Thank you for the explanation. I have never been particularly fond of or averse to the handling of the tandem. I just never gave it much thought. It is very different than the single bikes we ride with trail numbers all in the 5.7-6.0cm range. I think I would welcome a change lengthening trail. We do absolutely no loaded touring of any kind, and our rides are almost always with singles, as their just aren't that many tandem riders in my part of town SE of Charlotte. It sounds like it would be an actual improvement in high speed performance beyond the weight savings.

My Stoker is small at only 5'2" and is a much smoother pedaler than I am, so I have no issues with rocking. Although sometimes on social rides she has the tendency to forget she is on the back of a tandem and will turn almost completely around to talk to the other riders.