Machiatto Test Ride
I was lucky enough to get the prototype Machiatto to test. I currently own a Robusta that I have been riding and racing for the past several years. My initial concerns was that without a lateral tube the bike would have too much flex and likely drop the timing chain under heavy loads. We hammered it up steep climbs out of the saddle and experienced no flex. The bike is as stiff as my Robusta.
The handling is much more like a single than a tandem. I used multiple stokers and it worked best with an experienced stoker (as any bike would) as we could really feel the performance difference. The 6lbs of weight loss is huge! The bike climbed and descended very well.
I have no experience with other tandems without lateral tubes but the Machiatto has no issue that I could find. I will post pictures of my new Machiatto as soon as it is finished.