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To tandem or not to tandem

leilaphoenix
leilaphoenix Posts: 839 Member
edited December 26 in Social Groups
Hi everyone,

I'm a regular cyclist and commute daily on my Ridgeback Speed (hybrid) and occasionally go on bigger adventures (~50miles of a day). My lovely other half sometimes comes with me and we enjoy cycling together.

I am considering the option of tandem cycling. I was wondering if people had experiences to share? Can you really go on a big trip of ~50miles on these things? What are the good and bad things about riding tandem? Is it possible to climb hills on them?

What makes/models would you recommend?

Replies

  • Speedtrap
    Speedtrap Posts: 216
    The best advice ever given to me when I was looking at one was "Sleep Tandem, Ride Solo"
  • phil85207
    phil85207 Posts: 20
    My experience was not so good, however I do know a few that seen to be doing OK with it. The stoker ( usually the female) in the back has no control and can be somewhat disconcerting at times. On all my "tour de _____ (whatever name) I have always seen a few tandems. I would say that the vast majority trying out a tandem do not stay with it. My suggestion would be to rent one and try it out for a few rides before investing in one. Good luck and stay safe.
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    The best advice ever given to me when I was looking at one was "Sleep Tandem, Ride Solo"

    True...at least for me. Some people LOVE riding tandems, as captain or stoker. I don't. I might like riding captain, but I'm the shorty. Part of it is fit. My DH is nearly a foot taller than I am, so when I'm on the back of our tandem my nose is right at his waist level. I have NO view. The rear cockpit is really short, too and I end up having to bend my neck back uncomfortably. We have a Co-Motion...Torpedo, I think...? It has the periscope rear-seatpost, since we really bought the tandem so that we could ride with our kid (dad and son on tandem, me on solo). In hindsight we wish we'd spent more for the longer rear cockpit. I am not tall, but I'm relatively long torso-d and like to be fairly aggressively positioned.
  • TRHuston
    TRHuston Posts: 69 Member
    I agree that you should take a test drive before you buy the thing. My husband talked me into getting a custom Co-Motion. He has ridden them before, I had not. My biggest opposition to stoking was the lack of control. He calls me a backseat driver and I smack his butt if he takes corners too fast, etc. I love and hate our tandem. We took it on quite the first big trip; 100 mile gravel race. We bought it with the intention of touring with it, and have yet to do that. Granted, it's not even been 6 months, but it's something that you have to have a lot of patience to have fun and enjoy yourself. Hope that helps. I would also recommend checking Craigslist, you can sometimes find good deals on there, or any shop that sells consignment bikes. For the most part, tandems will sit on their floor for a really long time and they will give you a nice price. Happy trails.
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