Carbon fork for tandem?

[Neg]

what would be the best carbon fork to use on a tandem that can take disk breaks?

[Big H*]

A few pointers:-

 

Get a reputable brand as faulures has been recorded

You will most likely have to import as I have never seen a local Road Tandem that are disk specific (Cannondale did have a model with disks but they were mostly converted back to Cable brakes)

You will have to install cable actuated disks as STi type gear/brake levers are cable specific

Disks on a Tandem is an overkill. normal V-brake with pulley boosters are sufficient

[jmaccelari]

You will most likely have to import as I have never seen a local Road Tandem that are disk specific (Cannondale did have a model with disks but they were mostly converted back to Cable brakes)

I can't comment on this too authoritatively, but I must admit that from what I have seen

in the racing tandems at the races, not one has downgraded from disk to V brakes. In fact, several

have upgraded from V brakes to disks.

You will have to install cable actuated disks as STi type gear/brake levers are cable specific

Again, not too much experience here, but I see the new cyclocross bikes are coming out

with STI cable to hydraulic convertors. They look a little clumsy at the moment, but I am

sure they will improve given a season or two...

Disks on a Tandem is an overkill. normal V-brake with pulley boosters are sufficient

This is gross generalisation. Disks on a tandem have the same advantages (and disadvantages) as on

an mountain bike. So they are better when wet, they are less subject to fade and stop a bike (in

this case a tandem) better.

 

As a male tandem, we weigh about 180kgs fully loaded. We (unfortunately) ride V brakes.

 

As the pilot, I have cr@pped myself on several occasions where our brakes were wet or faded and

we have little or no braking. It's been a miracle we have not had a major incident - that and the fact

that having survived the first incident, I have learned not to assume I have any brakes under these

conditions.

 

The last time was going down the valley of 1000 hills in the Shova with both brake levers pulled

hard against the handlebars and it was not slowing us down. We had just enough braking in the

wet to stop us from accelerating, but no more.

 

We have not upgraded to discs (yet!) due to to budgetary constraints, but I can tell you that as soon

as we have the cash (or buy a new tandem) disks will be on top of the list.

 

If disks gave no advantage, why are they standard issue on MTBs and now cyclocross?

[Flippa]

A 26 inch rigid mtb fork ( suspension corrected for 100mm) will fit a 700c wheel. I know at least 1 tandem that runs a set with disc brakes with some success.