Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
I saw that Mt. Baker thing. Have you descended it on your tandem? On my single, it's a fast coast, braking hard for the corners. Just tandem rim brakes would make me nervous, but I don't want to lug the 2 lb. drum brake up it, either.
Have also done it a few times on a single and not on a tandem.
The grade isn't all that steep, so I'm not expecting any issue with rim brakes though I could toss on the disc setup just for kicks - it nets to something around 200gms more.
It depends on the road being smooth, clean and dry
There is a drag trick that scrubs some speed on lesser grade decents... situp tall and if it isn't too cold unzip your jacket almost all the way and let it billow. I call it the parachute effect. Though you will need to reach a terminal velocity for it to work.