Weigh in on a tandem...
10-08-12, 07:11 PM
#26
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Thread Starter
We absolutely LOVE our coupled da Vinci. I the last 2 years we have ridden it over 12,000 miles and have taken it with us to 7 other states and 1 foreign country for organized tours or a 700-mile self-supported tour. We did have a "fixed" tandem prior to that and rode it only enough to decide we wanted a high-end tandem that was coupled for travel. I don't see why anyone would consider da Vinci's independent coasting system a good idea "for beginners". It really has no relevance for beginners or experts, specifically. It's for people who enjoy the advantages of being to stand up and stretch while the other one is still pedaling, or momentarily stop pedaling to take a photo, reach for something in the trunk bag, or start on on a steep hill while the captain clips in. If you don't like the ICS da Vinci can lock it so it functions the same as a fixed tandem and you'd be left with a bike that still has more gears and higher ground clearance than a conventional tandem. After travelling so much with our da Vinci the last two years and talking to so many other curious people we've come to learn that the ICS system is the most misunderstood feature of this beautiful hand-built bike. For some reason lots of people think it means you can each pedal at your own cadence--not true.
So, what do you have, Ti or steel, and how much do you think frame material matters? If this is the tandem for me for a decade or more then I may consider carbon or Ti, but if steel or Alu makes for a bike with few disadvantages to the exotic frame materials then why not save the $$$...
How about wheels, did you get the Rolf upgrades daVinci offers? Are they good enough for fast, trouble free riding? Thanks...
and not sure of all the travel as it sounds like work but I am glad you're having such a wonderful time with it.
Thanks again!
Jerry
10-08-12, 07:24 PM
#27
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10-08-12, 08:09 PM
#28
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10-09-12, 06:08 AM
#29
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Hello DubT,
I don't mean to take this thread way off topic, but, I don't think that I can send a private message to you.
My question for you is regarding your Topolino Tandem Wheels. I have followed the situation where you had damage to the rear Topolino wheel and you sent it off for repair. You purchased some Spinergy wheels while you were waiting. (You had the Bontrager wheels originally). In this thread, on 10-7-2012, you mention offering for sale the Bontrager or Spinergy wheels. Does this mean that you like the Topolino wheels the best out of the 3 sets? I assume that the Topolino wheels are the lightest.
Are you back riding the Topolino wheels primarily? Any comments regarding the Topolino wheels versus the Spinergy wheels might be good to hear.
Thank You,
ghoundz
I don't mean to take this thread way off topic, but, I don't think that I can send a private message to you.
My question for you is regarding your Topolino Tandem Wheels. I have followed the situation where you had damage to the rear Topolino wheel and you sent it off for repair. You purchased some Spinergy wheels while you were waiting. (You had the Bontrager wheels originally). In this thread, on 10-7-2012, you mention offering for sale the Bontrager or Spinergy wheels. Does this mean that you like the Topolino wheels the best out of the 3 sets? I assume that the Topolino wheels are the lightest.
Are you back riding the Topolino wheels primarily? Any comments regarding the Topolino wheels versus the Spinergy wheels might be good to hear.
Thank You,
ghoundz
10-09-12, 12:43 PM
#30
Newbie
Thread Starter
So, it sounds like you would definitely recommend carbon for a tandom frame material, if you can afford it.. ??
Thanks,
Jerry
10-09-12, 12:43 PM
#31
Senior Member
[Partial Quote] As far as frame material goes, I was leaning towards Alu for the little weight savings it offers, but if you're going to spend a lot then should you just get a reverse mortgage and get a carbon frame? [Quote]
I am not much of a believer in exotic materials for a tandem, but as an aid to your own decisions; Recommend a detailed discussion with the Rodriguez tandem folks, the Santana tandem folks, and one or two other builders with the specific goal of gaining their view on frame materials for your specific needs. Adding to that discussion is that a lot of progress has been made with steel tube over the past 10 years or so. I think most builders will agree that they can build a bike from either of the materials and end up with the same general frame weight. What you put on the frame will have much more to do with it...and most all of that is driven by how you want to ride and any reliability expectations you in mind.
I am not much of a believer in exotic materials for a tandem, but as an aid to your own decisions; Recommend a detailed discussion with the Rodriguez tandem folks, the Santana tandem folks, and one or two other builders with the specific goal of gaining their view on frame materials for your specific needs. Adding to that discussion is that a lot of progress has been made with steel tube over the past 10 years or so. I think most builders will agree that they can build a bike from either of the materials and end up with the same general frame weight. What you put on the frame will have much more to do with it...and most all of that is driven by how you want to ride and any reliability expectations you in mind.
10-09-12, 02:55 PM
#32
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The freedom to move around sounds very valuable for long rides and to enhance comfort. That's one reason I posted this question... to me it seems like it's a great option well worth the money.
So, what do you have, Ti or steel, and how much do you think frame material matters? If this is the tandem for me for a decade or more then I may consider carbon or Ti, but if steel or Alu makes for a bike with few disadvantages to the exotic frame materials then why not save the $$$...
How about wheels, did you get the Rolf upgrades daVinci offers? Are they good enough for fast, trouble free riding? Thanks...
and not sure of all the travel as it sounds like work but I am glad you're having such a wonderful time with it.
Thanks again!
Jerry
So, what do you have, Ti or steel, and how much do you think frame material matters? If this is the tandem for me for a decade or more then I may consider carbon or Ti, but if steel or Alu makes for a bike with few disadvantages to the exotic frame materials then why not save the $$$...
How about wheels, did you get the Rolf upgrades daVinci offers? Are they good enough for fast, trouble free riding? Thanks...
and not sure of all the travel as it sounds like work but I am glad you're having such a wonderful time with it.
Thanks again!
Jerry
10-09-12, 03:00 PM
#33
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I forgot to mention that I do not use a thudbuster. We originally got the bike with a Thudbuster, but the Ti rides so well I don't need it.
10-10-12, 10:59 AM
#34
Senior Member
Hello DubT,
I don't mean to take this thread way off topic, but, I don't think that I can send a private message to you.
My question for you is regarding your Topolino Tandem Wheels. I have followed the situation where you had damage to the rear Topolino wheel and you sent it off for repair. You purchased some Spinergy wheels while you were waiting. (You had the Bontrager wheels originally). In this thread, on 10-7-2012, you mention offering for sale the Bontrager or Spinergy wheels. Does this mean that you like the Topolino wheels the best out of the 3 sets? I assume that the Topolino wheels are the lightest.
Are you back riding the Topolino wheels primarily? Any comments regarding the Topolino wheels versus the Spinergy wheels might be good to hear.
Thank You,
ghoundz
I don't mean to take this thread way off topic, but, I don't think that I can send a private message to you.
My question for you is regarding your Topolino Tandem Wheels. I have followed the situation where you had damage to the rear Topolino wheel and you sent it off for repair. You purchased some Spinergy wheels while you were waiting. (You had the Bontrager wheels originally). In this thread, on 10-7-2012, you mention offering for sale the Bontrager or Spinergy wheels. Does this mean that you like the Topolino wheels the best out of the 3 sets? I assume that the Topolino wheels are the lightest.
Are you back riding the Topolino wheels primarily? Any comments regarding the Topolino wheels versus the Spinergy wheels might be good to hear.
Thank You,
ghoundz
weight wise the Bontrager wheels are the heaviest, followed by the Spinergy (less than 100 grams heavier than the Topolino) and the then the Topolino. I am currently running the Spinergy rear wheel as I have not yet received the Topolino wheel back. They are having an issue with a supplier and hope it is resolved in the near future. The ride of the Spinergy and Topolino rear wheel is very similar. The Spinergy front wheel that I bought is spoked radially and is very stiff, they make one that is not radial for front disc brake usage and it is supposed to ride more comfortably.
i have a HED 3 tubular wheel on the front of my road bike and I have been using it on the tandem recently and really like the way it looks feels and handles. I am strongly considering selling the tubular HED 3 and the Spinergy front wheel and buying a new clincher HED 3 that I can use on the tandem and my road bike. I am not thrilled about using a tubular on the tandem.
