Stoker on the DL
08-09-13, 09:22 AM
#1
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Stoker on the DL
My wife is on the DL with no idea when/if she'll be able to resume her "duties". I'm bummed out needless to say. Yes, I'm riding my single which I enjoy, but 100K's are lonely! We'll see how it goes. Meanwhile I suppose I have some stoker options:
1. 38 y/o son - very good cyclist but he has a family and I'd have to "pay" him to get him on the back. We'd be fast, however.
2. his 10 y/o son - maybe
3. his 5 y/o son - future candidate
4. 38 y/o son twin of #1 - athletic, but out of shape/overweight due to being Mr. Mom for a 2 y/o. He's going to have to shape up before I lug him around
5. Other - I suppose I could lead a occasional club ride on the tandem with some hapless volunteer on the back.
Of the above, the 5 y/o holds the most promise. He's a dynamo and with a kid stoker kit he would more than carry his own weight. Plus, he likes to go fast. He did a 50K on a trail-a-bike and never stopped pedaling. He could easily have done the 50K on his 5 speed, drop-bar single, but he's not road-wise enough.
Life goes on as they say. Meanwhile, the daVinci hangs in the garage.
BTW, my LBS would love to see someone on a tandem try the new Hutchinson 28mm tubeless on a tandem. I've got them on my single and I think I'm in love.
1. 38 y/o son - very good cyclist but he has a family and I'd have to "pay" him to get him on the back. We'd be fast, however.
2. his 10 y/o son - maybe
3. his 5 y/o son - future candidate
4. 38 y/o son twin of #1 - athletic, but out of shape/overweight due to being Mr. Mom for a 2 y/o. He's going to have to shape up before I lug him around
5. Other - I suppose I could lead a occasional club ride on the tandem with some hapless volunteer on the back.
Of the above, the 5 y/o holds the most promise. He's a dynamo and with a kid stoker kit he would more than carry his own weight. Plus, he likes to go fast. He did a 50K on a trail-a-bike and never stopped pedaling. He could easily have done the 50K on his 5 speed, drop-bar single, but he's not road-wise enough.
Life goes on as they say. Meanwhile, the daVinci hangs in the garage.
BTW, my LBS would love to see someone on a tandem try the new Hutchinson 28mm tubeless on a tandem. I've got them on my single and I think I'm in love.
08-09-13, 10:33 AM
#2
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Sorry to hear about your stoker. We have had some minor issues like that this year as well and mileage and fitness are down this year from last couple.
What is the max pressure on that tubeless tire?
I am not sure of the benefit of tubeless. a) I keep hearing fewer flats but it is not the tubeless but the sealant in the tire that fixes flats. That can be added to a tube. b) I don't get pinch flats since I use adequately wide tires with tubes so that is not an issue.
Problems include harder to inflate on the road if there is a road hazard issue and the cost of $90 per tire vs other premium tires.
Why can cars run without sealant at 20-40 psi but bikes need it at higher pressures?
Can any bike tubeless tire be run at 120 psi with a 300 lb load?
What is the max pressure on that tubeless tire?
I am not sure of the benefit of tubeless. a) I keep hearing fewer flats but it is not the tubeless but the sealant in the tire that fixes flats. That can be added to a tube. b) I don't get pinch flats since I use adequately wide tires with tubes so that is not an issue.
Problems include harder to inflate on the road if there is a road hazard issue and the cost of $90 per tire vs other premium tires.
Why can cars run without sealant at 20-40 psi but bikes need it at higher pressures?
Can any bike tubeless tire be run at 120 psi with a 300 lb load?
08-09-13, 11:14 AM
#3
Nigel
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Because motor vehicle tires are MUCH thicker and HEAVIER per unit load carrying capacity. You can purchase bicycle tires that are perfectly happy at 30-40 psi - they are 60mm or more wide....
08-09-13, 02:49 PM
#4
Senior Member
Sorry to hear that I know how it is.
My wife was out with a shoulder problem that eventually required surgery that put her off the bike for about a year.
Then she injured her knee in a fall, that was another year.
Now just the other day we had a silly fall (my fault) while stopping slowly and she banged her knee on the road.
So far she thinks it maybe ok but won't know for sure until we ride tomorrow.
Hope your stoker heals soon. Two strong guys on a tandem sounds like fun but it might take some practice to get in sync and not fight each other.
My wife was out with a shoulder problem that eventually required surgery that put her off the bike for about a year.
Then she injured her knee in a fall, that was another year.
Now just the other day we had a silly fall (my fault) while stopping slowly and she banged her knee on the road.
So far she thinks it maybe ok but won't know for sure until we ride tomorrow.
Hope your stoker heals soon. Two strong guys on a tandem sounds like fun but it might take some practice to get in sync and not fight each other.
08-09-13, 03:11 PM
#5
Uber Goober
I first started riding a tandem with a friend from the local club. She quit after a couple of months, I asked one of the other ladies if she was interested, and we've been riding the tandem for a little over a year now. So it doesn't require "some hapless volunteer" just someone with similar riding interests. Ask around, maybe you'll find somebody interested, maybe not.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
08-09-13, 03:18 PM
#6
Half Fast
The most wonderful stoker in my world (my wife) was out for a couple of months with a broken arm (not bicycle related). She became pretty frustrated that she could not ride, get some vigorous exercise and enjoy all the good things about bicycling.
I hope you have already considered this, but it might be a good idea to make sure that your wife has an outlet for the energy that I imagine she has. If it's something you can do together, you'll get a lot of bonus points.
Best wishes to her for a speedy recovery!
I hope you have already considered this, but it might be a good idea to make sure that your wife has an outlet for the energy that I imagine she has. If it's something you can do together, you'll get a lot of bonus points.
Best wishes to her for a speedy recovery!
08-10-13, 09:23 AM
#7
Riding Heaven's Highwayson the grand tour
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Rick, sorry to hear your wife is on the DL. Please give her our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Bill and Patti J.
Bill and Patti J.
