Tandem Bike — Best Bike Hacks
01-29-22, 08:57 AM
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 171
Bikes: Merlin Road, Rivendell Road, Arvon custom tandme, Hi-Light G-7
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Replace timing chain with a belt. Saves about 10 ounces of weight; increased longevity; doesn’t require re tensioning over time, keeps one side of the bike clean, does not require lubrication or cleaning, is arguably more,efficient, and creates a more connected feel between stoker and captain.
And I believe with the new Veer system, you have the ability to find different sized tandems.
And I believe with the new Veer system, you have the ability to find different sized tandems.
I converted our bike from 4x8 to same sided 2x11. Long term reliability remains to be seen.
01-31-22, 06:21 PM
#27
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,250
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
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Since I posted about Veer, our subsequent experience was not good. We just couldn’t get it set up to not skip under load. We tried all sorts of adjustments and it always skipped. I thought it might be an alignment problem with the frame. We went back to Gates, and it’s been problem free, so apparently it wasn’t the frame.
in our experience, I don’t think there’s a durability problem, but in our one off anecdote, we just couldn’t get it to not skip, even after replacing both belt and rings.
YMMV
in our experience, I don’t think there’s a durability problem, but in our one off anecdote, we just couldn’t get it to not skip, even after replacing both belt and rings.
YMMV
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
02-03-22, 12:55 PM
#28
Senior Member
I have been playing with some hacks for my tandem with a 3D printer and a metal laser cutter. Plastic parts are carbon fiber/nylon. Metal tools are made of stainless steel. Hope you like them.
bike
3d printed rear light and radar mount
rear light and radar
3d printed water bottle cage
designed to fit longer water bottle
tool box
laser cut stainless steel tools (ss spaner wrench, pedal wrench, tire levers)
bike
3d printed rear light and radar mount
rear light and radar
3d printed water bottle cage
designed to fit longer water bottle
tool box
laser cut stainless steel tools (ss spaner wrench, pedal wrench, tire levers)
02-03-22, 01:02 PM
#29
Senior Member
3D printed Garmin/headlight mount:
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02-09-22, 08:42 AM
#30
Senior Member
Found these quick connect/disconnect couplers for hydraulic brake hose. Just had them installed for about a month in anticipation for a France/Germany tour later this year. Works well so far.
02-09-22, 10:39 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Fargo ND
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Bikes: Time Scylon, Lynskey R350, Ritchey Breakaway, Ritchey Double Switchback, Lynskey Ridgeline, ICAN Fatbike
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Can you give a source for those, please. I have been looking and haven't found any.
02-09-22, 03:35 PM
#33
Senior Member
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02-24-22, 07:08 PM
#34
Senior Member
Bike boxes free from the local bike shop resized to transport the tandem bike - small enough to fit in a car trunk and large enough to fit a bike and accessories.
Wheels are reclaimed from an office chair attached to 3d printed mounts which are held in place with straps.
Designed to get around airports and train stations easily.
Wheels are reclaimed from an office chair attached to 3d printed mounts which are held in place with straps.
Designed to get around airports and train stations easily.
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04-22-22, 01:35 PM
#35
Junior Member
Not a very complicated hack, but it has worked well. Our travel tandem has four Topeak QR quick-release water bottle mounts ($8 ea on Amazon.) I mounted an Xlab Mezzo Cage Pod ($14 on Amazon) directly to one of the Topeak mounts, simply by drilling two holes into the pod. The tool pod (no cage needed) holds a spare tube, pump, tire iron, and other repair items, allowing me to use a smaller tool pack under the captain's seat. Using the quick-release mount, the tool pod is very easy to remove and access if needed for repairs or when breaking down the tandem for travel. We find that the other three mounts hold enough water bottles for our cycling needs, but if we needed a fourth water bottle, the tool pod could be removed and stored in a pannier.
Last edited by mbliven; 04-25-22 at 12:34 PM. Reason: Clarity of posting and to post a smaller image.
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06-27-22, 06:14 PM
#36
Full Member
We have Topeak MTX racks and bags on our tandems and my stoker has complained about the trunk bag crowding her behind. You can see in the first picture how the bag sits right up the back of the stokers saddle. The geometry of the bikes force the racks to be at their adjustment limits so there is no adjusting to move the bag back. The bag slides into a dovetail and clips to the front bar of the rack. Installation and removal is very convenient which is why we like this trunk solution..
My solution to provide relief to my stoker was to design and 3D print a extension block that replicates the latch bar a few inches back from the front of the rack. This block stays in place permanently and the trunk bag can be installed and removed just like it would as the the solution is sold. She loves it (happy wife, happy life!
)
Stock MTX set up on our bikes puts the bag right in the stokers seating area crowding her space and making her unhappy.
Latch extender slides into same dovetail and clamps to the front bar of the rack
Only adds a few ounces (which for us is noise)
Bag now clips in about 3 inches back from before giving stoker plenty of room. Bag is still well retained in dovetail slot and is very secure.
My solution to provide relief to my stoker was to design and 3D print a extension block that replicates the latch bar a few inches back from the front of the rack. This block stays in place permanently and the trunk bag can be installed and removed just like it would as the the solution is sold. She loves it (happy wife, happy life!
)Stock MTX set up on our bikes puts the bag right in the stokers seating area crowding her space and making her unhappy.
Latch extender slides into same dovetail and clamps to the front bar of the rack
Only adds a few ounces (which for us is noise)
Bag now clips in about 3 inches back from before giving stoker plenty of room. Bag is still well retained in dovetail slot and is very secure.
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01-25-23, 10:14 PM
#37
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Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: New England
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1. S&S coupled custom welded frame enables transport in two pieces so one is not bench pressing 86# of 8'3" long bike at a go into truck bed or atop truck cap. A godsend. Couplers on all cables as well.
2. Foot-forward frame (custom welded) reduces stress geometry on knees. When I try my single normal bike the knee pain is startling and disabling.
3. Retrofitting with Bafang 1500watt mid-drive motor and 52v battery. Had to rebuild all systems and machine some parts, to accommodate. Throttle-only assist up hills, soft ground, and windy conditions.
4. Freewheeling chainring adapter spider from Sick Bike Parts. Captain and Stoker can pedal or stop independently. Easy stops and starts, no surprise if goose motor on hazard.
5. Drilled out rims for Schrader, ditched the Presta valves. More robust, no more bent stems and easier to get tubes or assistance on trail if ever needed.
2. Foot-forward frame (custom welded) reduces stress geometry on knees. When I try my single normal bike the knee pain is startling and disabling.
3. Retrofitting with Bafang 1500watt mid-drive motor and 52v battery. Had to rebuild all systems and machine some parts, to accommodate. Throttle-only assist up hills, soft ground, and windy conditions.
4. Freewheeling chainring adapter spider from Sick Bike Parts. Captain and Stoker can pedal or stop independently. Easy stops and starts, no surprise if goose motor on hazard.
5. Drilled out rims for Schrader, ditched the Presta valves. More robust, no more bent stems and easier to get tubes or assistance on trail if ever needed.
01-29-23, 07:37 PM
#38
Full Member
The handle bar stems on our tandems are very short and it is difficult to hold the bike with one hand when removing and installing the front wheel. Not being able to hold the bike by the center axis results in the bike wanting to lean over and forces me to use my body against the handle bars to hold the bike steady. The bike still leans a little and it is hard to get the front wheel lined up to mate with the dropouts.
I designed and 3D printed a simple handle that sits between the steerer tube and the stem cap. This provides a very convenient way to hold the bike balanced with one hand when removing and reinstalling the front wheel. Not only is the bike balanced, it is very easy to direct the forks to mate up with the front wheel.
I designed and 3D printed a simple handle that sits between the steerer tube and the stem cap. This provides a very convenient way to hold the bike balanced with one hand when removing and reinstalling the front wheel. Not only is the bike balanced, it is very easy to direct the forks to mate up with the front wheel.
02-10-23, 12:17 PM
#39
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 256
Bikes: 2000 Santana Sovereign SE; 2005 Co-Motion Speedster; Kona Kilauea with various dorky commuter accouterments; Mercier Kilo TT fixie; Burley Fladbed trailer for groceries, bags of cement and the like.
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My stoker, after riding with conventional bullhorn bars for years, including on two cross-country tours, asked if there was a way to get more palm support.
Sure thing!
Solution: A set of used super-light flat bars, Ergon GP5 grips and silicone grips cut to fit the rest of the bars.
I started full width, about 550mm, for a tryout. I could trim and re-try until the width was right.
She loved it instantly and liked the full length, a bit wider than the bullhorns, as well as the very slight rearward sweep.
We can fine-tune it over the next few-100 miles.
(The Deore XT brake lever lets the stoker control the rear V-brake; captain controls the rear disc brake.)
Sure thing!
Solution: A set of used super-light flat bars, Ergon GP5 grips and silicone grips cut to fit the rest of the bars.
I started full width, about 550mm, for a tryout. I could trim and re-try until the width was right.
She loved it instantly and liked the full length, a bit wider than the bullhorns, as well as the very slight rearward sweep.
We can fine-tune it over the next few-100 miles.
(The Deore XT brake lever lets the stoker control the rear V-brake; captain controls the rear disc brake.)
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