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Buying A New Tandem
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Tandems Are Two Much Fun!
Whether you enjoy
cruising sweet singletrack, logging major road miles, simply coasting
around the neighborhood, or all-out competition, doing it on a tandem is
double the fun! |
Why? Because, bicycles
built for two are faster, more stable on descents, have two fewer tires to flat
(compared to two single bikes), attract more attention and allow riding
together, regardless of differences in ability.
Twice The Fun
It's this last point that experienced
tandem teams love the most. Riding double, no one gets left behind! He can
hammer and she can just spin the pedals taking it easy. In this way, both riders
get the ride/workout they want. For couples with different skill levels, riding
tandems is like eating your cake and having it
too!
Another wonderful advantage is
being able to communicate so easily because you're seated so closely. Tandems
also make great "tractors" for pulling child or cargo trailers. And, when
your kids are tall enough, you can install a "kid-back," also known as a
child stoker kit. This device raises the rear crankset so children can ride
along and help pedal (look closely at how the boy is pedaling in the photo
above).
The tandem ride is nothing
short of exhilarating. Twofers these days are light, efficient and fast. You can
choose models made from high-end steel, aluminum, titanium, and even carbon.
Because there's a second engine, with no increase in frontal area, tandems
easily outpace singles on flat straight roads. And, on downhills, they flat out
fly (which is why tandem brakes are so powerful).
And surprisingly, contrary to popular opinion, tandems can climb, too. An
experienced, synchronized team can scale hills as well as any single
rider, partly because today's light, thoroughbred tandems weigh less than two
high-quality singles.
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Why
Tandems Are Tops |
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PROS |
CAVEATS (easily overcome) |
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no
one gets left behind |
bumps can surprise the stoker if not
warned |
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faster & more stable on downhills |
there's a learning curve to harmonious
tandemming |
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half
the flat-tire risk as two singles |
more
bike-storage room required |
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ride
and talk without yelling |
on
group rides, everyone tucks in behind you |
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one
can relax and enjoy the view |
sneaky stokers can soft
pedal while you do all the work |
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stoker can pass food to the captain |
may
need a special bike rack for your car |
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higher speed / same
effort |
people point and laugh when you ride
it alone to get your friend |
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both riders get great
exercise |
bean
burritos |
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two motors to fight
headwinds |
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better upper-body workout
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Selecting A
Tandem
From tourers, to beach cruisers, to full-suspension
mountain bikes, two-seaters come in as many varieties as other bicycles. So, in
choosing one, it's helpful to think about where and how you'll ride and who
you might ride with (joining other tandem teams is a blast because two
of the four riders can concentrate on the conversation -- even refer to route
slips, Palm Pilots, etc!).
Often, you can
decide by the type of single bikes you ride. For example, if you're mountain
bikers who spend weekends exploring local trails, riding them on your new
off-road tandem will be thrilling and a whole new experience. And, you'll be astounded how the
rear wheel sticks like glue to steep climbs with two of you
onboard.
Keep in mind that once you get a tandem and realize how
much fun it is to ride, you'll probably want to use it every chance
you get. A tandem rolls right along, too, so even on a "mountain-bike"
tandem, you'll be able to keep up with single road bikers on pavement (assuming
they're not a lot fitter than you).
Tandems are beautiful bicycles and
many buyers enjoy selecting and customizing their new machine
with upgrades such as suspension seatposts, cyclo-computers, disc
brakes, bags, bells, etc. Matching jerseys are popular with
husband-and-wife teams (photo). We're always happy to discuss the
possibilities.
Frame Types
In the sixties and
seventies, when available tandems were few and far between, there were some
flexy flyers that gave two-up bicycles a bad reputation. These bicycles were
made of cheap steel and the frame designs were inadequate. Consequently, these
under-built machines tended to wobble and sway and were difficult for the
captain (the front rider is called the "captain" and the rear rider is referred
to as the "stoker), to control.
These
early tandems served an important purpose, however: they taught modern designers
how to build sweet-riding frames. And today, tandems are efficient, stable,
comfortable and wonderful to ride. In fact, due to major improvements in tandem
design, the bikes have gained in popularity and more makers offer them than ever
before, which is great news for buyers.
The other great news is that you needn't worry about frame design when
looking at tandems. All the models we carry are well suited to their intended
purpose. We recommend deciding which to buy by discussing your riding
preferences with us so we can arrange a proper test ride. Once you've ridden a
few, we're confident you'll be hooked.
Fit For Two
Perhaps the most
important step in selecting a new tandem is ensuring that it fits correctly.
Like singles, tandems are fully adjustable, however, they usually come in fewer
frame sizes. This can make finding a perfect fit challenging for some riders.
For example, if the captain is very tall and the stoker is very small, major
adjustments may be required because most tandems are sized for "average" size
couples.
One difference between regular
bikes and tandems is that you need more standover clearance for the captain and
less for the stoker. This is because the captain must hold the bike up at stops,
which requires spreading the legs for support. Contrarily, the stoker doesn't
need to be so concerned with standover clearance because she usually remains
seated while the stoker supports the bike.
Of particular concern is reach for the stoker. If the frame is too short
or long, he/she may feel overextended or cramped, jammed too closely to the
captain. Ideally, there'll be room to reach the handlebars comfortably and ride
seated and standing without feeling claustrophobic (you need room to breathe and
enjoy the view). Many tandems feature adjustable stems in the rear, which allow
moving the bars to find the perfect position, too.
The best way to gauge
tandem fit is to visit and sit on a few bikes to see how they feel. We've fit
many tandems and we can check and recommend the best bike.
Wheel Sizes
One of the
biggest decisions is which wheel size to get. Most tandems come with 26-inch or
700c wheels. The former are usually found on comfort, off-road and
all-around tandems and the latter are found on twofers made for
pavement use.
It's important to understand
that 26-inch wheels work fine on pavement, too. Plus, more tire choices are
available for these wheels, so you can easily install knobby tires for dirt use
and slicks for the street. The 26-inch tires are fatter, too, so they also
absorb some road shock, which smoothes the ride. And, they're less likely to
puncture. For these reasons, you'll prefer 26-inchers if you're purchasing a
tandem for all-around riding.
If your idea
of tandem fun is century riding, long-distance touring or racing, though, you
should consider 700c wheels for the same reasons that serious roadies embrace
them. These hoops are lighter, faster and more efficient, which means more of
your pedaling energy goes into forward motion. If this is important to you, go
with the 700c's.
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Sweet Features:
suspension seatpost; adjustable rear stem and roomy bars;
clipless pedals; easy gears; excellent
brakes |
Common Features
One of the great
things about modern tandems is that comfort is king. Captains have always been
comfy because they sit towards the middle of the long frame, which flexes enough
to cushion road shock. Stokers, however, can suffer a bit because they sit
almost directly over the rear wheel and can take a beating from bumps. In back,
you're less likely to see the potholes coming, so you can't always prepare
yourself by rising up off the seat and bending your knees (that's why one of the
captain's jobs is warning, "bump!").
These
days, however, many tandems feature suspension seatposts (and they're a cinch to
add if you'd like to upgrade) that soften impacts from rough roads and
trails. There are also dual-suspension tandems that offer bump control for both
riders.
A nifty advantage of tandems is
being able to mix and match components to suit both riders. For example, many
models sport different handlebars in the front and rear so that both riders can
stretch out and move around to stay comfortable.
A big decision for some buyers is whether to get flat or dropped
handlebars (it's also possible to purchase both and switch to the appropriate
pair when necessary). Flat bars provide an upright riding position favored for
trail riding, cruising and touring. They also provide more control for towing
trailers.
Dropped handlebars are usually
found on long-distance or racing tandems because they provide more hand
positions, which helps in controlling the bike and eliminating soreness on long
rides. Drop bars also allow a more aerodynamic riding position, which is useful
for drafting other riders, hitting top speed down hills and fighting
headwinds.
Like other bicycle equipment,
tandem components have come a long way, too. Brakes and derailleurs now stop and
shift beautifully. You'll find triple cranksets with low gearing that makes
climbing easier and handlebar-mounted shift levers that allow shifting without
removing your hands from the bars.
And,
depending on which level tandem you're drawn to, you may find clipless pedals,
which make mounts and dismounts easier than a twofer equipped with toe clips and
straps.
Now that you know a little more
about tandems, visit our store and see some in person. Check out our different
models, compare sizes and get an idea, which suits you best. If you're so
inclined, we'll be happy to arrange a test ride or, if you're new to tandemming,
teach you how to ride one. You'll love
it!
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