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Naomi  The Biking Life

 by: Naomi Bloom  6/1/2002

Captain Jim's Tandem Shopping Guide

It's no secret that I'm a dedicated tandem rider. A big reason is my captain, Jim Chaskin. Not just a pretty face at the front, as a resident "guru" at The Bicycle Outfitter, he's also one of Northern California's most knowledgeable tandem specialists.

Recently I sat Jim down for an "interview" about what any shopper should know before buying a tandem.

Before you even start, he says, mull over these two issues:

  1. Is tandeming for you?
    The Bicycle Outfitter (like many other shops) makes it easy to get a taste of tandeming by offering rentals. If your first try isn't exactly a smashing success, you can rent another to see if you like it better. And at the same time get started on your learning curve.
  2. What do you want to do with the bike?
    Ride centuries? Explore unpaved roads? Do loaded touring? Travel overseas? Your answers will help determine what material your tandem will be made of, what wheels you should get, and ultimately how much money you'll spend.

So where do you start looking? Jim (admittedly with some prejudice) recommends a reputable shop that has years of experience with tandems. These experts can offer you a selection of bikes to try, teach you riding techniques and assemble and maintain your bike properly -- all of which can help avoid a lot of headaches down the road.

Makes and models

Of the dozens of tandems on the market today, Jim thinks the most highly of these:
  • Burley makes a couple of high-quality steel tandems for around $3,000, "an extremely good value," he thinks. And they're introducing three new aluminum models this season.
  • Santana tandems come in aluminum, steel and titanium.
  • Co-Motion tandems are all steel but stay tuned -- they're working on a new addition to the line.
  • Calfee tandems come only in carbon fiber, for the lightest weight available.
  • And Trek's aluminum tandem is "a very slick bike for $3,000" with the new Bontrager aerodynamic tandem wheels.

These are all road tandems, with 700C wheels. If you: a) want to explore unpaved territory, b) need a lower stand-over height, or c) prefer beefier support for loaded touring, look at the mountain tandems with 26-inch wheels. The Co-Motion Mocha and Santana Cilantro and Fusion models are aluminum 26"-wheel bikes with "mountain bike configuration" (i.e., flat handlebars).

Getting the right size(s)

Jim is convinced that "95% of the people we deal with can fit a stock size." If you and your tandem partner are on opposite ends of the height spectrum, you can get custom sizing, but you'll pay dearly for it.

Santana designs its smaller sizes with generous standover height for both captain and stoker. Co-Motion offers a standard large/small size configuration.

Keep in mind that it's not critical for the stoker to be able to stand over the top tube. She (or he) can just mount up and stay clipped in at stops. No worry about a too-long reach, either; the stoker cockpit (the area between the saddle and the bars) is typically short. And can be shortened even more with an adjustable stem-handlebar system.

Saddles and other comforts

You're probably going to have to try a lot of different saddles. After suffering through more than one tryout, we finally settled on the Serfas Cosmos (for Jim) and the Curva (for me). Your mileage may vary. Just keep trying and be patient.

As for other comforts, "a happy stoker is essential to having fun on a tandem," says Jim. Choose from a choice of stoker handlebar designs, ranging from flat, mountain-bike-type bars to single bike-type drop bars. In between, there's the popular "stoker bar" that looks like an upside-down cruiser-bike bar but allows a variety of hand positions.

A suspension-driven shock seatpost can mean the difference between a beaten-up rear end and just a little bump now and then. Too bad some tandem sizes won't accommodate a shock post due to the limited length of their rear seat tubes.

The third brake

Jim's advice is terse and to the point: Get one! Begging the question: Disk brake or drum brake?

While disks are increasing in popularity, "what's presently available for road bikes is not a reassuring option for a tandem," he says. The biggest problem is with the hydraulic system, which can't pump enough fluid to prevent overheating, making cable-to-brake operation downright scary. Besides, he says, "disk brake adjustment can be a bear."

There's still hope for the future with new mechanical disks. "The Bicycle Outfitter is eagerly awaiting a new disk brake from Avid," Jim reports. But until it proves reliable, he'd rather stick with the drum brake that controls our downhill speed. Our drum brake not only works reliably, it also gives us a parking brake at rest stops! Oh, and the drum brake's pads, Jim claims, last virtually forever.

Wheels and tires

A reliable tandem should sport 40-spoke wheels. If you're planning to do loaded touring or the two of you constitute a heavy load (say, over 350 pounds), upgrade to 48. But if you're never going to load up the bike and want to go as far and as fast as possible, you can probably get away with 36 spokes. The Bontrager tandem wheels Trek just introduced this year offer the lightest ride with 24 spokes and aero rims. But, Jim continually stresses, do not ever put a heavy load on these babies.

As for tires, we love our Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy tires for their beefiness and efficient checkerboard tread. They corner beautifully on our CoPilot, which loves to dive into curves.

S and S machine coupling Slicing your tandem in two and coupling it together with S and S's beautifully engineered fixtures won't affect bike performance. Yet it lets you travel with your tandem in one or (preferably) two suitcases instead of a huge box. The suitcases check through as regular luggage, with no extra charge. Unlike many other "bells and whistles" you can add to your tandem, S and S couplers are surprisingly affordable if you order them as original equipment.

How to test ride a tandem

At The Bicycle Outfitter, your first tandem ride is as a stoker, even if you'll never climb on the back of the bike again. Your captain is an experienced staff member who will take each of you for a separate spin. This "tutorial" introduces you both to handling, comfort and communication issues.

Then you get to go out on your own. Pay attention to the handling, comfort, and fit in this highly subjective process.

Buying a used tandem

Suppose you find a "previously owned" bargain on the Web or in your club newsletter. Before committing to a used tandem, have it checked by a qualified mechanic with tandem experience.

If the components are pre-1990, you may need to trade up. For instance, most tandems built earlier had 27-inch wheels; today you'll be hard pressed to find tires and tubes. An older drive train may not be compatible with eight- or nine-speed freewheel cassettes, but it's nearly impossible to find six- or seven-speed replacements. Your "bargain" could end up being a lot more expensive once you've shelled out for new parts.

Let's talk price

"Don't compromise quality or utility over concern for price," cautions Jim. Shying away from a relatively small increase in cost could end up being an expensive mistake.

Expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 minimum to get the basics you'll reasonably need, including the third brake and those all-important comforts.

Price is no object, you say? You want the best bike money can buy? Going for broke could cost as much as $12,000 for all options, including exotic materials, aero wheels, a high-end drive train, etc., etc., etc.

Just don't discount the power of a pleasing color to swing your decision. Case in point: I'd been reluctant to get a new tandem (I liked our old custom Red Lyon once I got a shock seatpost). When Jim brought the Co-Pilot home unexpectedly, my immediate reaction was: "Oh, my God; it's champagne beige!" Tandem sold.

Naomi can be reached at naomibloom@earthlink.net



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