Tandem - Are exersion levels different

[I FLY]

for the pilot and stoker?

 

Yesterday was the first time my stoker and I have recorded a tandem race on our polars.

 

The results are what I expected as I had previously read that the pilot does more work - braking, holding the line, changing gears, initial closing of gaps, etc.

 

The readings on the polars showed that I had an average HR of 10bpm higher than my stoker and in some parts of the race my HR was 25bpm higher.

 

Last week we did a 200km audax on singles and our stats were almost identical. 

 

Any opinions from the experienced tandem riders?

I FLY2008-01-27 23:05:36

[lowracer]

the captain will have a significant higher HR than the stoker if the stoker complains her footrests are moving.

 

My tandem is a hansom with mixte rear. it flexes enough so that I was not able to change gears the first 5 km when i tried it out, as I was being scared to crash it.

 

but in general, especially on the straight and level, I think you work a lot harder than on your own, because you cannot just slack down. Hills you work

 

 

[Guest Big H]

Yes your stats will be different because most stokers are lazy and like to cheat!!!!!!!!!!!!!........... as long as your cadence does not differ!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mdk555]

The stoker is supposed to be stronger one with the pilot doing what they do best. The pilot does take some initial extra strain when seeing a gap open and then pedals harder with the stoker following once they realise that a bit more effort is required. The pilot is also the first to ease off when the gap is closed. Same to can be said for climbing hills/mountains. My (me pilot) HR is generally the fisrt to climb but my boet follows suit very soon but most time we seem to be on par the ride.