Tandem Flatbar/SRAM Conversion Question
03-14-24, 11:43 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
Tandem Flatbar/SRAM Conversion Question
I have a Santana Tandem (2007 Ultegra 3x10 Group) and I'm converting it to flat (MTB) handlebars (I'm not as flexible as I was in 2007.....).
The brakes and rear shifter were easy (Paul Comp brake levers and a Shimano thumb trigger shifter).
The front shifter is the problem. For some reason I haven't figured out, the thumb trigger shifters for my triple crank doesn't work as the force required to shift is too high. I replaced the cables when I did the conversion, so I don't think it is friction.
Other than trying to adapt the Ultegra STI shifter, which would be quite a feat, I can only think of two options.
1. Thumb shifter for the front derailleur, which I really would like to avoid.
2. A SRAM wireless FD would seem to be likely to work.
So, my questions is whether SRAM makes or made a 3X wireless FD (I can't seem to find one), or am I stuck with a 2X FD?
Also, I really like the 52/42/30 triple crankset (we live in San Diego which is surprisingly hilly and we aren't spring chickens), so I'm wondering how folks feel about 2x vs. 3x cranksets.
Cheers, Mike
The brakes and rear shifter were easy (Paul Comp brake levers and a Shimano thumb trigger shifter).
The front shifter is the problem. For some reason I haven't figured out, the thumb trigger shifters for my triple crank doesn't work as the force required to shift is too high. I replaced the cables when I did the conversion, so I don't think it is friction.
Other than trying to adapt the Ultegra STI shifter, which would be quite a feat, I can only think of two options.
1. Thumb shifter for the front derailleur, which I really would like to avoid.
2. A SRAM wireless FD would seem to be likely to work.
So, my questions is whether SRAM makes or made a 3X wireless FD (I can't seem to find one), or am I stuck with a 2X FD?
Also, I really like the 52/42/30 triple crankset (we live in San Diego which is surprisingly hilly and we aren't spring chickens), so I'm wondering how folks feel about 2x vs. 3x cranksets.
Cheers, Mike
03-15-24, 05:53 AM
#2
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,332
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 886 Post(s)
Liked 998 Times
in
525 Posts
Look for some Shimano SL780R levers, they are ultrgra level road shifters for a flat bar setup.
There are also BL-780R brake levers.
There are also BL-780R brake levers.
__________________
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
03-15-24, 08:38 AM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
Thank you!
Cheers, Mike
Cheers, Mike
03-15-24, 09:06 AM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
I've looked around (eBay, Google, Amazon and a couple of my "go-to" vintage shops) and I can't seem to find one. Any hints?
03-17-24, 05:22 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,994
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2495 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times
in
523 Posts
Those levers don't look very vintage. I wouldn't look for them on Ebay, etc. I would see what Universal Cycles, Jenson USA, Modern Bike, etc. have in a matched set of 3F + 10R triggers. Ultegra level is unnecessary. Water under the bridge, maybe, but, did you investigate whether a simple steer tube extender could have solved the problem you had with the existing cockpit??
Last edited by Leisesturm; 03-22-24 at 11:08 AM.
03-17-24, 06:03 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
I've tried about everything, but the 1-1/4" steer tube on the Santana tandem makes it really hard to find stuff. Also, the fork is carbon and I'm not about to mess with that. I think the safest alternative is to have a custom steel fork made and use off the shelf stuff.
03-17-24, 10:58 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,994
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2495 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times
in
523 Posts
I've tried about everything, but the 1-1/4" steer tube on the Santana tandem makes it really hard to find stuff. Also, the fork is carbon and I'm not about to mess with that. I think the safest alternative is to have a custom steel fork made and use off the shelf stuff.
03-18-24, 02:29 AM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
Is the carbon fork original (from 2007)? Is 1-1/4" a Santana thing because afaik current (threadless) standard is 1-1/8". Before you go the route of a custom steel fork ... I mean, this problem must come up often and Santana may have steer tube extenders for their forks. I'd at least consult them first.
03-19-24, 07:45 AM
#9
Senior Member
A few thoughts based on owning many Santanas over the past 30 years (I currently own three):
1. As bwilli88 suggested, what you need is a Shimano "flat bar road front shifter," because Shimano's road front derailleurs use a different pull ratio than their MTB FDs. Hence, an MTB shifter (XT,etc.) will not work with a road FD. Since you are just using it for the FD, you can get the left shifter from either a 9 or 10 speed shifter set. I did this to swap my Santana Fusion touring tandem from Ultegra 3x9 STI shifters and drop bars to flat bars. Works perfectly. The 10-speed version is Tiagra SL-4703 (https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...php?id=76006); while usually sold as a set, my LBS was able to order me just the left shifter. (As an aside, bwilli88 are you sure those are SL-M780 shifters you have pictured? The M780s are black XT shifters and are MTB-only AFAIK - with the "M" designation; the ones you pictured look more like my Tiagra flat bar shifters).
2. Depending how much higher you need to get your bars up, you could keep your eyes open for a take-off Santana fork with a longer steerer tube, either steel or carbon. They come up now and again on eBay, etc., or check some of the tandem dealers that carry Santana, like Precision Tandems. You can also look for higher-rise stems, although choices are limited due to the 1-1/4" steerer (mostly just ones from Santana, although Giant CONTACT OD2 stems are also 1-1/4"). Tandems East does offer a "threadless stem converter"/riser to use 1-1/8' stems, although you'd have to check with them to see if they thinks it's ok to use with a carbon steerer tube (I wouldn't think so myself, but am not sure). See https://tandemseast.com/santana-parts-2/
3. If you are thinking of a new fork, consider going with a 1-1/8" tandem fork with headset reducers to get the steerer tube size down to 1-1/8". Tandems East offers a kit for this (see link above), including a carbon disc-capable fork (not cheap, but neither is a custom fork).
4. If you want lower gears you could change out your chainrings to something like 48-38-28 (or 26 or 24). I run that on all my Santanas with no issues, with the stock Ultegra FD.
5. If you are on Facebook, there's a Santana Owner's Group that you may want to join (I'm the admin) to access more Santana owners.
1. As bwilli88 suggested, what you need is a Shimano "flat bar road front shifter," because Shimano's road front derailleurs use a different pull ratio than their MTB FDs. Hence, an MTB shifter (XT,etc.) will not work with a road FD. Since you are just using it for the FD, you can get the left shifter from either a 9 or 10 speed shifter set. I did this to swap my Santana Fusion touring tandem from Ultegra 3x9 STI shifters and drop bars to flat bars. Works perfectly. The 10-speed version is Tiagra SL-4703 (https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...php?id=76006); while usually sold as a set, my LBS was able to order me just the left shifter. (As an aside, bwilli88 are you sure those are SL-M780 shifters you have pictured? The M780s are black XT shifters and are MTB-only AFAIK - with the "M" designation; the ones you pictured look more like my Tiagra flat bar shifters).
2. Depending how much higher you need to get your bars up, you could keep your eyes open for a take-off Santana fork with a longer steerer tube, either steel or carbon. They come up now and again on eBay, etc., or check some of the tandem dealers that carry Santana, like Precision Tandems. You can also look for higher-rise stems, although choices are limited due to the 1-1/4" steerer (mostly just ones from Santana, although Giant CONTACT OD2 stems are also 1-1/4"). Tandems East does offer a "threadless stem converter"/riser to use 1-1/8' stems, although you'd have to check with them to see if they thinks it's ok to use with a carbon steerer tube (I wouldn't think so myself, but am not sure). See https://tandemseast.com/santana-parts-2/
3. If you are thinking of a new fork, consider going with a 1-1/8" tandem fork with headset reducers to get the steerer tube size down to 1-1/8". Tandems East offers a kit for this (see link above), including a carbon disc-capable fork (not cheap, but neither is a custom fork).
4. If you want lower gears you could change out your chainrings to something like 48-38-28 (or 26 or 24). I run that on all my Santanas with no issues, with the stock Ultegra FD.
5. If you are on Facebook, there's a Santana Owner's Group that you may want to join (I'm the admin) to access more Santana owners.
Likes For Philly Tandem:
03-19-24, 03:27 PM
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
A few thoughts based on owning many Santanas over the past 30 years (I currently own three):
1. As bwilli88 suggested, what you need is a Shimano "flat bar road front shifter," because Shimano's road front derailleurs use a different pull ratio than their MTB FDs. Hence, an MTB shifter (XT,etc.) will not work with a road FD. Since you are just using it for the FD, you can get the left shifter from either a 9 or 10 speed shifter set. I did this to swap my Santana Fusion touring tandem from Ultegra 3x9 STI shifters and drop bars to flat bars. Works perfectly. The 10-speed version is Tiagra SL-4703 (https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...php?id=76006); while usually sold as a set, my LBS was able to order me just the left shifter. (As an aside, bwilli88 are you sure those are SL-M780 shifters you have pictured? The M780s are black XT shifters and are MTB-only AFAIK - with the "M" designation; the ones you pictured look more like my Tiagra flat bar shifters).
2. Depending how much higher you need to get your bars up, you could keep your eyes open for a take-off Santana fork with a longer steerer tube, either steel or carbon. They come up now and again on eBay, etc., or check some of the tandem dealers that carry Santana, like Precision Tandems. You can also look for higher-rise stems, although choices are limited due to the 1-1/4" steerer (mostly just ones from Santana, although Giant CONTACT OD2 stems are also 1-1/4"). Tandems East does offer a "threadless stem converter"/riser to use 1-1/8' stems, although you'd have to check with them to see if they thinks it's ok to use with a carbon steerer tube (I wouldn't think so myself, but am not sure). See https://tandemseast.com/santana-parts-2/
3. If you are thinking of a new fork, consider going with a 1-1/8" tandem fork with headset reducers to get the steerer tube size down to 1-1/8". Tandems East offers a kit for this (see link above), including a carbon disc-capable fork (not cheap, but neither is a custom fork).
4. If you want lower gears you could change out your chainrings to something like 48-38-28 (or 26 or 24). I run that on all my Santanas with no issues, with the stock Ultegra FD.
5. If you are on Facebook, there's a Santana Owner's Group that you may want to join (I'm the admin) to access more Santana owners.
1. As bwilli88 suggested, what you need is a Shimano "flat bar road front shifter," because Shimano's road front derailleurs use a different pull ratio than their MTB FDs. Hence, an MTB shifter (XT,etc.) will not work with a road FD. Since you are just using it for the FD, you can get the left shifter from either a 9 or 10 speed shifter set. I did this to swap my Santana Fusion touring tandem from Ultegra 3x9 STI shifters and drop bars to flat bars. Works perfectly. The 10-speed version is Tiagra SL-4703 (https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...php?id=76006); while usually sold as a set, my LBS was able to order me just the left shifter. (As an aside, bwilli88 are you sure those are SL-M780 shifters you have pictured? The M780s are black XT shifters and are MTB-only AFAIK - with the "M" designation; the ones you pictured look more like my Tiagra flat bar shifters).
2. Depending how much higher you need to get your bars up, you could keep your eyes open for a take-off Santana fork with a longer steerer tube, either steel or carbon. They come up now and again on eBay, etc., or check some of the tandem dealers that carry Santana, like Precision Tandems. You can also look for higher-rise stems, although choices are limited due to the 1-1/4" steerer (mostly just ones from Santana, although Giant CONTACT OD2 stems are also 1-1/4"). Tandems East does offer a "threadless stem converter"/riser to use 1-1/8' stems, although you'd have to check with them to see if they thinks it's ok to use with a carbon steerer tube (I wouldn't think so myself, but am not sure). See https://tandemseast.com/santana-parts-2/
3. If you are thinking of a new fork, consider going with a 1-1/8" tandem fork with headset reducers to get the steerer tube size down to 1-1/8". Tandems East offers a kit for this (see link above), including a carbon disc-capable fork (not cheap, but neither is a custom fork).
4. If you want lower gears you could change out your chainrings to something like 48-38-28 (or 26 or 24). I run that on all my Santanas with no issues, with the stock Ultegra FD.
5. If you are on Facebook, there's a Santana Owner's Group that you may want to join (I'm the admin) to access more Santana owners.
03-20-24, 02:10 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,236
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 435 Times
in
334 Posts
I have a Santana Tandem (2007 Ultegra 3x10 Group) and I'm converting it to flat (MTB) handlebars (I'm not as flexible as I was in 2007.....).
The brakes and rear shifter were easy (Paul Comp brake levers and a Shimano thumb trigger shifter).
The front shifter is the problem. For some reason I haven't figured out, the thumb trigger shifters for my triple crank doesn't work as the force required to shift is too high. I replaced the cables when I did the conversion, so I don't think it is friction.
Other than trying to adapt the Ultegra STI shifter, which would be quite a feat, I can only think of two options.
1. Thumb shifter for the front derailleur, which I really would like to avoid.
2. A SRAM wireless FD would seem to be likely to work.
The brakes and rear shifter were easy (Paul Comp brake levers and a Shimano thumb trigger shifter).
The front shifter is the problem. For some reason I haven't figured out, the thumb trigger shifters for my triple crank doesn't work as the force required to shift is too high. I replaced the cables when I did the conversion, so I don't think it is friction.
Other than trying to adapt the Ultegra STI shifter, which would be quite a feat, I can only think of two options.
1. Thumb shifter for the front derailleur, which I really would like to avoid.
2. A SRAM wireless FD would seem to be likely to work.
4. Figure out which Shiftmate will work.
03-20-24, 06:05 PM
#12
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,304
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
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 727 Times
in
372 Posts
Backing up a little, what are you trying to accomplish? It sounds like you want a more upright position. You can accomplish that much more easily with just changing your stem. There’s no reason that a drop bar bike needs to be less comfortable than one with flat bars, and if you’re riding more than an hour at a time you may well miss the ability to change hand positions.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-21-24, 05:19 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pioneer Valley
Posts: 1,008
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 332 Post(s)
Liked 742 Times
in
385 Posts
Backing up a little, what are you trying to accomplish? It sounds like you want a more upright position. You can accomplish that much more easily with just changing your stem. There’s no reason that a drop bar bike needs to be less comfortable than one with flat bars, and if you’re riding more than an hour at a time you may well miss the ability to change hand positions.
Stem availability is very limited due to the 31.8 mm steerer.
03-21-24, 07:32 AM
#14
Senior Member
03-21-24, 07:48 AM
#15
Senior Member
If you just want to get your bars higher, consider a "stem raiser." A bit clunky looking, but easy and cost effective. Precision Tandems has them at https://www.precisiontandems.com/catalogpartsweb.htm (not the easiest web page to navigate, click on "stems" in the left nav and then look for this on the page:STEM EXTENDERS STEM
-------
RISER STEM RAISER MOVES HANDLEBAR IN ANY DIRECTION FROM THE ORIGNAL POSITION Handlebar Riser -- works with 31.8 bar and Stem, black (not as pictured)
ASX-50 - 50mm Bridge, Permits a 2" arc of adjustment in any direction ASX50 $75.00
--------
-------
RISER STEM RAISER MOVES HANDLEBAR IN ANY DIRECTION FROM THE ORIGNAL POSITION Handlebar Riser -- works with 31.8 bar and Stem, black (not as pictured)
ASX-50 - 50mm Bridge, Permits a 2" arc of adjustment in any direction ASX50 $75.00
--------
03-22-24, 09:13 AM
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
03-22-24, 09:24 AM
#19
Senior Member
Correct. As already discussed, the correct and very easy fix is to get a Shimano flat bar road shifter and use it with a Shimano FD with the proper cage profile for the chainrings you want to run. I've done it on several tandems and single bikes and it works great.
Likes For Philly Tandem:
03-25-24, 06:14 AM
#20
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7349 Post(s)
Liked 2,474 Times
in
1,437 Posts
I renovated the drivetrain on my tandem. I replaced the rear hub, rear derailleur, cassette, and rear shifter, going from 7 speed to 11 speed. I had a triple chainring crankset. The Deore XT 11 speed shifter (made for flat bars) might be the best shifter of any type I've ever used because it's fast and accurate. I didn't change the front derailleur or shifter. It happened that the narrower chain fell between chainrings so I had to get a new rear crankset. I replaced only the right crank (and chainrings) and found one made for 10 speed. The left shifter is an old ratchet friction style, not indexed, and it works fine.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
03-25-24, 11:05 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pioneer Valley
Posts: 1,008
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 332 Post(s)
Liked 742 Times
in
385 Posts
Correct. As already discussed, the correct and very easy fix is to get a Shimano flat bar road shifter and use it with a Shimano FD with the proper cage profile for the chainrings you want to run. I've done it on several tandems and single bikes and it works great.
03-26-24, 01:56 AM
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
I renovated the drivetrain on my tandem. I replaced the rear hub, rear derailleur, cassette, and rear shifter, going from 7 speed to 11 speed. I had a triple chainring crankset. The Deore XT 11 speed shifter (made for flat bars) might be the best shifter of any type I've ever used because it's fast and accurate. I didn't change the front derailleur or shifter. It happened that the narrower chain fell between chainrings so I had to get a new rear crankset. I replaced only the right crank (and chainrings) and found one made for 10 speed. The left shifter is an old ratchet friction style, not indexed, and it works fine.
Last edited by PromptCritical; 03-26-24 at 02:04 AM.
03-26-24, 05:30 AM
#23
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7349 Post(s)
Liked 2,474 Times
in
1,437 Posts
A full album of pictures of the bike throughout its evolution is here.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
03-26-24, 07:56 AM
#24
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: San Diego
Posts: 126
Bikes: Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super, Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha, Trek Wahoo, Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
20 Posts
Not exactly, but the difference is not a hindrance at all. As you can see, the left shifter is in front of the mounting point and the right is behind its mounting point, because of the design differences.
A full album of pictures of the bike throughout its evolution is here.
A full album of pictures of the bike throughout its evolution is here.
03-28-24, 01:59 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,994
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2495 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times
in
523 Posts
I am glad the o.p. finally decided to ask about the ergonomics of replacing the front shifter independently. I for one simply would not be able to abide even the mild difference in dimensions/throw/etc. that might result from simply sourcing any 3x front trigger that might be available other than the one expressly designed to work with the rear shifter of my choice. But we are all losing sight of the prize because all this talk of trigger shifters implies a change of fork and much more and I am just not sure that this is the way to go. The o.p. talked about a custom (steel) fork which is still going to have to match the 1.25" construction of the present carbon fork. I can only imagine that that fork is going to cost more than the entire 2024 value of the present tandem. The exaggeration (if) is only slight. Someone on planet Earth is capable of fabricating a carbon stem raiser in a 1.25" inch format so the o.p. can use their existing controls. The cost should not exceed the contemplated mods. Finding that fabricator would be my priority. Or finding a good Physical Therapist as an alternative. There is also the option of sourcing a tandem already built with an elevated cockpit for the Captain. I've seen these at Tandem Rallies. They must wind up on the classifieds market with some frequency.