Originally Posted by
oldacura
We have an older Co-Pilot with rim brakes. We have about 13k miles on it. The brakes work great. I've never wished for disk brakes.
Packing and unpacking a coupled tandem is a big project. It is doable but not quick. Especially if you take care not to scratch the paint. Even if you are practiced I'd guess it is at least a 2 hour project at both ends. For that reason I think a Tandem Tuesday would be much easier.
I consider myself pretty good with my hands, but other than the first time, it typically takes me a bit under an hour to pack. I'll bet I could get unpacking under 30 minutes if I tried hard, and I even use a torque wrench on all the fasteners other than the S&S couplers. I wouldn't go buy them just for bike packing, but I already had them and they aren't any bigger than a normal screwdriver or t-handle allen wrench.
Originally Posted by
act0fgod
1) Can't help although the thought has crossed my mind as there seem to be lots of coupled tandems for sale now with dual rim brakes and I'd ideally like a touring tandem with a front disc, rear cantilever and arai drag.
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Depends on where you ride, but I definitely appreciate my Arai on long steep hills, and wouldn't give it up for a disc on the rear. I have wondered about a front disc though.