Just got a used Santana Triplet! Need brake info!
 

Hi All, new guy to the forum here. We just got a Santana triplet this past weekend! It's in awesome shape and a real beauty. The neighbors thought the bike was new, it's in such nice condition. I've got to check with Santana when it was made but I believe it's a 93, 94, 95 model approx.

Some background...My wife and I have had a Santana Ariva tandem for about 5 years but have wanted to bring along our 5 year old daughter on the rides. Our two son's (10 and 11) are old enough to watch after themselves for an hour or so while we go for a ride. And of course they'll get some ride time also. Did a little spin around the neighborhood yesterday and I think I've got a couple hammers behind me! When they want to they can ride pretty strong.

Anyways on our tandem I switched the brakes over to V brakes with the Dia compe 287V levers with a thumb friction lever for the drum brake. The triplet has it's original canti's where the left lever works the Arai drum brake and the right lever works both front and rear cantis. Coming from years of riding single this setup just doesn't feel right to me so I want to switch it like I have the tandem. Disk brakes are not option since the frame doesn't have a mounting tabs.

So, are V brakes with Diacompe 287V levers still a good option? Also, any triplet teams have any advice for a family of 5 with a triplet? Thanks!

You said, "So, are V brakes with Diacompe 287V levers still a good option? Also, any triplet teams have any advice for a family of 5 with a triplet? Thanks!"

From my experience, I'd say yes to the brakes with 287V levers. For brakes I'd select Avid Single Digit 7s with Wrangler pads. I put this combo on my Santana and it worked far better than the stock Cantis.

Agree with Antiquepedaler and would set up drum brake control on stoker handlebar.

We own a Santana Triplet. We have V brakes in the front and disc brake in the back controlled by STI shifters/levers. We would not take it down very steep/long descents. A few months back we had it with double V brakes a drum brake but we were using the drum brake very seldom. We ride it with our 25 year old daughter as a 430 lbs team. We also ride it with our younger (16 yr old) daughter... 450 lbs team, but not nearly as often as we would like. In an older tandem (Burley duet) we had cantis with diacompe levers, bar end shifters and a thumb controller for the drum brake... it worked fine.

Our advice is: use it as much as you can while the kids want to do it. They may not want to ride in their teenage years but they may come around and ride with you as young adults.

Hi All, Thanks for the info. I think I'll go with the 287V levers and try the Avid SingleDigit 7 brakes. I doubt we'll give the stoker the drum brake. Generally I think she doesn't want that responsiblity during the rides. Also, I doubt we'll actually be going down any hills where we need it that much.....cuz generally..what you go down you must climb at some point.

Cornucopia72...thanks for the advice. I've had been thinking about a triplet or even a quad for about a year now. The cost and the question of whether we'd really ride it enough was my main doubts. But I saw this triple, the price was reasonable and I figured if we don't do this now while the kids are young I'll have missed an opportunity.

We have V brakes w/DiaCompe 287V levers on our tandem. Works fine. I assume that if adjusted properly, the 287Vs could lock up the wheels on a triplet as well.