Which Tandem Sizes ?

[DJR]

I would like to start my sons riding on the road and perhaps do an event like the Argus with them when they turn 12. They are 10 and 11 years old and 1,45m and 1,49m tall. They currently ride 24 inch MTBs and are comfortable with quite strenious 25 to 30 km rides. I reckon they can already ride a small frame 26 inch MTB comfortably but the 24 inch bikes still work fine. I ride a large frame road and MTB. What stoker/captain combination should I get? Large/Small, or could a Large/Medium work? The larger a stoker size I can get away with, the longer it will fit as they grow. All advice will be appreciated.

[The Saint]

Road Tandems to the best of my knowledge only come in two sizes Large / Small and Extra Large / Medium so the former would apply to your boys with the heavier of the two being the pilot.

 

Putting the lighter guy on the front makes turning more difficult as well as the descents can become a bit nervy when fatso on the back starts to twitch and move around. I have this problem as my stoker is 10kg's heavier than me but he is a bit blind so having him on the back is the right thing to do

 

I do think that at their height you are going to struggle to get them to fit properly onto a large frame size. On a large frame you are looking at about 56cm Top tube center to center.

 

Maybe also give this article a read it might help you out a bit

 

http://www.tandemcycleworks.com/faq.htm

 

Hope this helps

[Guest Big H]

Road Tandems to the best of my knowledge only come in two sizes Large / Small and Extra Large / Medium so the former would apply to your boys with the heavier of the two being the pilot.

 

Putting the lighter guy on the front makes turning more difficult as well as the descents can become a bit nervy when fatso on the back starts to twitch and move around. I have this problem as my stoker is 10kg's heavier than me but he is a bit blind so having him on the back is the right thing to do

 

I do think that at their height you are going to struggle to get them to fit properly onto a large frame size. On a large frame you are looking at about 56cm Top tube center to center.

 

Maybe also give this article a read it might help you out a bit

 

http://www.tandemcycleworks.com/faq.htm

 

Hope this helps

 

 

Make sure about the age restriction at ARGUS.... If they do not fit there are kits available to make the rear BB higher as well as adjustable crank arms.

 

Go and look here....

 

http://sheldonbrown.com/tandkids.html

[DJR]

Thanks for the advice, both links were most informative. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a good deal on a Large/Small tandem, hopefully on the Hub.