Questions tagged [tandems]
Any bicycle with more than one person simultaneously providing power. Includes trandems and other unusual variants.
66
questions
8
votes
5
answers
796
views
Tandem for limited space?
I really enjoy cycling, but haven't been doing much lately. My wife also enjoys cycling, but had a bad crash a couple years ago on her fast road bike and now will only ride her old (really slow) ...
10
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Independent drivetrains on tandem bicycle
On a standard tandem frame, is it possible to build a tandem bicycle with independent drivetrains for the two riders? Is there a custom frame builder that would build a tandem like this?
I'm aware of ...
6
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How old is this rear steer skip tooth tandem?
How old is this Tandem
Rear Steer
Skip tooth
??
10
votes
2
answers
934
views
Please help identify my 1940's (?) Tandem Bicycle
Please help me identify this tandem bicycle. Here's what I know:
I'm pretty sure it's not a Schwinn, as all Schwinn bikes had straight frames without curves.
From what I can tell, Hawthorne used ...
8
votes
4
answers
677
views
How can I stop the stoker's toeclips hitting the road when soloing a tandem?
My daughter and I ride a tandem, and she really finds her toeclips beneficial (without straps, a.k.a. half clips) as they stop her feet bouncing off the pedals over bumps or sliding forwards.
However ...
4
votes
2
answers
621
views
Can anyone identify this elderly tandem from the badge (pictured)
This is a tandem which I bought at least 20 years ago and it was far from new then. I have absolutely no idea who made it. This badge looks a bit like a bird or perhaps a dragon?
17
votes
3
answers
1k
views
tandem and stoker with autism
I am thinking of buying a tandem for my special needs adolescent son to encourage more purposeful movement and purposeful movement stamina. He can easily ride a bike and biking has become quite ...
1
vote
2
answers
72
views
Tandem creaking when captain pedals hard
I'm used to single rider bikes, but new to tandems. We have a specific creak that I (as captain) can also feel through the pedals. It's on every strong stroke of the captain's pedals, left or right, ...
4
votes
1
answer
176
views
Tandem bipod stand
We recently got a Simmonsohn Trohnheim tandem bike. I want to add a bipod kickstand to it, but I am unsure where it must go: the front or rear crank hub?
Also, can anyone recommend sturdy bipod ...
5
votes
0
answers
97
views
Tube terminology for tandems
The names of the tubes are well established for standard single-rider diamond frames, but seemingly less so for tandems.
For tandems, there's a bit more variety in frame design, but the one I've just ...
7
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Tandem drum (drag) brake levers and ergonomics - typical setup/options
How are the levers for 3rd brakes on tandems usually set up?
These tend to be additional rear brakes used to keep the speed down when descending, rather than the main stopping devices, and can ...
4
votes
1
answer
368
views
How to use the 3rd brake on a tandem?
I found myself looking at tandems today and was surprised to find one with 3 brakes.
A bit of further research found that a 3rd brake can be used as a drag brake on steep descents - especially when ...
3
votes
2
answers
449
views
Loosening up an over-tightened seatpost clamp
I recently purchased a used tandem.
The stoker's seatpost is 27.2 mm diameter, and I'm not having any trouble with that.
The captain's seatpost is a weird suspension seatpost that is less than 27.2 mm,...
27
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Why are tandem pedals mounted with the same position?
I have noticed that on all the tandems I have seen the pedals are mounted in the same position. i.e. while the front right one is up, so is the rear right one, and not front right up and rear right ...
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Help please to identify my Tandem
I have just purchased an old tandem, but don't know the make or year.
Can anyone help me to identify it.
The frame is steel and it has a frame number of 452599.
There are no decals fitted but I attach ...
3
votes
2
answers
516
views
How can I replace an oversized Chater-Lea bottom bracket with cotterless cranks?
I'm building a tandem at the moment. The frame appears to be threaded for a 1.45" Chater Lea bottom bracket.
I'd like to fit a modern bottom bracket. Any ideas? Here's my ideas so far:
...
4
votes
1
answer
99
views
Help Identifying this Tandem? Sun Tourer
I recently purchased a tandem bike frame on a whim, and am having some trouble identify the bike and manufacturer. If anyone is able to help with this, even help identifying the manufacturer would be ...
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Footrests for stoker
I have a Schauff Pittsburgh 2002 26" tandem which has the standard tandem drive train setup (timing chain on the left) and Shimano Deore components with 3x8 gearing.
The tandem has become my ...
6
votes
2
answers
641
views
Freewheel replacement for a touring tandem bike
I have an older touring tandem bike that we use to go on long trips. The gear setup is 3x7. I noticed that we hardly ever use the smallest 3 cogs on the freewheel (of course together with the largest ...
6
votes
1
answer
556
views
I want a bolt on crank, but dunno what terminology to use to find one
I want to place a crank on a bike at a different location than the one the bike is originally located.
This is similar to what i want to do, this is an addon crank for a smaller person to pedal with a ...
6
votes
1
answer
609
views
Tandem drivetrain--right side front drive
From what I am reading, there are 3 attested tandem drivetrains:
1) crossover drive, with timing chain on the left, and main crankset and drive chain on the rear right. This seems to be most common.
...
-1
votes
3
answers
369
views
Sidecar / pillion adaptable for standard push bike
I'm looking for an add-on sidecar / pillion to add on to an existing bike.
This is so that I can transport someone around who doesn't want to walk too far as well as helping me keep fit.
Reseach
...
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Converting tandem to cargo bike
I live in South America where we don't have substantial supply of modern two-wheeled cargobikes in the market at reasonable prices, so I think converting a tandem bike by dismounting the stoker seat ...
2
votes
1
answer
248
views
Is a 650B wheel good enough for a tandem?
I'm restoring/updating an 1970 Fresh Tandem that has a 26" wheel (700D x 1.40) and I'm thinking about swapping the wheel set with something a little more modern and accessible like a 27.5" 650B ...
3
votes
1
answer
632
views
How to mount clipless pedals on a tandem?
My wife and I have recently purchased a vintage tandem, and are willing to switch to Shimano SPD pedals (M520).
The problem is that there are 3 "chainring" sides on a tandem, 2 of which are located ...
18
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Do both riders on a tandem need to know how to ride a bike?
I want to take a visiting friend out on a bike ride.
Since this friend never learned how to ride a bike, I was thinking that a tandem might be a viable solution in the short term, instead of ...
4
votes
2
answers
920
views
Baby seat for stoker's seat post on tandem
My wife and I used to both commute by bike, and now that our child is old enough to go on a bike, we'd like to do so again. She has already installed a front-mounted baby seat on her dutch-style bike, ...
10
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Can I carry my tandem on a bumper carrier?
I would sometimes like to transport my tandem by car, and it would be convenient to use one of those "strap-on" bumper carriers. Is it feasible to use this type of carrier?
8
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Looking for bike trailer with pedals for a disabled, older adult
Is there a way to have a pull-along bike trailer w/pedals (similar to the child sized trailer in the pic above) -- but sized for a disabled adult?
1
vote
2
answers
348
views
Any chance of identifying this tandem. (S/N T9012 737) Could be other numbers under cable guide. Manufactured around 1990 I think
Need to identify this tandem likely manufactured around 1990. S/N T9012 737. Could be additional numbers under the cable guide.
[
6
votes
2
answers
205
views
Play in headset with no upper bearings on a tandem bicycle
I have a half recumbent tandem bicycle. The front fork headset (under the front cyclist) is loose: I can feel some play when I put the front brake on and try to move the bicycle front and back. I ...
4
votes
2
answers
532
views
Road tyres vs "Street" tyres for charity ride on MTB Tandem
Variation on a question that's been asked a few times.
For reasons, we have signed up to do a charity ride of ~80 miles on our super-cheap Viking Saratoga tandem. I've already made a few upgrades, ...
11
votes
4
answers
777
views
What is the common "vocabulary" for the captain and stoker to communicate?
My wife and I recently rented a tandem for a day. I found that, because everything needs to be communicated -- starting, stopping, changes in cadence, shifting (which might cause changes in cadence), ...
1
vote
1
answer
318
views
Incompatible front derailleur/crankset?
I recently bought a Tandem from the 90's and now trying to adjust the derailleurs. But, no matter what I do, I don't manage to properly set up the 3-way front derailleur. It either
properly shifts ...
3
votes
2
answers
687
views
Rear-steer tandem with middle child saddle
I saw a bike for hire in France, and I'd like to track down more details on it or something similar. Unfortunately the hire logos covered the manufacturer logos and the bike was locked up to others (...
3
votes
1
answer
674
views
Adult tandem trike conversion
I'd like to take my old tandem and make it a trike with dally tires and rims on the rear. Has anyone done it. Thanks
0
votes
1
answer
471
views
Help identifying tandem frame [duplicate]
I bought this frame in a state off eBay a fair few years ago and have recently got it working again.
I would love to know what make or year it might be. There aren't that many his / her frames I've ...
6
votes
2
answers
829
views
Fork Failure on Vintage Steel Tandem Bikes - Any insights?
I'm wondering if you guys can share any knowledge regarding fork failure on old steel tandem bikes.
I just bought a 1988 Santana Elan tandem. It's in beautiful condition. I contacted Santana to ask ...
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
A two successive wheel trailer ; would it work? (followme-tandem)
TL;DR Why does the followme-tandem have the kids front wheel off the ground?
I'm looking into the followme-tandem, which attaches a child's bicyle to the back of an adult's bike to make a trailer-...
3
votes
3
answers
803
views
Cranksets for tandem with internal gear hub
I am thinking about assembling a trekking tandem bike. I would like to use an internal gear hub and put both chains on the right side of the bike. I have some questions about the cranksets:
What ...
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Who's the manufacturer and what year was this tandem bike manufactured? [duplicate]
The previous owner said this could possibly be a Schwinn:
2
votes
1
answer
364
views
Updating brakes on a vintage tandem
I have a 25 year old Colnago road tandem on which I would like to update the brakes.
The problem I am having is that they are 27" rims and I can't find a proper brake setup that will work.
What ...
2
votes
2
answers
799
views
1970 Schwinn Tandem - How to move rear seat further away from handlebars
I scored a cool sierra brown, 1970 Schwinn Tandem 5 speed bike on craigslist (one owner even). I grew up in the 70s and loved the look of this bike, but I guess I had to turn 45 before I got one.
So ...
2
votes
1
answer
217
views
Help Identify North Woods "6 Speed" Tandem?
I came across a North Woods "6 Speed" tandem at a yard sale, and am trying to track down its provenance:
Unfortunately, the closest I've come across is Northwoods bicycles (no space), which are sold ...
3
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How tight should the tandem front chain be?
I have a Thorn Me'n'u2 triplet (three seater tandem), and was having a problem where whenever I tried to accelerate suddenly (either solo or with stoker(s)), the front chain seemed to fall off (...
6
votes
1
answer
675
views
timing chain keeps dropping/derailing only with partner
For a volunteer project biking with blind riders (NiewidomiNatandemach.pl), we've been partnered up and provided a tandem bike, that seems new enough and in good condition.
Unlike the guy behind me--...
7
votes
4
answers
549
views
Help needed identifying mystery screws on 1940s tandem
My tandem has two small screws above each bottom bracket, one on each side (so four in total). I've not seen them on any other bike, and I can't figure out what they're for! Suggestions so far have ...
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Axle adjustment in Atom drum brake?
I have a tandem with a drag brake in the hub of the back wheel. It works perfectly, providing a steady drag when descending.
QUESTION: Can I simply treat it like a normal rear wheel with cups/cones, ...
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What's this? Photo of bicycle with pedals by the rear wheel
I just stumbled upon this photo of what appears to be a reasonably normal citybike, except it looks like it has a second set of pedals at the rear wheel.
source
Anybody knows what it is?
32
votes
6
answers
17k
views
Is it difficult for one person to ride a tandem bike?
About 4 miles away from me, there is a bike hire shop that has tandems. I'm trying to work out the logistics of getting the tandem to my house to pick up the other rider.
I'm an experienced cyclist, ...