Originally Posted by woodcycl
So, it sounds, "in a nutshell" ... that if my disc brakes are working and I am comfortable with their effectiveness, that the inline travel agent isn't "necessary". But, some folks may prefer them for a shorter travel/throw on the brake levers for the brakes to grab and stop the bike. If so, I am fine with the current setup as it is.
Yup, that's pretty much it... in a nutshell. And, it's also important to take into consideration that new disc brake pads and rotors all need to be bedded-in before they will achieve their true stopping power. Therefore, initial impressions during test rides of a new tandem or even during the first several days, weeks, or months of ownership can be mis-representative of how the brakes WILL work once they are broken-in. The amount of time it takes is dependent on how often and how hard the brakes are used. For a new Cannondale tandem sold in Florida, it could be along time vs. one sold and ridden around Asheville, NC.