Bash Guard on Stoker Timing Chainring?
 

Hi - I'm new to the tandem forum, having just bought a Trek T900. The primary riders on will be me and my young daughter. I'm concerned about her foot getting caught between the timing chain and chainring. It's already happened a couple of times at low speed riding around the block, but can imagine this could be grisly on a "real" ride. Is this a common problem and the risk go away once we both get used to riding the bike? I've thought about putting a mountain bike bash guard on the outside of the stoker chaining - any thoughts on whether this would help?

Thanks -

Hopefully the problem will go away when she gets more used to riding the bike. However, I still run chainring guards on several of our bikes to keep things clean and safe, and it sounds like it would be a good idea for you. You can find guards in a good range of sizes from SJS Cycles in the UK or there are some eBay dealers who sell a brand called "Driveline" - just search eBay with the term "Driveline chainguard". You may have to get some longer chainring bolts and possibly some spacers depending on how you mount it.

Her FOOT is getting caught? How is THAT happening?

The only scenario that I can visualize is that her foot is coming off of the pedal. You don't say how young your daughter is, but if she is small and is using adult-length crankarms then it is going to be very difficult for her to keep her feet on the pedals throughout the entire pedal stroke. If this the cause of the problem, I would suggest looking into crankarm shorteners (and possibly, toe clips.)

Yep - That's precisely the problem. Crankarm Shorteners are on they way right now.

Thanks for mentioning the driveline guards. I went ahead and bought one that comes with a type of spacer bolt that I've never seen before - looks like they'll make it easy to add on the guard ring without having to move the chainrings to the inner positiion.

I wasn't too impressed with the special spacers that came with the Driveline chainguard that I got, but you should give them a try before getting anything else.

Solution: keep her feet in place utilizing toeclips.

We have Driveline guards in all three positions on our T50; Diane does not like chain grease on socks or pants........

No chain grease ever on our leg or sox.
We never use greasy/oily lube on our chains.
We use the hot wax (Parawax) method. You can grab chain with bare hand and not get dirty.

Zona -

I've always thought about using the wax method, but never have. How often do you rewax? And - if you know - how well does this method work in wetter climes? Thanks.