Low Speed Handling
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Low Speed Handling
I am new to tandeming and have a question regarding low speed handling. I expect that due to the wheelbase that the tandem will feel slower responding to steering input then a single would, but I am having a sensation of the wheel trying to flop on low speed manuveuring. I have never ridden a tandem before this one but couldn't resist the $150.00 price tag. It is an old Columbia Twosome that was modified by the person I bought it from. I have a feeling that during the buildup by the previous owner there was too much trail allowed in the front wheel geometry. I have seen trail figures run from about 1.9 to 2.6 inches and the trail on this bike appears to be around 3.2 which would seem high and probably explain the low speed steering sensation. I was hoping to get more experienced tandem riders inputs on this. The bike can be seen here.
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Sounds like you've figured it out. All else being equal, the more trail you have the less stable the bike is going to feel at slow speeds. How does it handle when you go more quickly?
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Originally Posted by K&M
How does it handle when you go more quickly?
Thanks for the reply
Bill
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Originally Posted by K&M
Sounds like you've figured it out.
If the numbers are right, your tandem would be a handful at slow speeds or with a stoker who tends to shift their weight even at moderate speeds.
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Originally Posted by TandemGeek
If the numbers are right, your tandem would be a handful at slow speeds or with a stoker who tends to shift their weight even at moderate speeds.
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Originally Posted by bidaci
So the sensation I described is normal and good?
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I know nothing about your particular bike. And, photos can be deceiving, but it looks like the bike has a slack head angle, maybe 72 degrees or less. If that is the case and the person before you replaced the fork with a fork with less rake, than the trail would increase. You could take the fork to a shop and have it cold-set to add some rake which would reduce the trail.