[sigh]: ANOTHER newbie?
hey, folks!
finally got my new membership confirmation email, so now i can start ASKING questions rather than just looking for the right threads.
in brief:
i have been racing bikes--road, mountain, cyclocross, bmx, and 20 years ago tandems--since 1983, and now want to get back into tandem racing. i had a cannondale that we raced in the late 80s and early 90s, and had such great times and success.
well, a new partner who rides a lot has me excited about getting serious about it again, but i have many questions, and i figure there are likely more opinions here than elsewhere, so feel free to chime in. as an aside, i host a weekly cycling radio show, and this search, acquisition and building process is likely to be part of a multi-episode series, so if you'd like to be included as a contributor, let me know, and we can arrange telephone interviews.
1--frame material. i'm thinking titanium, aluminum, or carbon. we both ride 50 cm singles, and can have, therefore, a small and lightweight frame, which because of its small size will be quite stiff, for better or worse. what do YOU think?
2--frame builder or manufacturer. because a 50/50 is NOT stock, we will need a custom frame. who do YOU recommend? who do you think we should AVOID? tell me of you experiences.
3--brakes. disc or caliper? i haven't checked yet whether discs are legal in usacycling events, so it might be a moot question, but what are your experiences? which BRAND of brakes are best and lightest?
4--wheels. stable and reliable versus lightweight and aero advantage: well, what's out there, and what have YOU folks experienced?
5--stoker handlebars. what's best, regular drops or bull-horn style, or something else?
that should be enough for starters. if you have or are a racing team, let me know. i want to come into this armed with as much opinion as possible.
other data: my racing age is 56, and i'm a cat 1. my stoker is not yet licensed, but has been riding for years, and has competed in many triathlons and running races. she is preparing for the cyclocross season. she is 51. she weighs about, 110 or so, while i weigh about 150. i am 5'7, she is 5'6.
again, thanks so much for ANY suggestions, opinions, or tales of woe or joy from your tandem experiences.
--kim
Last edited by bikerkim; 09-16-09 at 10:13 AM.
Reason: typo