point, it always serves tandem owners well to become competent at doing most of their own work.

[Bill G]

Yeah, I get that. The point was to make sure other readers understand that if they buy a Co-Motion it comes to their dealer unassembled; know your dealer and make sure they're competent when it comes to building-up and adjusting tandems, i.e., check with other buyers to find out what their lessons learned were with a given dealer.

Good speciality tandem dealers add-value to the buying process for most consumers; shops that sell tandems... not so much. So, to your point, it always serves tandem owners well to become competent at doing most of their own work.

Yes & so true, Great point..

Thanks & Ride Safe
Bill G,