Captain 6 feet, stoker 5 feet. Any hopes for a tandem?
12-04-18, 11:09 PM
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Captain 6 feet, stoker 5 feet. Any hopes for a tandem?
Not exactly sure this is the right spot, but my lovely companion has just said that she would be willing to buy a tandem for christmas! This is fantastic news, as I have been trying to get her on the road for years. She is ok with trail riding but scared of traffic on streets. I am thinking the best way to help her in this regard is to put her on the back of a tandem and let her get used to the one thing I love almost as much as her: road cycling.
I take a 54 or 56 cm frame, depending upon the neck and seatpost size (inseam 29 inches). She takes a much smaller frame--her road bike is a 35, with 650c wheels.
Am I on a Quixotic quest here to find a tandem that will fit us? Every tandem I have seen with a captain seat that fits, has a stoker frame size for someone 5'-6" or bigger.
Are we so mismatched that we will be unable to find a frame? Is this because it is impractical to build a frame for two people so mismatched in height?
I take a 54 or 56 cm frame, depending upon the neck and seatpost size (inseam 29 inches). She takes a much smaller frame--her road bike is a 35, with 650c wheels.
Am I on a Quixotic quest here to find a tandem that will fit us? Every tandem I have seen with a captain seat that fits, has a stoker frame size for someone 5'-6" or bigger.
Are we so mismatched that we will be unable to find a frame? Is this because it is impractical to build a frame for two people so mismatched in height?
12-05-18, 06:40 AM
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I presume you have a "normal" tandem in mind, and I'll leave that for others to address. But....
Are you aware of semi-recumbent tandems?
I have a Counterpoint Opus II from the 80's that I used for several bike tours with my kids when they were small, and many rides with my wife (who still is small). Bilenky, in Philadelphia, inherited the patents and designs from Counterpoint, and offers custom frames with this design, now called the "viewpoint."
Viewpoint Semi-Recumbent Tandem
A similar bike is the Hase Pino:
https://hasebikes.com/95-1-Tandem-PINO-ALLROUND.html
And there's also the Performer Family Tandem:
Discount Performer Family Tandem Recumbent Bike : LightfootCycles.com
Are you aware of semi-recumbent tandems?
I have a Counterpoint Opus II from the 80's that I used for several bike tours with my kids when they were small, and many rides with my wife (who still is small). Bilenky, in Philadelphia, inherited the patents and designs from Counterpoint, and offers custom frames with this design, now called the "viewpoint."
Viewpoint Semi-Recumbent Tandem
A similar bike is the Hase Pino:
https://hasebikes.com/95-1-Tandem-PINO-ALLROUND.html
And there's also the Performer Family Tandem:
Discount Performer Family Tandem Recumbent Bike : LightfootCycles.com
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12-05-18, 09:57 AM
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Back in 1984 the shop I worked at (Pedallers in Rochester, NY) had a customer who was a couple inches over 6' and sight challenged. He wanted to ride across the country (back when this was a rare feat). he convinced his sister to captain for him, she stood about 5'. Kuwahara made a custom tandem with a 19ish inch front with a 24ish rear. Strange but effective. My boss was also over 6' and I was the small guy there so I got to captain my boss for a mile or so on the test ride, best engine I've ever had
(only a few years prior he was NY state road champion).
It's far more important to have the captain's stand over right then that of the stoker. The captain steadies the bike as the stoker gets on (and sometimes climbs on), many teams find that the stoker will just stay seated at stops while the captain keeps the bike upright (what is sometimes called "The Proper Way" by tandemers). What is a point of design concern for the stoker is their reach and their bar width. Both of these factors are often played with to get all to fit in a "normal" dimensioned bike. Andy
(only a few years prior he was NY state road champion). It's far more important to have the captain's stand over right then that of the stoker. The captain steadies the bike as the stoker gets on (and sometimes climbs on), many teams find that the stoker will just stay seated at stops while the captain keeps the bike upright (what is sometimes called "The Proper Way" by tandemers). What is a point of design concern for the stoker is their reach and their bar width. Both of these factors are often played with to get all to fit in a "normal" dimensioned bike. Andy
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12-06-18, 02:21 PM
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This showed up at the Valet Bike Parking this summer.
CoMotion Tandem
It might be worth contacting the company and see if you can work something out. Made in Eugene, Oregon.
https://co-motion.com/
https://co-motion.com/bikes/bikes-grid-all-tandems
Bike Friday makes their Tandem Tuesday. By its design, it should be highly adjustable, and is also locally custom made here in Eugene. If you are up for a road trip, both Bike Friday and CoMotion are here. Where are you located?
Actually, maybe Bike Friday has renamed the tandem to "Family Tandem".
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-b...ems-are-family
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-b...em-travel-bike
You might also look at some of the vintage tandems. I have a Gitane frame with Mixte in the rear, horizontal bar in the front. I've heard they are a bit flexy, but it could be fun for casual rides.
I haven't done much with mine yet.
If you keep your eyes open, there should be a few around.
CoMotion Tandem
It might be worth contacting the company and see if you can work something out. Made in Eugene, Oregon.
https://co-motion.com/
https://co-motion.com/bikes/bikes-grid-all-tandems
Bike Friday makes their Tandem Tuesday. By its design, it should be highly adjustable, and is also locally custom made here in Eugene. If you are up for a road trip, both Bike Friday and CoMotion are here.
Where are you located?Actually, maybe Bike Friday has renamed the tandem to "Family Tandem".
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-b...ems-are-family
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-b...em-travel-bike
You might also look at some of the vintage tandems. I have a Gitane frame with Mixte in the rear, horizontal bar in the front. I've heard they are a bit flexy, but it could be fun for casual rides.
I haven't done much with mine yet.
If you keep your eyes open, there should be a few around.
12-06-18, 03:31 PM
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12-06-18, 03:53 PM
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Bilenky also makes one of those front recumbent tandems.
Viewpoint Semi-Recumbent Tandem
They also have some pretty unique designs.
As far as those recumbent in front tandems, I've heard many people absolutely love them. But, the control is also a bit different from other tandems. I'd encourage you to try to find one to rent somewhere, if you're looking to buy new.
The Eugene Bike Co-op has one they rent out (locally built). Perhaps you can find a store that carries similar bikes available for rent.
Viewpoint Semi-Recumbent Tandem
They also have some pretty unique designs.
As far as those recumbent in front tandems, I've heard many people absolutely love them. But, the control is also a bit different from other tandems. I'd encourage you to try to find one to rent somewhere, if you're looking to buy new.
The Eugene Bike Co-op has one they rent out (locally built). Perhaps you can find a store that carries similar bikes available for rent.
