Originally Posted by
Ritterview
Thanks. Actually, the tip on the MTBR forum was quite helpful, I had not known there was a tandem forum at MTBR. We are thinking of dipping our toe in the mountain tandem waters by putting some knobby tires on our venerable 26" wheeled Burley Rock N' Roll (which is now in urban tandem mode).
Then we figured we'd try it out off road tandeming on the perfectly flat
Alviso Slough loop. If we like this, then some rolling hills, and if we like it some more, then get a real mountain tandem, with disc brakes, suspension, etc.
Sounds like a good plan.
My lovely bride/stoker frequently tells the story of how we began off-road tandem riding, it goes something like this. About 5 years ago we were on a 4 day loaded (credit card) tour on our DaVinci road tandem (panniers etc.). We chose a dirt road route to our destination on day two and ended up on some less than smooth dirt roads. After navigating through some isolated and breathtaking views, we arrived at our destination. She apparently approved of the off-pavement option and proceed to say that we should see if we can turn our tandem into a mountain tandem and ride the Leadville 100. Well long story short, we did not alter our DaVinci but did buy a full suspension Ventana.
Some might say we're compulsive, some that we are nuts and they might be right on both counts. But within 4 months of that mini-tour we had our new (full suspension) Ventana. And about 8 months later, we completed that Leadville 100 mtb race!
We're hooked on the offroad thing. You can go to some amazing places and my wife would never experience the singletrack that we ride on her own. And as AKExpress noted, you get LOTS of attention on the moutain tandem. It's a great time! Many of the lady mountain bikers tend to say, "You sure must trust him, I'd never get on the back of one of those with my husband"!!!