After waiting a couple weeks and resending my inquiry to K-Edge, still no response. Fortunately, the FD with their adapter clamp is working fine at the inward limit and without hacking a modification. Just be aware, the K adapter clamp moves the FD .5cm further outward from the seat tube than a FD with a built-in clamp.
On the latest Calfee feedback, stoker is really happy and riding without any tandem induced knee pain! With the more standard rear 145mm spacing and a single-like Q-Factor, this is the first time since 2003 (and the 160mm spacing/Q-width headache) she has not had any problems. Wow, we took a big chance building up a new ride and it seems to have paid off in dividends. We are finally back on a tandem and riding pain free! Very happy.
Hydration configuration and how to save 1lb of dead weight:
In the photos above you can see that we switched from larger & heavier Polar 26oz capacity bottle to the mid-size 22oz Camelback (verfied by measuring cup test). Yes we lose 4oz fluid per bottle, but the bottle itself weighs quite a bit less too.
The Polar bottles were much taller and a constant source of dripping water and sport drink on the frame. The more compact Camelback bottles have a top that locks & a squirt mechanism takes a bit to get used to while riding, but otherwise seems superior. The smaller Camelback bottle size also solved access issues for the stoker that she has had on both the tandem and her compact single.
Overall, weight savings from just the empty 4 bottles we switched out is equal to the savings typically found by installing a Gates Carbon Belt setup, and quite a bit more weight saved when factoring in the water load as shown below...
Polar:
26oz capacity
146gm empty
total full weight each: 852gm
4x 852gm = 3408gm (3.4kg!) = 7.51lbs for full Polar bottles. Yikes!!
Camelback:
22oz capacity
100gm empty
total full weight each: 722gm
4x 722gm = 2888gm (2.9kg) = 6.37lbs <<< still, that weight is near equal to the 2007 Calfee frame!
Camelback weight savings (4 bottles):
empty: 184gm (.4lbs)
full: 520gm (1.15lbs)
Fun factoids:
- The 4oz less per bottle in the Camelbacks has not been noticable to us from a hydration point.
- The time it takes my stoker to use up 2 full 22oz bottles is about the max time she can handle between potty breaks.
As always, the biggest weight diff is usually body composition. Reviewing photos above will reveal the captain had a lot more than 1lb savings in the 2nd photo taken some 3 months later.