chojn1

We're heading back to Breck next month and will make use of the great road route between Breck and Vail. My kid, however, much prefers mountain biking over road biking. As a compromise I thought I would just slap on some big tires on the tandem and find some easy mountain bike trail or single tracks in the area to ride with him.

Any one with experience riding a road tandem on the single tracks?
Besides the wheels any easy modification I can make on the tandem to make it more trail friendly? Also, any recommendation on tandem friendly trails?

Thanks,
CJ

colotandem

My first question is what is the max tire size that will fit on your tandem clearing the fork, chainstays and seat stays? Also, work with your brakes - you did not mention if you have disc, caliper or canti brakes.

The singletrack that I know around Breck would not be advised on a road tandem unless you can squeeze some tires that are at least 2.0. I like the way that you think and frankly, riding our road tandem off road is what got us into mountain bike tandems (and now we have 3).

I suppose that there is some smooth singletrack that can be ridden on a road tandem, but as you get rockier terrain, the skinny tires don't mesh well. At a minimum, you'd want a cyclocross tire, but that would still be a rough ride.

Tell us more about your bike and the what you are thinking about for "big tires".

Maybe you might be able to find a proper mountain bike tandem to rent, that is where it's at!!!

chojn1

Hi Colotandem,

The bike is set up with dual 180mm disks.

Both the seatstay and chainstay will clear 2.25 inch tires. The fork is an ENVE XC and will also clear that tire, but it is not a suspension fork.

I have two sets of wheels: a 700c road and a 650B XC. Can I get away with using the 650B with 38mm slick for both road and mtb trails? Or do I really need to bring both sets with larger knobbies on the 650B?

We had problems with finding the right fit on previous rentals and would rather stick with modifying the current bike. I used to ride MTB a lot, but my wife is not a biker (road or mountain). My kid should not have any problem on his single mountain bike. I am considering Breck to Como and back - is that too ambitious? Do you have any recommendation for better trails?

Thanks,
CJ

mje

Breck to Como over Boreas Pass is a dirt road former railroad grade. It's not technical at all. I've seen people ride it on single road bikes with skinny tires, although that's not a particularly good choice.

chojn1

It is good to have people in the know chime in. I was under the impression that there will be at least some single tracks in that direction. I will do some technical trails with my kid in Breck but not with my wife on the tandem. Any suggestion of a better choice?

CJ

colotandem

I think the Breck to Como is a good option. Most of the trails that we ride up there, I would not take a rigid drop bar tandem on.

There's a lot of good single track around there. One of my favorites is the Peaks trail and the Colorado trail. But again, I am thinking it might not be a good idea for you. That said, I frequently have people tell me that they would not take a tandem on the trails that we ride... So it's just one of those things that you may have to check out for yourself.

If you are going to stick to the dirt roads, I'd say you can leave the mtb tires at home. If you intend to try something more adventurous that would entail some rocky single track, then I'd bring the bigger tires, you'll want that!

chojn1

colotandem,

I don't particularly like sharing dirt roads with cars, but I am hoping there may be a few trails I can take to Como without using that road. Peaks trail looks interesting. We may do that ride to Frisco then take the paved path back.
Do they mind if we traverse the ski runs from peak 9 to get to that trail head?

Also, I am currently running 30-48 front chainrings and an 11-29 cassette. Since my rear wheel has a campag hub, I don't have a better option on the cassette. But, I do have some spare 28-46 or 26-44 chainrings sets. What gearing are you using on your mountain tandem?
Also, what suspension fork do you recommend?

Thanks for the help,
CJ

corrado33

I know a few people who did an mountain bike race on an old schwinn tandem. It's certainly possible. Even more so with disk brakes. Switchbacks become hard, but it's possible.