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Sociables

Old 10-09-19, 11:16 AM
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Sociables

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A tandem is defined as "a bicycle with seats and pedals for two riders, one behind the other." I have several multi-rider bikes, but by that definition not all are tandems. Anyone else ride a sociable?
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1980 Yellow Buddy Bike Sociable

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Old 10-09-19, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by DC Bike Blogger
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A tandem is defined as "a bicycle with seats and pedals for two riders, one behind the other." I have several multi-rider bikes, but by that definition not all are tandems. Anyone else ride a sociable?
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Most tandem definitions say two or more riders. I've seen lots of triple tandems, but trying to imagine how a triple version of a sociable like yours would work.........
Also wondering how possible it is to ride your double as a single?
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Old 10-09-19, 08:27 PM
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In most contexts it’d be “twin” or “double”
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Old 10-10-19, 05:32 AM
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By definition, tandem is for two, otherwise it becomes “triplet” for three, “quadruplet,” etc.
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Old 10-10-19, 05:56 AM
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Google the term "sociable bike" and you will get over 14 million results. And while it can be referred to differently, the term sociable has been around since the 1800's. According to Wikipedia, "The sociable or buddy bike or side by side bicycle is a bicycle that supports two riders who sit next to one another, in contrast to a tandem bicycle, where the riders sit fore and aft. The name "sociable" alludes to the relative ease with which the two cyclists can speak with each other, unlike on the tandem." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociable)

A sociable can be ridden by just one person. However, I have not yet mastered that. There are videos, however, on YouTube showing it being done by people with more skill and a better sense of balance than I possess.

And calling my Co-motion PeriScope Trident Convertible bike for three people a "triple tandem" sounds the same to me as saying a woman gave birth to three twins. I have most commonly heard to it being called a "triplet," including by the manufacturer. I have never heard of or seen a two-wheeled sociable for three people.

But in my opinion it doesn't really matter what people call them. What matters is how much fun I have riding them.
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Old 10-10-19, 06:02 AM
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First one I've ever seen. I'd think there would be a bit of learning curve in riding that.
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Old 10-10-19, 07:02 AM
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I think I recognize those tires - Innova Swifter?
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Old 10-10-19, 06:38 PM
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Wikipedia describes tandem well: "The tandem bicycle or twin is a form of bicycle (occasionally a tricycle) designed to be ridden by more than one person. The term tandem refers to the seating arrangement (fore to aft, not side by side), not the number of riders. .............................. As with bicycles for single riders, there are many variations that have been developed over the years."
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Old 10-18-19, 07:15 PM
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I think the problem is that "triplet" or "triplet bicycle" just doesn't convey much meaning to most people, so the "tandem" gets on there to mean "multi-person" and the "triple" is there to say how many.
The most common side-by-side arrangement I've seen in Craigslist is the Worksman trike.

One of the definitions of "tandem" I find is "a group of two or more arranged one behind the other or used or acting in conjunction", so the usage is not altogether wrong. I see some similar usage in "triple tandem" trucks, describing a truck pulling three trailers.
I think the Worksman side-by-side trikes frequently show up as "tandems" in Craigslist, for lack of a better term. Heck, a lot of people don't even know what a tandem bike is in the first place. On Worksman's website, they say, "Unlike conventional tandems..yada, yada, sales pitch...It takes a TEAM to ride a TANDEM."
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Old 10-20-19, 02:09 PM
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Sociables have always seemed like more of a novelty than anything that was ever ridden very far. That arrangement starts to make a little more sense with trikes.
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Old 10-20-19, 04:08 PM
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Here is one for sale on kijiji in Ontario, Canada
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