track tandem?
 

i'm hoping someone here knows of a used track tandem around as well as any info concerning the how to's and insights into the sport

I'm pretty sure that with the exception of a few "demonstration events" such as the one held at Trexlertown, PA each year, track tandem racing (e.g., Tandem Sprint) has all but disappeared with one exception: Paralympic track tandem racing for disabled (usually sight or hearing impaired).

The demise of tandem track racing started when it was dropped as an Olympic event after the 1972 Olympics at Munich, Germany. I'm not exactly sure when it happened (1995?), but UCI and USA Cycling also no longer sanction non-disabled track tandem events / the tandem sprint as they have been deemed "too dangerous".

However, paralympic tandem track racing is alive and well...

http://www.paralympic.org/release/Su...les/index.html

http://www.usaba.org/

http://www.ibsa.es/eng/deportes/tand...esentacion.htm

As for finding a track tandem, there are a few out there and your best bet is checking with the folks at USABA and/or the velodromes around the country to see what's available. You can also "Google" on the phrase "track tandem" for sale and see what comes up on both the Web and Groups.

They've come up on ebay now and again. I think it would be a pretty unique experience. You could probably get some serious speed on one of those. Trackstanding would be a bítch though. :D

I tried pm you. I have a 54/54 NOS track tandem frameset that I would sell. PM me if you don't get my message.

thanks,

Mike

Are there events/people who compete in track tandem races, or are these things purely for the novelty of it?

yep. as far as racing goes it's going to be pretty limited, but we've got a couple of usba athletes locally that i've had stoke on the road so thats probably where this is going. also i'm pretty sure there's still tandem events at elite nat's so there's another option. i've done a bit of tandem racing on the road with sucess so i figured with my addiction to the track..... hard to justify big bucks for a custom for just a couple of national events and kix at our local velodrome. still hoping for a deal on used

It's possible there is an American-to-Eccentric dealy, but you may not get full adjustment (probably enough for any gear if you use a half-link). But if you're making a tandem, why not just space the BBs to fit the link chain; all even numbered 'rings would need a whole or half inch (18", 21.5" etc), all odd 'rings need a quarter or three quarters (19.25", 20.75" etc).

There was a lovely Jackson TT tandem in my LBS the other day, HED trispokes, DA 9spd (I know), Cinelli Angels, all black but the tubs (yellow) and bar tape (white). Mmmm, tandem-tastic :)