To Tandem or not to Tandem

[I FLY]

would you guys go road bike tandem, or mountain bike tandem ?

 

I have only done road tandem but my wife has done many mtb races ( including Sabie Experience) as a stoker.

 

Our plan is to get a 29er dual suspension mtb tandem as it can be used on road as well.

[Zeffer]

My wife never cycled, then we bought a tandem and we do at least one big race a year, Kremetart, Argus, Satellite. It is good fun way of getting a non-cyclist to join and get the feel and the vibe. We enjoy every moment of preparation and planning and the afterparty!!!

 

There is just something about a tandem!

 

And rocking up at the Argus in the tandem group surrounded by a 100 tandems a mindblowing experience!

 

Borrow one and give it a shot. Wayne, I stay in the East of Pta, give me a shout!

[2 X 2]

Just be warned, that once the gogga has bitten you, you will never want to ride a single bike again. I havent done a road race on the single bike for the past 5 years, only tandem

[Slowbee]

I have only done road tandem but my wife has done many mtb races ( including Sabie Experience) as a stoker.

 

Our plan is to get a 29er dual suspension mtb tandem as it can be used on road as well.

 

This is what I was thinking. Get a mtn tandem that can take slicks for the road races. We bought R2000 hansom tandem and the wife loves it - but also wants to ride on district roads and the odd organised race ride.

 

Actually she scared the whatnots outofme when she said she would like to do Sani2C with me in 2016

[DJR]

This is what I was thinking. Get a mtn tandem that can take slicks for the road races. We bought R2000 hansom tandem and the wife loves it - but also wants to ride on district roads and the odd organised race ride.

 

Actually she scared the whatnots outofme when she said she would like to do Sani2C with me in 2016

 

We met a couple riding a great dual suspension tandem in Sani last year. They still seemed OK after day 1, but I hate to think what they must have gone through on day 2. I'm not sure I want to ride down into the Umkumaas in the mud on a tandem. And I definitely KNOW I don't want to ride (and carry/walk) a tandem out the other side.

 

I would recommend starting with a road tandem unless you both are really good technical mtbikers. Then I suppose jumping in the deep end is OK.

[WayneO]

My wife never cycled, then we bought a tandem and we do at least one big race a year, Kremetart, Argus, Satellite. It is good fun way of getting a non-cyclist to join and get the feel and the vibe. We enjoy every moment of preparation and planning and the afterparty!!!

 

There is just something about a tandem!

 

And rocking up at the Argus in the tandem group surrounded by a 100 tandems a mindblowing experience!

 

Borrow one and give it a shot. Wayne, I stay in the East of Pta, give me a shout!

Thanks a mil, I may just do that.

[WayneO]

Thanks for all the insight guys

[Annemi van Jaarsveld]

Also rode tandem many years ago and loved it! Looking to make someone an offer on a 2004 Cannondale road tandem. What would be a fair price?

[DJR]

Also rode tandem many years ago and loved it! Looking to make someone an offer on a 2004 Cannondale road tandem. What would be a fair price?

This is just my 2cs worth:

 

Between R20 000 - 30 000 depending on the level of components and wheels. Shimano Ultegra/Dura Ace level closer to R30 000. Shimano 105 level closer to R20 000.

 

Worn chainrings, cassette and chains also make a difference because replacing components can be costly. Wheels must be good or it should bring the price down.  Check frame meticulously (centimetre by centimetre, in good light, turn upside down also) for signs of cracks, if you find anything suspicious, walk away because it cannot be repaired. Cannondale tandems are good and solid but you want to make sure. They will give a lifetime of riding and most tandems don't see lots of miles, so don't let the fact that it is 10 years old put you off. Rather look at the general condition. Has it been well cared for? Dings, scratches and dirt means it has not.

 

Negotiate/haggle like a flea market trader!

[SAGecko]

we still have plans to buy a dual suspension 29er mtb tandem.

 

No, no, no, no, no, no.

 

Just no.

[2 X 2]

This is just my 2cs worth:

 

Between R20 000 - 30 000 depending on the level of components and wheels. Shimano Ultegra/Dura Ace level closer to R30 000. Shimano 105 level closer to R20 000.

 

Worn chainrings, cassette and chains also make a difference because replacing components can be costly. Wheels must be good or it should bring the price down.  Check frame meticulously (centimetre by centimetre, in good light, turn upside down also) for signs of cracks, if you find anything suspicious, walk away because it cannot be repaired. Cannondale tandems are good and solid but you want to make sure. They will give a lifetime of riding and most tandems don't see lots of miles, so don't let the fact that it is 10 years old put you off. Rather look at the general condition. Has it been well cared for? Dings, scratches and dirt means it has not.

 

Negotiate/haggle like a flea market trader!

 

 

You can buy an almost new Canondale tandem for between R20 000 and R30 000.  i won't pay more than R15 000 for a 2004 model and then it must be in excellent condition with good Tandem wheels.

[Annemi van Jaarsveld]

This is just my 2cs worth:

 

Between R20 000 - 30 000 depending on the level of components and wheels. Shimano Ultegra/Dura Ace level closer to R30 000. Shimano 105 level closer to R20 000.

 

Worn chainrings, cassette and chains also make a difference because replacing components can be costly. Wheels must be good or it should bring the price down.  Check frame meticulously (centimetre by centimetre, in good light, turn upside down also) for signs of cracks, if you find anything suspicious, walk away because it cannot be repaired. Cannondale tandems are good and solid but you want to make sure. They will give a lifetime of riding and most tandems don't see lots of miles, so don't let the fact that it is 10 years old put you off. Rather look at the general condition. Has it been well cared for? Dings, scratches and dirt means it has not.

 

Negotiate/haggle like a flea market trader!

 

Thanks a million, am buying my own bike off my ex husband so think i will offer him R5000

[Ramrod]

Thanks a million, am buying my own bike off my ex husband so think i will offer him R5000

screw that tell him you are taking it!

[DoubleDee]

I have done the Argus a couple of times on a tandem with my daughters! It was a really special bonding time, my relationship with my daughters just got so much better! I am doing the Argus with my son who is 1,82 m tall and much heavier than my daughters so that is going to be a challenge! You work much harder on a tandem and it forces you to sit more. It handles very differently to a single bike, so do some short exploratory rides on a bortowed bike to see if it is for you before buying one! All in all a great experience for parent and child, not sure about spouses on a tandem, maybe something to try in the future?

[GLuvsMtb]

just a question to other tandem riders:

Don't you get seriously p!ssed off with any of the following remarks while on your tandem:

- "I wish I had a second pair of legs!"

It's harder than what it looks to try and co-ordinate 2 people's rhythm, cadence and effort, particularly going up. There is no weight saving and you need to move double the wheelbase of a normal bike around.  

 

- "The oke / chick on the back is not pedalling"

Get real! Do you think that I would not notice it when my stoker is slacking off? She works damn hard and deserves a bit of encouragement, not some lame comment about her work ethic

 

- "There is plenty of space on the left to pass" 
To change direction on a tandem involves much more than just putting out your left arm and changing lanes. The pilot first have to communicate his intended change to the stoker who is in charge of signalling. You don't want the pilot taking his hands off the bars at 85km / h. It is far easier for the pilot to shout "keep left please", so bare with us, particularly if you are doing 40km/h down blue route while we are doing 60 to 85

 

- "Hold your line!" 

My line differs from yours when I need to take a high speed 90 degree turn. I start wide, and I cut in early, and I end wide. Think of a big bus or truck compared to a car and allow some space. I am trying to hit the corner at the same speed as you, to minimise the risk of a crash, so please give us a bit of room when we turn like that. 

 

- "They said get on and ride further, what are you waiting for?" 

Like many we had to walk over the finish line yesterday, but unlike you getting back on our bike is like a take-off procedure. First the Pilot gets on (he needs to swing his leg over the stoker's handle bars), then the stoker gets on, then the pilot moves the right pedal in the 2 o clock position, both clip in their right feet and on a count of 3 you take off. If the pilot is experienced, the bike would at least be in the correct gear to take off. It takes a bit longer to get going, so just hang in there. There will be coke, powerade and medals left when you get to the end of the line. 

[davem]

Don't get pissed off. They are just jealous of the fun you are having. When you coming past them uphill, they must be quite lonely and suffering.

 

Doing Argus this year including cycling to Hout Bay and back through the traffic, we did more stops and starts in two days than in the whole year we have had the tandem. Made a huge difference to our confidence.

 

We rode in the charity group for the Sunflower Fund so had to restrain the speed due to the congestion. Particularly at the back, understanding of keeping clear of our bus is limited.

 

 

 

 

just a question to other tandem riders:

Don't you get seriously p!ssed off with any of the following remarks while on your tandem:

- "I wish I had a second pair of legs!"

It's harder than what it looks to try and co-ordinate 2 people's rhythm, cadence and effort, particularly going up. There is no weight saving and you need to move double the wheelbase of a normal bike around.  

 

- "The oke / chick on the back is not pedalling"

Get real! Do you think that I would not notice it when my stoker is slacking off? She works damn hard and deserves a bit of encouragement, not some lame comment about her work ethic

 

- "There is plenty of space on the left to pass" 
To change direction on a tandem involves much more than just putting out your left arm and changing lanes. The pilot first have to communicate his intended change to the stoker who is in charge of signalling. You don't want the pilot taking his hands off the bars at 85km / h. It is far easier for the pilot to shout "keep left please", so bare with us, particularly if you are doing 40km/h down blue route while we are doing 60 to 85

 

- "Hold your line!" 

My line differs from yours when I need to take a high speed 90 degree turn. I start wide, and I cut in early, and I end wide. Think of a big bus or truck compared to a car and allow some space. I am trying to hit the corner at the same speed as you, to minimise the risk of a crash, so please give us a bit of room when we turn like that. 

 

- "They said get on and ride further, what are you waiting for?" 

Like many we had to walk over the finish line yesterday, but unlike you getting back on our bike is like a take-off procedure. First the Pilot gets on (he needs to swing his leg over the stoker's handle bars), then the stoker gets on, then the pilot moves the right pedal in the 2 o clock position, both clip in their right feet and on a count of 3 you take off. If the pilot is experienced, the bike would at least be in the correct gear to take off. It takes a bit longer to get going, so just hang in there. There will be coke, powerade and medals left when you get to the end of the line.