WheresWaldo-

Actually, what Jobst said was that spoke gauge made no difference in lateral wheel stiffness as long as the wheel is properly tensioned. That contention is clearly contradicted by HP Gavin's research (you did take a look at that, right?). Rikard Gothall also states it concisely- lateral wheel stiffness is a function of (among other things such as flange height and spacing) total spoke cross section for a given spoke number. This all falls into line with what I know from actual experience on the bike, so I'm entertaining the possibility that Jobst might have been, ahem, mistaken. Or at least didn't have the benefit of access to the more modern research I've cited. Anyone that wants to dig back years and years into Tandem@hobbes could probably find that discussion.

By the way, I've ridden a Cannondale tandem for the past 15 years (same color as yours; everyone knows that those Galaxy Blue ones are the fastest<G>), and they are eminently upgradeable as you are doing. It's a great frame, not the lightest, but very stiff and efficient. I've been bitten by the "buy a better tandem" bug many times over the years, and have test driven a lot of fancy bikes. I just haven't found one that works so much better than the Cannondale that the expediture of the $$$$$ seemed worthwhile. My blind stoker (and wife) tends to be quite sensitive to the way bikes feel, and she quite agrees- the big name brands we have tested struck her as way too flexible, especially when climbing.

Have fun with your upgrades, and good luck with your training program.

Rick