slaghuis

Please keep us posted. The Exocet did great this weekend. We had no break-down this time, but I am still scared every time I ride it. What-if it breaks again. I'd love to hear about the Duo.

Thank you Paul, Ill keep this one in mind. Off to the races this week-end (Dischem ride for sight) so Ill see how the old girl (that is the bicycle ) will perform with the brand new secondhand derailleur that Sepia organized me.

Johan, it is not the 3x that is the issue. The challenge is that a tandem has a 53/42/32 crank on. The size of the crank apparently is the issue. My bike had a Shimano FD-5503 on. This is an ancient model. The 5503 is a Shimano 105 (5) series 5 (5) 3x (03) FD, that was made for a 3x9 drivetrain. This was replaced by the 5603, which is a 3x10 speed rig. The current series is the 5803 (which is 10 speed for the 3x range and 11 speed for the double range). Apparently the 9, 10 and 11 speed components are not really compatible since the chain is narrower. You can still get a Shimano Sora front derailleur that has been built for a 3x9, but it does not work on the big crank. (Ask me, I have tried it. The derailleur itself is quite a bit shorter, and cannot reach the full vertical travel of the chain)

I got a Shimano FD-5603 from Sepia. Thank you kindly sir! Ill fit it this afternoon and take the bike for a spin this weekend.

I'd love it! I'm will send you a private message (if I can) A derailleur will get me back on the road again, and take the pressure off the procurement process

I bought an ancient Excocet tandem off Junkmail, and the wife and I are loving it! That is, apart from the fact that I have endless mechanical problems. The latest was a broken front derailleur. The bike shops tell me a Shimano 105 5503 Tripple Front Derailleur is vintage. (I found one on eBay, but its going to take forever from Poland). The alternative is to just end the misery and buy a new bike. I find the market split in two now. Matrix and Canondale both sell a bike for R44000 plus. The alternative is the recently introduced Raleigh Duo Tandem at R29800. (They are available as from about October 2016). Does anyone have any opinion on them? (Apart from the fact that you have to buy to through Makro? Under the Kids Section? Online? (No fitting or after sales service?) - Fortunately a couple of other guys also sell them.) I think they use the same Shimano 105 5700 3x10 drive train as the Canondale. I think Canondale has the Tiagra 4700 12-30 cassette, and the Raleigh has a 5700 series 12-25. Why should I pay R15000 more for the Canondale? Eric