I have always been a believer in that The tyres I use on the Tandem, Panaracer Fire XC's in 2.1, are only a compromise for grip in the different types of track that I ride over the year. A good compromise mind you as they only really suffer on the slippery chalk surface with a slight covering of clay on the top that we have at present. I have used them right from when I got the Tandem in 2002 and they have always been good enough. Problem is that they are just a compromise. Tonight we went for our normal 3 hour Night ride but used a tyre I picked up cheap from my LBS. The tyres are Kenda Karma in 2.0. Completely different profile, completely different tread, and tonight they were tried just to see if they were any good. First mile or so is on the road, and they are quieter. They also seemed to ride more comfortable, but this is probably due to the rounder profile and tread not being as deep as on the Panaracers. Then we hit the forest trail out to the hills and rough stone overlying soft ground and they seemed to roll better. Then the offroad- wet chalk, plenty of scree, and clay. They grip better. No loss of traction, not quite so much falling into the ruts whenever the camber was hit, and only a couple of occasions when wheelspin was evident on the green chalk that we could not miss. Then I noticed that speed on the flat was up for our normal night riding. The Pilot had attuned himself to more grip and we were going faster due to more confidence. Then the downhill. Glad I am on the back and can't see what is in front of us, but his confidence is definitely back. Front wheel slides were evident but Stuart said he felt in full control, and he proved it on this ride as we did not fall off the thing once. We normally do that twice on a night ride, so something was working. Then the final bit on the road and we have a downhill with about 100yds between hairpins. Speed got faster on the Damp surface until The eventual happened. Higher speed at each corner and suddenly the Tandem was broadside in a tail slide- twice in one corner. We had locked the back wheel, but recovered to run through the corner. No off and I was not even worried, and neither was the pilot.
These tyres are good, They roll well, grip well, are quieter, and when grip is lost, they lose it gradually and are recoverable. I will reserve judgement untill we can get a few more rides on them, but I think there is a new tyre on the block for Offroad Tandems.