Paketa build
 

I finished building up the Paketa this past weekend. Final tale of the tape was 25.8 pounds; this includes pedals, a not so light saddle for my stoker and one water bottle cage (I'll be adding a second, I only had one in my basement).

I used DA-10 components throughout, a FSA tandem crankset, conti 4000 tires and Rolf Vector wheels, kestrel pro sl capt. bars, ea 90 stoker bars and look keo pedals.

Overall, the build went fairly well as there were no major surprises or difficulties in terms of cable routing and the like. Initially, I was concerned that a compact or sloping frame would make it look like the stoker was riding on a pogo stick. However, after it was built up, I kind of like the look. The other potential upside is that my soon to be 4 year old daughter may be able to ride it without a stoker kit. We will have to find a long stoker stem and such.

We did not have great weather in Cleveland on Sunday and Monday so I was not able to ride it with a stoker. However, I did a 10 mile ride on the Paketa on Saturday after my regular single bike ride. During this ride, it was obvious that the bike was light and is quite responsive. I found the ride to be quite nice and it did soak up the bumps very well. I did a couple of fairly steep climbs (hill in Chagrin Falls, for those who know the area). It climbed great, no flex, though I would not expect any since I was riding single. It's handling characteristics are certainly equal to or a little better than our Co-Motion Robusta.

So far, quite please with the final product and am looking forward to getting some rides in with my stoker.

Here is a link to some pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&x=0&y=-4y0ku0

Great job and nice pics. It should be a great machine. My wife and I grew up in Cleveland and know the area and winters well.

one of your pix attached... avoids account creation overhead... awesome bike!!!

very nice -- I have a buddy who rides a Paketa and he loves it, congrats and enjoy!

thanks for posting the thumbnail...how did you do that?

Went to bugmenot.com to get a login to the kodak site... viewed the album... dragged the picture to my desktop... then replied to this forum thread and uploaded the image as an attachment. That's about it!

Cheers,
-Greg

Went to bugmenot.com to get a login to the kodak site... viewed the album... dragged the picture to my desktop... then replied to this forum thread and uploaded the image as an attachment. That's about it!

Cheers,
-Greg

Very nice!!! BUT what I really want is rider feedback. A comparision with the Robusta???? BUt you got me drooling!!!!!

Bows and Arrows
 

I've had a private conversation with a dealer regarding the "open" frame designs, with no lateral tubes. He points out that tandem cranks have a winching type action which causes a "bow and arrow" effect on the frame. If the remaining tubes are not designed to counteract this, then the frame will not perform as well as a laterally braced frame. His opinion is that the Paketa design "pretty well negates" that effect.

For you people riding these designs (Paketa, Calfee, Arizona, CoMo) what's your feeling on this?

The design and oversize tubes used on the lat'less tandems you mention pretty well take care of that issue.
Have ridden Co-Mo and ariZona lat'less . . . no problems.

the scheduled comparison between the Paketa and Robusta didn't happen this weekend. Thanks to rainy weather in Cleveland. Most likely looking at Feb for the next opportunity for this test. I will keep you posted.