Tandem Flatbar/SRAM Conversion Question
03-28-24, 05:22 PM
#26
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I am glad the o.p. finally decided to ask about the ergonomics of replacing the front shifter independently. I for one simply would not be able to abide even the mild difference in dimensions/throw/etc. that might result from simply sourcing any 3x front trigger that might be available other than the one expressly designed to work with the rear shifter of my choice. But we are all losing sight of the prize because all this talk of trigger shifters implies a change of fork and much more and I am just not sure that this is the way to go. The o.p. talked about a custom (steel) fork which is still going to have to match the 1.25" construction of the present carbon fork. I can only imagine that that fork is going to cost more than the entire 2024 value of the present tandem. The exaggeration (if) is only slight. Someone on planet Earth is capable of fabricating a carbon stem raiser in a 1.25" inch format so the o.p. can use their existing controls. The cost should not exceed the contemplated mods. Finding that fabricator would be my priority. Or finding a good Physical Therapist as an alternative. There is also the option of sourcing a tandem already built with an elevated cockpit for the Captain. I've seen these at Tandem Rallies. They must wind up on the classifieds market with some frequency.
The present value of the older tandem doesn't really work. The proper analysis is what it will cost to obtain/modify a tandem that fits both of us. I explored a new tandem (off the shelf and custom) and decided against it, primarily because as we age, changes will need to be made, so a new tandem isn't a long term solution.
The idea of using a Physical Therapist after every ride is somewhat amusing, but not practical.
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05-25-24, 06:34 AM
#27
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We just finished six days of riding in Southern Utah (Ceadr Breaks, Panguitch, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and Zion).
Fantastic tour! (https://escapeadventures.com/tour/br...oad-bike-tour/)
Everything worked flawlessly except shifting in the rear. We are using a Microshift 11-42 cassette as we need the granny gear. There were many difficult shifts and a lot of double shifts. The bike shifts flawlessly on the stand in the garage, but poorly on the road (under light or heavy load). (New Deore XT rear derailleur with a Wolf roadlink and Shimano Sora 9-speed trigger shifter). The derailleur alignment and B-screw adjustment are correct.
Would a Shimano HG cassette make much difference? Any other potential fixes?
Fantastic tour! (https://escapeadventures.com/tour/br...oad-bike-tour/)
Everything worked flawlessly except shifting in the rear. We are using a Microshift 11-42 cassette as we need the granny gear. There were many difficult shifts and a lot of double shifts. The bike shifts flawlessly on the stand in the garage, but poorly on the road (under light or heavy load). (New Deore XT rear derailleur with a Wolf roadlink and Shimano Sora 9-speed trigger shifter). The derailleur alignment and B-screw adjustment are correct.
Would a Shimano HG cassette make much difference? Any other potential fixes?
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Cheers, Mike
05-25-24, 11:41 AM
#28
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Generally, shifting will suffer when using an extender like the roadlink. I would recommend swapping the derailleur with one made for the range you’re using. Did the shifting seem like it was worse in one end of the range than the other?
05-25-24, 02:29 PM
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I’ll try removing the roadlink and changing to a cassette the derailleur can work with.
Thanks.
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05-28-24, 12:18 AM
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I did not know Microshift made cassettes. Did the o.p. ascertain their compatibility with a Shimano rear derailleur? I am not sure of this, but I believe the long cage Deore RD's have a kind of built in roadlink and they are designed to work with some pretty big cassettes. If the o.p. is going through the trouble of redoing the drivetrain, I can't see it costing anymore money to get an RD that can work with the 11-42 cassette rather than getting a (11 - 36?) cassette that the present RD can handle. That would be a major step backwards in total gear range. Any number of things could be causing the poor shifting and I would not automatically assume it is any of the causes recent posts have suspected.
05-28-24, 08:24 AM
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I did not know Microshift made cassettes. Did the o.p. ascertain their compatibility with a Shimano rear derailleur? I am not sure of this, but I believe the long cage Deore RD's have a kind of built in roadlink and they are designed to work with some pretty big cassettes. If the o.p. is going through the trouble of redoing the drivetrain, I can't see it costing anymore money to get an RD that can work with the 11-42 cassette rather than getting a (11 - 36?) cassette that the present RD can handle. That would be a major step backwards in total gear range. Any number of things could be causing the poor shifting and I would not automatically assume it is any of the causes recent posts have suspected.
We need the 42T cog (at least until I complete my weight loss program (85# down 25# to go) in the next few months). I may convert to friction shifting, although that trigger shifter is awfully nice when it works.
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Last edited by PromptCritical; 05-28-24 at 03:54 PM.
05-28-24, 11:48 AM
#33
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Have you carefully checked the derailleur hanger alignment with the roadlink as the reference point?
05-28-24, 03:53 PM
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