Tandem Geek:

As usual a very thorough answer to my question. I talked to Chris at Bicycle Outfitters and he is really against the disc set up b/c of the finiky, touchy set up and bending rotors by knocking into things...

I ride mountain bikes with disc brakes and know how to deal with them. The problem is that my frame is not set up for disc I would prefer to do a disc on the rear. The frame does have a drum brake attachment on the rear stay.

I bomb the hills, very fast decender. My stoker is the exact opposite, this is why I am trying to find out a braking solution that will allow me to keep the bike at the compromise speed. That speed requires a lot more braking than I am accustomed to using. I am worried that I will over heat the rim and have a front tire blow out. As you know there is no way of surviving that one without a spill. A spill would set us back significantly.

This evening we decended 2000 ft from the mid mountain point of Mt. Diablo here in Walnut Creek. I kept the bike going at the compromise speed which required quite a bit of braking. Probably on the brakes 70% of the time. I let off and re-apply to get some cooling. We did stop about 1/2 way down so that I could feel the rim. It was warm-hot, but no where near burning temp. I could easily keep my finger on the rim.

My next mod on the bike is some fusion 700 deep v rims, for added strength, and better heat dissipation. I have dura-ace 9 brakes and will upgrade to dura ace 10 - better strength and clamping force. I believe the braking power is adequate - just don't want to have a blow out. Maybe I can use heavier tubes or something which will mitagate such an occurence.

Currently running 28 conti 4 season, slime tube, kevlar tire liner.

My stoker is getting better and better about the decending. As you know we are a new team and the trust thing is built over miles of safe, fun rides.

If we decided to pull a trailer, the drum or disc would be a must.

Thanks again for any input