Help ID old tandem
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Help ID old tandem
Hi I hope it's ok to post this. My sister has picked up and is storing for me an old tandem. I only have one photo of it, and she's not in a position to take anymore currently, and I can't go pick it up yet. So I am trying to do some detective work to learn more about it while I wait.
I have had very little luck finding tandems online with the Mixte stiffener. The only information I have on the bike itself is that it was brought over from England some time ago, so possibly an English or Euro-built frame.
Also the way the top tube is stepped rather than sloping from the captain to the stoker must be a good identifier to someone who knows what they're looking at. I'm just aiming to have a little more knowledge on what I've gotten myself into project-wise (first tandem).
Thanks, apologies if this isn't the place.
I have had very little luck finding tandems online with the Mixte stiffener. The only information I have on the bike itself is that it was brought over from England some time ago, so possibly an English or Euro-built frame.
Also the way the top tube is stepped rather than sloping from the captain to the stoker must be a good identifier to someone who knows what they're looking at. I'm just aiming to have a little more knowledge on what I've gotten myself into project-wise (first tandem).
Thanks, apologies if this isn't the place.
#2
Senior Member
It looks a lot like a Pogliaghi tandem
Hi I hope it's ok to post this. My sister has picked up and is storing for me an old tandem. I only have one photo of it, and she's not in a position to take anymore currently, and I can't go pick it up yet. So I am trying to do some detective work to learn more about it while I wait.
I have had very little luck finding tandems online with the Mixte stiffener. The only information I have on the bike itself is that it was brought over from England some time ago, so possibly an English or Euro-built frame.
Also the way the top tube is stepped rather than sloping from the captain to the stoker must be a good identifier to someone who knows what they're looking at. I'm just aiming to have a little more knowledge on what I've gotten myself into project-wise (first tandem).
Thanks, apologies if this isn't the place.
I have had very little luck finding tandems online with the Mixte stiffener. The only information I have on the bike itself is that it was brought over from England some time ago, so possibly an English or Euro-built frame.
Also the way the top tube is stepped rather than sloping from the captain to the stoker must be a good identifier to someone who knows what they're looking at. I'm just aiming to have a little more knowledge on what I've gotten myself into project-wise (first tandem).
Thanks, apologies if this isn't the place.
#4
Senior Member
This is the Pogliaghi I mentioned in my earlier message. Like your frame, the split diagonals on my frame don't run from the joints, as they should to be most effective. However, the attachments at the head tubes are very different. Also, my frame has more brazed-on cable stops.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
This is the Pogliaghi I mentioned in my earlier message. Like your frame, the split diagonals on my frame don't run from the joints, as they should to be most effective. However, the attachments at the head tubes are very different. Also, my frame has more brazed-on cable stops.
I was looking at some other european builders and Gitane looked like they used Mixte tubes, but they seemed to do two pairs rather than one long run.
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Marin County, Alta California
Posts: 401
Bikes: Since new: 86 Rodriguez Tandem, wife's 87 Gitane Team Pro, 92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, 85 Fisher Comp, 88 Puch Pro, two 92 Bridgestone X0-1s; later: 66/67 Gitane Champion du Monde, 70 Gitane Super Corsa, 70 Carre, 87 Gitane Team Pro, 77/78 Ritchey Tandem
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in
170 Posts
Hi I hope it's ok to post this. My sister has picked up and is storing for me an old tandem. I only have one photo of it, and she's not in a position to take anymore currently, and I can't go pick it up yet. So I am trying to do some detective work to learn more about it while I wait.
I have had very little luck finding tandems online with the Mixte stiffener. The only information I have on the bike itself is that it was brought over from England some time ago, so possibly an English or Euro-built frame.
Also the way the top tube is stepped rather than sloping from the captain to the stoker must be a good identifier to someone who knows what they're looking at. I'm just aiming to have a little more knowledge on what I've gotten myself into project-wise (first tandem).
Thanks, apologies if this isn't the place.
I have had very little luck finding tandems online with the Mixte stiffener. The only information I have on the bike itself is that it was brought over from England some time ago, so possibly an English or Euro-built frame.
Also the way the top tube is stepped rather than sloping from the captain to the stoker must be a good identifier to someone who knows what they're looking at. I'm just aiming to have a little more knowledge on what I've gotten myself into project-wise (first tandem).
Thanks, apologies if this isn't the place.
[img]blob:https://www.bikeforums.net/f8ee62be-21ef-4dae-aa11-e1fc5ef03f8e[/img]
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#8
Senior Member
Our Bob Jackson had that step but the split diagonals ran from the top of the head tube to the rear dropout rather than from the middle of the head tube to part way up the chain stays.
This photo was taken a long time ago (May of 1976) in Tuscany.
This photo was taken a long time ago (May of 1976) in Tuscany.
#10
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Marin County, Alta California
Posts: 401
Bikes: Since new: 86 Rodriguez Tandem, wife's 87 Gitane Team Pro, 92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, 85 Fisher Comp, 88 Puch Pro, two 92 Bridgestone X0-1s; later: 66/67 Gitane Champion du Monde, 70 Gitane Super Corsa, 70 Carre, 87 Gitane Team Pro, 77/78 Ritchey Tandem
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A quick Google of Bob Jackson tandems and you will find images of tandems with a single set of twin laterals like your old one as well as two sets of twin laterals like the frame in question.
#11
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#12
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Marin County, Alta California
Posts: 401
Bikes: Since new: 86 Rodriguez Tandem, wife's 87 Gitane Team Pro, 92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, 85 Fisher Comp, 88 Puch Pro, two 92 Bridgestone X0-1s; later: 66/67 Gitane Champion du Monde, 70 Gitane Super Corsa, 70 Carre, 87 Gitane Team Pro, 77/78 Ritchey Tandem
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My apologies....as my reply indicates, I thought you were referring to the single set of long twin laterals like your early B. Jackson running from head tube to rear dropouts as opposed to two sets of twin laterals (like our Ritcheys), one from head tube to rear bottom bracket, the other from captains seatpost to rear dropouts....I'm following you now, again, my apologies. Interestingly, none of the frames you posted have the single pair of twin laterals running from head tube to rear dropouts like your B. Jackson (the general line followed by what would be called a "Marathon" frame if it were one large tube as opposed to twin smaller tubes). As you know Pogs have very distinctive lugs at head tube, in particular the center lug that adjoins the twin laterals to the head tube. This mystery bike doesn't appear to have that distinctive wrap around lug seen on Pogs...I'm still leaning towards English.
#13
Senior Member
My apologies....as my reply indicates, I thought you were referring to the single set of long twin laterals like your early B. Jackson running from head tube to rear dropouts as opposed to two sets of twin laterals (like our Ritcheys), one from head tube to rear bottom bracket, the other from captains seatpost to rear dropouts....I'm following you now, again, my apologies. Interestingly, none of the frames you posted have the single pair of twin laterals running from head tube to rear dropouts like your B. Jackson (the general line followed by what would be called a "Marathon" frame if it were one large tube as opposed to twin smaller tubes). As you know Pogs have very distinctive lugs at head tube, in particular the center lug that adjoins the twin laterals to the head tube. This mystery bike doesn't appear to have that distinctive wrap around lug seen on Pogs...I'm still leaning towards English.
My bet is that the mystery bike is French. Gitane, Peugot and Follis all made tandems, with a variety of configurations, back in the 70s and 80s. My guess is that the mystery bike is a repainted tandem from one of those manufacturers. That rear derailleur looks like an old Huret long-arm derailleur from that era.
Last edited by MikeAndJean; 08-04-20 at 11:05 AM.
#14
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Marin County, Alta California
Posts: 401
Bikes: Since new: 86 Rodriguez Tandem, wife's 87 Gitane Team Pro, 92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, 85 Fisher Comp, 88 Puch Pro, two 92 Bridgestone X0-1s; later: 66/67 Gitane Champion du Monde, 70 Gitane Super Corsa, 70 Carre, 87 Gitane Team Pro, 77/78 Ritchey Tandem
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Until I followed your sensible suggestion and searched for "Bob Jackson tandems" I had not realized how unusual our old tandem was with its single set of diagonals. It was much stiffer than the older Gitane it replaced. That Gitane would flex a lot when we stood. We called it our "articulating frame." The Bob Jackson was a big improvement but only lasted a few years until the forks broke at the dropout (I mean actually broke). An extra set of diagonals would have made that bike stiffer but it would have done nothing for those inadequate fork blades.
My bet is that the mystery bike is French. Gitane, Peugot and Follis all made tandems, with a variety of configurations, back in the 70s and 80s. My guess is that the mystery bike is a repainted tandem from one of those manufacturers. That rear derailleur looks like an old Huret long-arm derailleur from that era.
My bet is that the mystery bike is French. Gitane, Peugot and Follis all made tandems, with a variety of configurations, back in the 70s and 80s. My guess is that the mystery bike is a repainted tandem from one of those manufacturers. That rear derailleur looks like an old Huret long-arm derailleur from that era.
Many years ago I rode a lovely Gitane tandem, not an intro model but higher end with 531 tubing, double mens with one set of twin laterals running from head tube to rear hub. I have a weak spot for French bikes and tried to buy it but guy wouldn't even consider it (I wouldn't have either).
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Your suggestions are all great and it's been fun trying to sleuth through the image search results. I found another one to look at, Orbit. They made/make tandems and some pictures of some of their older ones look very similar, even where the split brace joins on above the rear dropout. It should be easy for my sister to confirm, they all seem to have orbit stamped into the seat stay caps. I'm having trouble uploading and sharing images for some reason right now.
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I received a few more pictures. Nothing on the seat-stay caps, head badge is missing so still hard to identify. Cranks look like stronglight, stem and bars ambrosio, some shimano stuff on there, it's got all sorts of bits
#19
Senior Member
I have resurrected bikes in far worse condition than yours. The expensive tandem-specific parts (i.e., the crankset and the frame itself) look to be intact. Everything else is easy to replace. Used but usable bike parts from the 70s and 80s are cheap and easy to come by. The result will be what I call a "Frankencycle" because it will have been resurrected from the parts of old discarded bikes. The Pogliaghi I showed in earlier postings is an example. After buying the frame on eBay for $350, I assembled the rest of the bike from old parts and a few cheap purchases (the careful eye will note the mismatched crankset). However, I would not recommend trying to make your tandem into a modern bike by adding index shifters, disk brakes, and all of the other improvements you will want some day. That can get very expensive. Put this bike together quickly and decide if you and your partner like tandem riding. The investment required for a modern tandem is easier to accept once you understand how much fun you will have riding together.
#20
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Marin County, Alta California
Posts: 401
Bikes: Since new: 86 Rodriguez Tandem, wife's 87 Gitane Team Pro, 92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, 85 Fisher Comp, 88 Puch Pro, two 92 Bridgestone X0-1s; later: 66/67 Gitane Champion du Monde, 70 Gitane Super Corsa, 70 Carre, 87 Gitane Team Pro, 77/78 Ritchey Tandem
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Unique lugs at head tube, can't place but looks like a Nervex fork crown...Stronglight cranks...maybe French (Mike you had suggested French)??? Not a Follis; however, as they have dual plate crowns (like Ritchey came to build on early Mtn Bikes)....not Gitane, nor do I think Motobecane. Before you start buying parts, check your threads!
Last edited by Markeologist; 08-10-20 at 01:05 PM. Reason: typo
#21
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks both of you for the helpful replies. My plans are to pretty much take it all apart, clean/grease everything, and only replace what's necessary. So I'll keep the bar-end shifters etc. I hope the wheels are ok, spokes look a little corroded but hard to tell without a close inspection. I don't know if they are 27 inch or 700 either. New saddles, bar tap, cables and housing, chains etc. Hopefully chainrings are ok as I imagine old stronglight ones could be hard to find.
Good call on checking the threads, I'm hoping the BB's will come out ok and be fine with a clean and re-grease.
I'm still combing the internet looking at tandem headtubes trying to find one with rivet holes the same distance apart as the ones in the photo.
Good call on checking the threads, I'm hoping the BB's will come out ok and be fine with a clean and re-grease.
I'm still combing the internet looking at tandem headtubes trying to find one with rivet holes the same distance apart as the ones in the photo.
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Well it's been ages but I finally got it home and started the tear-down. Most of the parts will be a bit of a red herring with regards to ID I think, as there is a bit of everything;
Stronglight cranksets and bb, English threaded.
Miche pedals
Ambrosio bars and stems
Shimano front derailleur
Suntour rear derailleur
Seatposts are Strong, 26.4mm
Brakes Shimano STX cantis, with Weinmann levers
Suntour shifters.
The wheels are going to be a problem I think, one has a 27inch rim and the other is a 700c. Replacing them I think would be expensive and from what I have seen online you can't just chuck a normal road wheel on. They look like they have a lot of surface corrosion and I worry they won't take our weight, plus the mismatched size is a bit annoying.
Anyway, I have removed everything from the frame. Going to get threads chased, and a new headset as the old one literally fell out. Almost like the wrong size was fitted. I checked with a spare one I have and it would have to be pressed in so I don't know what happened there.
Here are some photos of the lugs etc on the frame. Looks like there is routing for a rear drum brake too although I forgot to get a photo. No serial that I can find. Should be a fun project, and I still plan on the goal of getting it going cheaply to see if we like it, and if we do spending a bit more on it, if not selling it.
Stronglight cranksets and bb, English threaded.
Miche pedals
Ambrosio bars and stems
Shimano front derailleur
Suntour rear derailleur
Seatposts are Strong, 26.4mm
Brakes Shimano STX cantis, with Weinmann levers
Suntour shifters.
The wheels are going to be a problem I think, one has a 27inch rim and the other is a 700c. Replacing them I think would be expensive and from what I have seen online you can't just chuck a normal road wheel on. They look like they have a lot of surface corrosion and I worry they won't take our weight, plus the mismatched size is a bit annoying.
Anyway, I have removed everything from the frame. Going to get threads chased, and a new headset as the old one literally fell out. Almost like the wrong size was fitted. I checked with a spare one I have and it would have to be pressed in so I don't know what happened there.
Here are some photos of the lugs etc on the frame. Looks like there is routing for a rear drum brake too although I forgot to get a photo. No serial that I can find. Should be a fun project, and I still plan on the goal of getting it going cheaply to see if we like it, and if we do spending a bit more on it, if not selling it.