Originally Posted by
southpawboston
Her bike is geared down to <30 gear inches in low gear, and the tandem's lowest gear is <25 gear inches (42/32 gearing with 20" wheels). I suppose we could go even lower with smaller front chainrings, but will shaving off another 5 or so gear inches help much?
At my weight I find it very hard to get up some big hills without my 21" low gear. I'm trying to lower it to 19" on my next bike. I suspect a tandem with two kids is in a similar situation.