Bike Friday tandem - any cons?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Bike Friday tandem - any cons?
I'm trying to convince my wife that we should buy a Bike Friday tandem now, while the NZ/US $ exchange rate is so favorable for us (even though we really won't need a second tandem for a couple of years). I'm sold and, despite trying, have had no bad comments about Bike Fridays. It seems that it will do everything we want; pack up for travelling, accommodate our children as they grow, allow me or my wife to captain, deal with the terrain that we want to ride on.
I think the only thing I have found that would be a con is the small wheels on trails, giving a bit of a rough ride (although our current tandem is aluminium and the BF steel will give a different ride feel anyway). Is there anything else I should be aware of with BF tandems? Also, does anyone have any practical experience with SRAM dual drive; it seems like a good solution, but what are the downsides?
Cheers
Ian
I think the only thing I have found that would be a con is the small wheels on trails, giving a bit of a rough ride (although our current tandem is aluminium and the BF steel will give a different ride feel anyway). Is there anything else I should be aware of with BF tandems? Also, does anyone have any practical experience with SRAM dual drive; it seems like a good solution, but what are the downsides?
Cheers
Ian
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times
in
14 Posts
A third brake may be necessary for some of the descents in parts of NZ depending on the heat load on the small wheels. Fatter tires will take care of riding on trails.
Wait a while as he US $ will be slipping some more this year . . .
Have ridden a few Fridays, although not extensively. Good value for the money and riding with family/kids.
Rudyand Kay/zonatandem
Wait a while as he US $ will be slipping some more this year . . .
Have ridden a few Fridays, although not extensively. Good value for the money and riding with family/kids.
Rudyand Kay/zonatandem
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Liked 645 Times
in
366 Posts
I've got some personal friends who have owned a variety of Bike Friday's single, tandem and triple. Generally speaking, I'd assume that as repeat buyers they have been satisfied overall.
A year or so ago, as their son was growing bigger and heavier, they bought a Santana Cabriolet. After using it for awhile their comment to me was "It's nice to have a bike that doesn't need to be fixed or worked on every time we ride."
A year or so ago, as their son was growing bigger and heavier, they bought a Santana Cabriolet. After using it for awhile their comment to me was "It's nice to have a bike that doesn't need to be fixed or worked on every time we ride."
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
A third brake may be necessary for some of the descents in parts of NZ depending on the heat load on the small wheels. Fatter tires will take care of riding on trails.
Wait a while as he US $ will be slipping some more this year . . .
Have ridden a few Fridays, although not extensively. Good value for the money and riding with family/kids.
Rudyand Kay/zonatandem
Wait a while as he US $ will be slipping some more this year . . .
Have ridden a few Fridays, although not extensively. Good value for the money and riding with family/kids.
Rudyand Kay/zonatandem
While I dream about the Santani Cabriolet, Retro Grouch mentions, the pricing is a bit steep for us. The BF does seem like good value for money.
Ian
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 563
Bikes: Trek T200 plus enough others to fill a large shed
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Google Rob English and email him. He has a nice website, a titanium Bike Friday tandem and works at Bike Friday as a product designer. He is a mine of useful information on bikes.
#6
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,475
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Liked 894 Times
in
458 Posts
we had a Bike Friday Tandem Traveler XL II. Overal, I would say were very satisfied. Used the bike for 8 years, and sold it for close to what we paid for it.
The big advantage is all the flexibility in sizing, and the ability to pack it for traveling.
Downsides; 1) we found it a bit flexible with 2 adult riders really getting after it,
2) it was a fair amount of work to break down and pack. At least as much, if not more than a conventional tandem with S&S couplers.
For the purposes you've identified I think it's a good choice. However realize there are some trade offs.
The big advantage is all the flexibility in sizing, and the ability to pack it for traveling.
Downsides; 1) we found it a bit flexible with 2 adult riders really getting after it,
2) it was a fair amount of work to break down and pack. At least as much, if not more than a conventional tandem with S&S couplers.
For the purposes you've identified I think it's a good choice. However realize there are some trade offs.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times
in
14 Posts
A Co-Motion Periscope may be another good option, with full size wheels, 700c or 26-inch.
A bit more pricey than the cheapest stock Friday; however, when you start adding options to a Friday, it can come up to the same price point very quickly
Have ridden several Pericsopes . . . very good/adaptable full size tandems.
Just our opinion/experience.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
A bit more pricey than the cheapest stock Friday; however, when you start adding options to a Friday, it can come up to the same price point very quickly
Have ridden several Pericsopes . . . very good/adaptable full size tandems.
Just our opinion/experience.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
#8
Cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
We're moving on/up to a Co-Motion Periscope triple this year (we never used the travel-ability of the BF), but will remember our Bike Friday fondly.
Regards,
Dave
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for all your comments.
The things that appealed to me were the flexibility in sizing. I would like for myself or my wife to be able to captain without too many changes (BF suggest a change in handlebar stem to change the reach). It's most likely that my son will be stoker, so we need to accommodate his growth. So, maybe we won't notice the flexibility mentioned with two adults riding.
The travelling option appeals. I've read elsewhere that the packing isn't trivial, but it's not intended to be a quick fold for the bus trip home.
Having priced a BF I still come up a good $1500 cheaper than the Periscope with all the options I would want, although the Periscope does look like a nice machine. It's interesting that the BFs have good reslae value too.
Cheers
Ian
The things that appealed to me were the flexibility in sizing. I would like for myself or my wife to be able to captain without too many changes (BF suggest a change in handlebar stem to change the reach). It's most likely that my son will be stoker, so we need to accommodate his growth. So, maybe we won't notice the flexibility mentioned with two adults riding.
The travelling option appeals. I've read elsewhere that the packing isn't trivial, but it's not intended to be a quick fold for the bus trip home.
Having priced a BF I still come up a good $1500 cheaper than the Periscope with all the options I would want, although the Periscope does look like a nice machine. It's interesting that the BFs have good reslae value too.
Cheers
Ian
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 274
Bikes: Bianchi xl boron, Trek WSD, Comotion Speedster, Giant TCR Advanced
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm trying to convince my wife that we should buy a Bike Friday tandem now, while the NZ/US $ exchange rate is so favorable for us (even though we really won't need a second tandem for a couple of years). I'm sold and, despite trying, have had no bad comments about Bike Fridays. It seems that it will do everything we want; pack up for travelling, accommodate our children as they grow, allow me or my wife to captain, deal with the terrain that we want to ride on.
I think the only thing I have found that would be a con is the small wheels on trails, giving a bit of a rough ride (although our current tandem is aluminium and the BF steel will give a different ride feel anyway). Is there anything else I should be aware of with BF tandems? Also, does anyone have any practical experience with SRAM dual drive; it seems like a good solution, but what are the downsides?
Cheers
Ian
I think the only thing I have found that would be a con is the small wheels on trails, giving a bit of a rough ride (although our current tandem is aluminium and the BF steel will give a different ride feel anyway). Is there anything else I should be aware of with BF tandems? Also, does anyone have any practical experience with SRAM dual drive; it seems like a good solution, but what are the downsides?
Cheers
Ian
Frank
#11
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,475
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Liked 894 Times
in
458 Posts
The legth of the frame will actually vary slightly each time you reassemble it. You can actually fine tune how the shifting hits by adjussting the frame. Bit of a learning curve.
#12
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 29
Bikes: Terry Isis
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My partner and I have ridden a Tandem Tuesday for about 10 years. It does take 1.5-2 hours to set up. We've had very few problems with gearing, or maintenance. We also often use the "quick-fold" option and can fit it into my Subaru legacy that way. It takes less than 5 minutes to make it into a pretzel.
We had suspension seatposts and wider tires put on for a trip over part of the Continental Divide trail. It did fine in sand and gravel.
We also have options to change out so either of us can captain.
We've taken the Tuesday via airplane from the Pacific Northwest to Cuba, Scotland, Ireland, France, Nova Scotia, Alaska, Arizona/New Mexico. In Cuba we used the quickfold, hitchhiked, and the Tuesday rode in a Russian dump truck, a Cuban cargo truck with pigs, a mail truck and a small car.
We've toured using the stackable trailer, and also using a BOB trailer, or panniers.
On one tour we crossed the Continental Divide 7 times, and our fastest speed on a descent has been 58 mph.
So far the Tuesday's worked for us!
We had suspension seatposts and wider tires put on for a trip over part of the Continental Divide trail. It did fine in sand and gravel.
We also have options to change out so either of us can captain.
We've taken the Tuesday via airplane from the Pacific Northwest to Cuba, Scotland, Ireland, France, Nova Scotia, Alaska, Arizona/New Mexico. In Cuba we used the quickfold, hitchhiked, and the Tuesday rode in a Russian dump truck, a Cuban cargo truck with pigs, a mail truck and a small car.
We've toured using the stackable trailer, and also using a BOB trailer, or panniers.
On one tour we crossed the Continental Divide 7 times, and our fastest speed on a descent has been 58 mph.
So far the Tuesday's worked for us!
#14
I had a Tandem Tuesday for about 5 years. It was a nice bike, especially for riding with a small kid. I rode it both with my son and my wife. I did think it slower than my '88 Santana Soverign. I did like the 3-speed rear hub. After my son got older, I sold the Tuesday and the Santana and bought a Calfee. One of my tests for buying the Calfee, was riding with the local club on the LBS's Calfee. There was a hill we would always get dropped on and could stay up with on the Calfee. I do think that it takes about the same amount of time to assemble the Tuesday when it is completely broken down for travel as an S&S coupled Tandem. Periscopes were not out when I bought the Tuesday. I would take a closer look at one of those now if I had small children.
#15
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi Ian
About the SRAM, I have had a Friday for about 8 years now, and it is equipped with a SRAM dual drive,
and I love it. No deraillers to deal with. The only con is two fold: first when you change the rear tire
be careful not to put any torque on the long screw in the dual drive. A torque on it will easily bend it,
and one such way is to have your chain on it as you take off the wheel. Make sure the chain clears
the screw before taking of the wheel. After bending and bending-back my screw with the first rear tire flat, I learned to take out the screw first, and then replace once the flat is repaired. Second item, for some reason my screw broke off at about the
end of the threads. Since the screw is long and the threads occupy about 1" at the end, it was impossible
for me to get out the broken threaded segment, I had to return the wheel to BF and let them do it. They were pretty quick on returning the wheel. And a third item, to anticipate you may bend the long dual drive screw
at some point, I would pick up a few of them from BF and carry in my bike bag. I do...I probably have 10,000 miles on my bike, and that has been the ONLY problem....
About the SRAM, I have had a Friday for about 8 years now, and it is equipped with a SRAM dual drive,
and I love it. No deraillers to deal with. The only con is two fold: first when you change the rear tire
be careful not to put any torque on the long screw in the dual drive. A torque on it will easily bend it,
and one such way is to have your chain on it as you take off the wheel. Make sure the chain clears
the screw before taking of the wheel. After bending and bending-back my screw with the first rear tire flat, I learned to take out the screw first, and then replace once the flat is repaired. Second item, for some reason my screw broke off at about the
end of the threads. Since the screw is long and the threads occupy about 1" at the end, it was impossible
for me to get out the broken threaded segment, I had to return the wheel to BF and let them do it. They were pretty quick on returning the wheel. And a third item, to anticipate you may bend the long dual drive screw
at some point, I would pick up a few of them from BF and carry in my bike bag. I do...I probably have 10,000 miles on my bike, and that has been the ONLY problem....
#16
Nigel
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
Hi Ian;
You may want to e-mail April: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=8905&v=G7
They have two on tour with thier two children.
You may want to e-mail April: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=8905&v=G7
They have two on tour with thier two children.
#17
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bike Friday tandem - updates? thoughts?
Hi Ian - I am ordering my twosday at the moment and I'm wondering if you find your twosday a reliable machine by chance? I have heard a few stories about how these tandems fail the owners and I would be very grateful for your thoughts on this tandem bike.
Thank you,
Mom
#18
Senior Member
I don't know if you realize it but the post you are responding to is ten years old. The timing is interesting because almost a month ago we bought a used Two'sday from a couple in Florida. I don't know how these bikes 'fail' other owners but what you should know is that there are two tandem models from Bike Friday. One both folds and splits in two for travel and the other only splits in two. Obviously the model that both folds and splits is much more expensive and perhaps somewhat more fragile, but the point is moot if you NEED a tandem that can fold in minutes to fit on mass transit vehicles as we do. If you merely need a tandem that allows a wide size range of users there are way cheaper alternatives. People take these bikes around the world without incident. If you take reasonable care in using them they should serve very well. The SRAM dualdrive hubs have not been made for years. If you buy a new Bike Friday it will not have a SRAM dualdrive hub.
#19
Junior Member
Sold our bikefriday tandem tuesday a couple years ago. Not due to reliability but because it didn't feel like riding our normal bikes.
It was really convenient to travel with. Folding and putting the bike in the travel bag was a cinch. It also had the trailer that carried the cases so we didn't need to worry about a place to put the boxes. We took it on trains, road trips and cruises, but as I said it didn't ride like our normal tandem. It always felt twitchy and flexed a noticeable amount when climbing.
We bought a coupled tandem to replace the bikefriday and it rides like we are accustomed to, however it is much more challenging to travel with. Packing and building takes hours. The boxes, while airline legal aren't convenient to store when traveling.
It was really convenient to travel with. Folding and putting the bike in the travel bag was a cinch. It also had the trailer that carried the cases so we didn't need to worry about a place to put the boxes. We took it on trains, road trips and cruises, but as I said it didn't ride like our normal tandem. It always felt twitchy and flexed a noticeable amount when climbing.
We bought a coupled tandem to replace the bikefriday and it rides like we are accustomed to, however it is much more challenging to travel with. Packing and building takes hours. The boxes, while airline legal aren't convenient to store when traveling.
#20
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a habit of letting messages go for years before responding. From one BK tandem owner to another, I am happy to say that the bike is everything we'd hoped for and more. We ride it almost everyday and couldn't be happier with it. In fact, we love it so much, we bought a use Bike Friday Family Tandem. Ride on!
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 81
Bikes: Too numerous to note
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a habit of letting messages go for years before responding. From one BK tandem owner to another, I am happy to say that the bike is everything we'd hoped for and more. We ride it almost everyday and couldn't be happier with it. In fact, we love it so much, we bought a use Bike Friday Family Tandem. Ride on!