cycling a triple tandem bike ?
 

is it hard to cycle a triple quad quint or hex tandem bike ?

It's a bit hard, but not very. The key is for all but the captain to forget they're on a bike once it's going. You also have to get used to the larger turning radius which makes steering sluggish. The slow steering response at low speed will make balance harder until you get up to speed, so practice in a parking lot until you get used to the handling.

Starting out from stop can be harder and may remind you of when you first learned how to ride a bike. Depending on the riders, it might help to have the middle rider hold the bike vertical while the others put their feet on both pedals and get it rolling.

oh thanks a lot that gives me an idea when I do get a triple by the way I have been cycling a tandem both as stoker and captain for the past 3 years any other tips you may have I would like to hear them.

Sure, it's harder than riding a single bike or a tandem, but totally manageable, especially if you already have tandem experience. They take longer to stop due to extra weight, and you do have to be more conscious of cutting turns tight, etc. I also find that my arms and shoulders get more tired compared with captaining the tandem, as I probably unconsciously grip the bars more tightly, as well as having to hold up the bike when the two stokers are clipped in.

We've been tripleting (is that a word? "tandeming" is, so I guess "tripleting" works too, right?) for 6-7 years on our Santana Cabrio, and have done several loaded tours with it, too. It's a lot of fun, and you will get a LOT of attention. People always closely observe us starting out, as I think they secretly want to see us crash. We sometimes feel like a rolling clown show :-)

For the captain, be sure he/she can easily straddle the bike. When the stokers are "loading," I firmly grip the handlebars and kind of spread my legs out in a bracing position while basically sitting on the top tube to steady the bike.

thank you so much those are some really good tips and ye am cycling a tandem for 3 years now and absolutely love it

Hello! Where did you get your Santana Cabrio? Did it get sourced from Europe, or did you get it here in the US?

You do realize it's been five years since this thread, right? I did check, the o.p. appears to still be an active BF user, but that isn't always the case after so much time.

I did realize that. Figured there was no harm in asking.

I got it as a from a bike shop in Oregon. Santana is based in California, why would I source it from Europe? :-)

It's on my to-do list to get it listed for sale as we haven't ridden it in a few years. If anyone is looking for one, message me privately. Located in Philly, Pa., area. 700c wheels, medium frame, with couplers (since it's a Cabrio).