NewbieIATandem

Just picked up our second tandem (a used Univega). The guy I bought it from had a little strappy thing that goes over the handlebars and around the seatpost to keep the front fork straight while putting it up on the rack for transport.

Have taken it to a couple of LBS and they were no help... "Don't have any, never seen it before..."

Does anyone know what they are called? Where one might find them online? (In other words, I can't even search for them online (tried a couple of search terms on this forum also) unless I know what they are called.)

Thank you.

TandemGeek

They're not straps, but these things serve the same purpose:

- Topeak Dual-Touch Handlebar Stabilizer

- Park Tool HBH-2 Handlebar Holder


There is also the "Performance Sweat Guard" sold as an accessory for stationary trainers that comes close to your description.

You could easily cobble together a simple two strap stablizer with the various bits and pieces sold at REI or any other outfitter.

oldacura

We got a strap like that with the Tandem Topper we bought from ATOC. You could easily make one youself from 3/4" webbing and some nylon buckles. It basically attaches to the captain's brake hoods & loops around the captain's seatpost. It just keeps the handlbars straight when loading/unloading the bike onto the rack. Makes loading much easier.

R900

Yakima includes one with the tandem carrier, call and ask I'm sure it's available seperately.

DBC Steve

+1 on that comment. Without the strap, loading can be a real pain. I've forgotten to install the straps a couple of times and wondered why the bike was so squirrley getting it up on the rack. Easy to make, but need flat webbing. ATOC has a picture on their web site but does not list the strap separately. Need to look close to see the strap: https://www.atoc.com/

The strap is a Y, with the single leg going to the captain's seat post and the two arms going to the handlebars. You can loop the front straps around the brake hoods or simply insert them around the bar ends and up just under the brake handles. I do the latter to avoid compressing the brake cable housings.

There you go -- more than you ever needed to know (or ask).

NewbieIATandem

That looks like exactly what it is. The Sidewinder was part of our "new" tandem purchase. Looked on the Yakima site and it looks like it is Yakima part #8890055 RPL,STABILIZER STRAP. I'm going to look into if I can track some more of these down. (I could make something, but I just have to think what I would cobble together wouldn't work quite as well.)

Thank you.

JTGraphics

I had my LBS order an extra one for me from Yakama took a few weeks to get. It was the Yakima part #8890055 RPL,STABILIZER STRAP you have above.

NewbieIATandem

Thanks all. I have also contacted ATOC and their strap is similar.

KRhea

Just picked up one up from our local rack shop. Walked in ,ask for a handlebar strap, the guy reached into a drawer, grabbed one, I gave him $10 and walked out a happy tandem owner.

Ours disappeared a couple rides ago and loading the bike without it lead to chips in our new paint job from the bars swinging around out of control during loading/unloading.

A simple device that I can't live without.

Good luck and if you don't find one let me know, perhaps I can help.

KRhea
PortlandVelo.net

zonatandem

An old innertube or 2 bungee cords can also be utilized . . .

NewbieIATandem

Yikes! While mounting the Yakima Sidewinder I tried to take it down with the bar straps hooked, but forgot to release the pivoting section! The plastic hook popped off the seatpost allowing the handlebars to pivot again. Scared the beejeebers out of me. I am just hoping I didn't bend the fork. I guess at least I can say I will now remember to ALWAYS unscrew that bright red knob first.

stokessd

REI has some real nice bungee cord, flat nylon webbing and all the nylon fiddly bits to make exactly what you want. I'm planning on something similar but a mix of bungee cord, and nylon webbing that will hold the wheel straight, but also let it turn with enough force on it and not have the thing pop off.

Sheldon

NewbieIATandem

In this case I was GLAD it popped off! If it hadn't I might not have noticed I had forgotten to loosen the pivot on the rack before applying a bit more effort into the poor fork.

Yeah, I could probably go with something simple like an old inner tube, but come on. How can I submit my precious tandem to an old inner tube? It deserves a nice new nylon thingy.

Old Hammer Boy

Ultimate, the work stand people, sell a telescoping aluminum tube device with rubber clamps on each end just for this purpose. It's quick and easy and is available at REI and other sources for about $15.

I use a trailer hitch rack on the back of our vehicle and just use a velcro strap through the front wheel and around the down tube, but if the wheel is off, you need something like the above.

mrfish

I thought the standard to use an old toestrap round the front rim and the downtube? Seems simpler than the solutions mentioned.

masiman

Does not work when you have to remove the front wheel to mount the bike to the carrier.

mrfish

All clear!