This is a long overdue update from back in August 2023. So, back in July 2023, after our tandem had developed a pretty bad creaking issue, and after researching this thread, I received (ordered) the Lightning Lockring tool and 3 washers from Lightning. I took the tandem into my bike shop, along with the Lockring tool and 3 washers and instructed them to investigate the stoker’s crankset. I was pretty sure that the creaking was coming from the stoker’s crankset. The mechanics determined that the stoker drive side spider lockring was loose. Using the Lightning Lockring tool, they gave it about a quarter of a turn. The mechanics did a test ride and determined that the tandem was now quiet.
My wife and I were happy that the tandem was quiet and it stayed that way for the rest of 2023 and through our riding season of 2024.
About one week ago, we took the tandem out for its first ride of Calendar Year 2025. For the first 19 miles, the tandem was quiet. Then the familiar creak (or creaking) that we remember from back in 2023, began to disturb our otherwise enjoyable ride. Given the persistence of the creak and the familiarity of the creak, I am pretty sure it is the stoker drive side spider lockring that has become loose, again.
When the shop worked on this tandem in August 2023, they did not use a washer and they did not use Blue Loctite on the threads of the lockring. (The bike shop provided us detailed notes about what the mechanics did and these things were not detailed in those notes and they gave me back all 3 of the washers that I had received from Lightning.)
Based on the experience of others in this tandem community, and specifically those members that have Lightning cranks, would you agree that this time a washer should be used between the spider and the lockring? Further, would Blue Loctite be advisable?
I apologize for not updating this thread with my experience from back in August 2023. I know that these updates can be helpful to others that might be experiencing the same type of issue.
Thank You!