malsr

Wondering what types of call-outs tandem teams use? Do most captains call out shifts or bumps in the road for example? Just curious what everyone else is doing.

oldacura

I'd say call out both at least until you get comfortable. Your stoker may tell you that they don't need the bump callout. Let her decide. Calling out shifts will (especially front) will make for smoother shifts with less stress on your drivetrain.

Tandem Newbie

I call out front chainring shifts, as well as bumps, tracks, etc. However, the most critical for me is when we come to a stop what side to unclip on. I usually say "out on the left" even if she stays clipped in. I don't want her leaning the opposite way of me unclipping, it ends badly.

colotandem

I've never thought of calling out which side to unclip. There should be no leaning. Neutral, or just be one with the bike. No sudden moves though...

The one that gets me is if my stoker makes a sudden movement to spit, sneeze etc... Calling out needs to go both ways.

mwandaw

Our calls:

Ready? (are you ready to start from a stop?)
Let's Go! (let's start from a stop)
Up (rear derailleur shift)
Down
Big Up (front derailleur shift)
Big Down
Bump
Car Up (I call that only on very narrow roads)
Car Back (She calls that only on very narrow roads)
Left turn traffic? (Me asking if traffic is approaching from behind)
Clear! (Her saying there's no traffic approaching from behind - OK to turn)
Wait! (Her saying there is traffic approaching from behind - don't turn)

It works for us, but your mileage may vary.

I never thought about how many calls we have!

Nachoman

I try to call out the big bumps. But that's about it.

twocicle

My stoker's usual callout is "pee break!"

geranimo57

Like MWANDAW SAID:

If we are in a group this is basically protocol.. when we are riding alone not much is said unless I cannot avoid a bump or some anomaly, in which case i am usually too late to make a difference to my stokers comfort anyway.

Ready? (are you ready to start from a stop?)
Let's Go! (let's start from a stop) I SAY PUSH whatever works

I don't call out shifts.. captains job to keep cadence and shifts are very subtle most times

Bump .. when I anticipate which is usually late

Car Up (I call that only on very narrow roads)
Car Back (She calls that only on very narrow roads)
Left turn traffic? (Me asking if traffic is approaching from behind)
Clear! (Her saying there's no traffic approaching from behind - OK to turn)
Wait! (Her saying there is traffic approaching from behind - don't turn)
People walking! very important on group
Car Door! very important on group

all of the above very important in group rides.. car up and back not so much on solo as captain and stoker should be on same page with surroundings, but the more i think about it i never complain when she says car back that i didn't notice.

And the most important as twocicle said PEE BREAK! or just about anything from the Stoker!!

marciero

I call out big bumps, or particularly bumpy gravel sections
I dont call out shifts, except when shifting into small ring while climbing.
I dont announce when standing or sitting

DCwom

We used call outs when we 1st started but not anymore, its amazing how much communication occurs via the sync chain. The one call out I use isn't vocal, I tap the top of my helmet, which means low branch, i.e. I'm going to duck my head.

IkeCan

My call outs to my Stoker are essentially the same as "mwandaw". Over communicating on a tandem is a good thing. Assuming your partner knows what you know or what you are about to do on a tandem will eventually end badly. You can't assume your Stoker sees or is prepared for a bump. Knowing about when you are stopping or starting is extremely important. I have heard of more tandem accidents and arguments occurring due to lack of communication than any other reason.

oldacura

We'll often take "butt breaks" & stand for a bit. I will often gear up a few cogs & then stand for a bit. When I sit back down, if my stoker wants to stand for a bit she'll say "standing" so that I don't downshift before she is done.

mkane77g

Mabey 2 these days. Stand and bump

jnbrown

We have been riding together for 35 years so shifting and standing are telepathic.
Except when I try standing and she is drinking / eating / changing clothes.
Since we got the body float seat post I only call out large bumps.
The one area I have not mastered is knowing if I am going to clip out of the pedals when approaching a red light.
We usually coast very slowly and hope its going to turn green, we can balance while hardly moving.
There have been a few cases I was yelled at because she didn't know what I was going to do so now unless its obvious I say if we are clipping out.
Other things I call out: rabbits, blue herons and snakes.

zonatandem

Back in the early 80s we did an article "Tandem Lexicon" that covers most of what's been said above.
After 42+ years of riding TWOgether, we still communicate but not as extensively.
Pedal on!
RUdy and Kay/zonatandem

ksisler

OP; Huh... my stoker almost never unclips for a stop. She just stays steady and ready to provide the push off power and to keep it rolling until the Captain gets his cleat snapped in.

/K

ksisler

Rudy; I remember your Lexi. It was excellent, but my copy got lost somewhere in a computer failure... any chance you could revive it in this forum. I bet there are many here who would benefit.

/K

DKMcK 

I call out ready, bumps, tracks, and turns (she signals the turns). Since we upgraded to di2 I call out the down shifts. With the cable shifters she could tell when I shifted and anticipate the change. With di2 she cannot tell.

She calls out car back and "aren't you going to catch them?" When we start falling off the pace.

She always stays clipped in on short stops.

rlp

We use radios so we communicate a lot including coarse decisions, pace, and about everything else but for actual calls I would say
Capt. (me) :
Large bumps
Front ring down shifts
Stand
Turns
I typically unclip on the left but call "wrong side" if I am going to unclip on the right (she stays clipped in)
"Rolling" or "Talley Ho" when we start off from a stop.

Stoker (wife):
Stand (butt break)
Traffic - cars
When we are riding in a group she lets me know if there is other bike traffic around me and if in a paceline she lets me know when I clear the front wheel to move into the recovery line.

When we have a line of singles on our wheel and the road turns up and they go by us she'll sit up and wave them by saying "Fly my monkeys, fly.."

twocicle

Same here.

I just need to call out BUMP for notable hits, or KICK IT if trying to make a traffic light/sprint, or STOP if for some quick/panic issue (traffic/pedestrian problem, flat tire, etc). At traffic lights, a GO or CHANGING lets her know we are proceeding or thereabouts. When balancing at lights or behind walkers, SIT STILL or HOVER helps ensure she doesn't upset the apple cart.

My stoker never needs to unclip unless dismounting.

john4789

Our equivalent call out is BEAN JUICE.

swiss_toni

love that