I wasn't praising my tandem (and TAL and studded tyres) facing the headwind on Corstorphine road this morning. HR = 160bpm speed = 8mph
Could have been worse, could have had 40kg of extra weight with limited leg power aboard...
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Why a tandem?
(62 posts)- Started 9 years ago by Stickman
- Latest reply from cb
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Posted 9 years ago #
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"where is is not realistic for the pilot & stoker to sync pedalling out-of-the-saddle".
Not in my experience, having done it often enough. I still recall a young couple honking fast up a very long hill at the Semaine Federale and passing literally dozens of solos. Though generally it is slower work uphill on a tandem if riding "normally".
Posted 9 years ago # -
In my one and only attempt, I found being stoker quite a scary experience (especially when your trouser leg gets caught in the chain and your initial girlish screams turn into actual ones and the pilot can't tell the difference). Talking to someone who only cycles as stoker with her husband, she said it was easier for her because she wasn't used to being 'in charge' on a bike (and was also used to riding pillon on his motorbike). She suggested a novice stoker try putting their hands on the pilot's hips instead of the handlebars so you get used to synchronising your movements (if you're not married to them you might want to warn them first ...)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Tandems are a great way of allowing riders of different abilities to ride together, and although they can test a relationship, they are also very sociable, and very efficient.
I think many people are put off because they don't try a tandem that has been set up for both perfectly. A little trip often will also make it easier for novices to get used to it and relax and enjoy it.
When both riders are relaxed and confident, they can then synchronise standing on the pedals to ascend.
Starting off uphill is a skill to practice especially if clipping in is required.
Tandems bring smiles to many onlookers, along with the inevitable cries that that one on the back isn't pushing.
Cheers
ColinPosted 9 years ago # -
I agree Colin. Most people give up too easily. Problem is that solo cycling is just too easy and the fact that tandeming does need to be adjusted to puts people off. The other factor is space and how 'useful' a tandem is.
Commercial bit of post
Well... just a 'heads up' to say that LB will have a second hand Alfine 8 Helios tandem shortly. Three years old but not trashed. Been in family use. So cheaper than a demo. Price-wise I can't say till I see at the shop but this might be good opportunity for someone wanting to discover how a compact multi-occupancy machine could 'fit into their life'. Sorry lapsed into ad-speak!Posted 9 years ago # -
Ahem. PM'd.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Tandem's are great for introducing novices to cycling.
My daughter's 8 year old friend had had stabilisers when she was younger but hadn't mastered a solo without them. We took her out with us for a 5 mile or so ride on the back of our helios, she came back, got her bike out of the garage, got on it and started cycling solo. Now she wants to go for lots of bike rides. I think the lack of stress of having to start off, brake, steer etc allowed her to enjoy herself and get the feel for balancing so she was more confident and better able to put the individual things together when she got on her own bike.
I like the helios for taking my daughter out on the roads and being able to describe what I'm doing and what I'm thinking with her. "I'm listening for engines starting and watching for lights coming on to show people might be going to pull out" for example when passing rows of parked cars. She's hopefully also just picking up road positioning etc just from being with me.
Posted 9 years ago # -
This Helios with Alfine 8 speed for sale. Price - a lot cheaper than new with the knowledge that local shops Bike Works and Cycle service will look after on our behalf.
You'll also help to expand the 'Helios owners club' - already quite large for a specialist bike type.This one has a Blackburn EX-2 rack with Co-pilot seat (if required). Crank shorteners. Kick stand. Shimano disc front. Mudguards. Alfine 8 speed with Rapidfire levers. Gearing lowered so hills are possible (same as SRD's).
Happy to do a short rent out for those that are wanting to dip their toe in the tandem water...
Circe Helios Alfine 8 by LaidBackBikes, on FlickrPosted 9 years ago # -
@LaidBack - Seriously tempted, I'm currently running a "normal" bike with a front and rear seat attached, (1 year old and 3 year old) but it's not very stable, and probably only has a short time until I really need to upgrade....
Posted 9 years ago # -
Go for it. Great bike.
Posted 9 years ago # -
There's a voice in my head telling me to snap it up as a cargo bike. Shut up, voice.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@chrisfl definitely at least go try it. Otherwise you'll end up trying to find a tagalong that you can use with a bike seat - not easy. My youngest has been stoking since he was 3.5, while the eldest started at 4.
@uberuce don't be silly - you need a boxbike
Posted 9 years ago # -
@Uberuce A sack in the child seat, a shop mannequinn in the stoker position wearing a backpack or sewing up the cuffs of a wetsuit and using it as a large stoker-shaped bag?
Posted 9 years ago # -
The ideal way to sneak in to multi-occupant bike lanes.
You know. If they were a thing.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I'd be tempted if I wasnt about to move house. It's probably at least a year until I'd have a stoker to.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@chrisfl - definitely don't go for the hire/test ride option with Mrs Chrisfl.
Mine declared that she "felt like a 16 year old again", which ended up in the purchase of said bike, the introduction to the joys of nice (i.e. small car expensive) bicycles, and the purchase of more, several cycle touring holidays, including a family epic expedition to Denmark, returning with a cargo bike...
No, definitely run whilst you've got the chance!
Alternatively, take the bike for a spin and see how you get on, before Uberuce does something silly - since he really needs a Brox...
Robert
Posted 9 years ago # -
But you can't take a Brox on a train...
Just did a tandem delivery to Hillfoot in Glasgow. That's another demo gone. We have an older demo in now!This lets you see how neatly the Helios can fit. Even the most unreasonable person couldn't complain, could they? Bars turn flat with QR in seconds. I even got it in the small lift on its back wheel at Waverley.
Helios tandem stowed on Scotrail by LaidBackBikes, on FlickrPosted 9 years ago # -
How does it look in one of the crappy little cupboards?
Posted 9 years ago # -
You mean on 158 units? Ah well.... haven't had it on one! Think SRD might have though.
Or do you mean the Voyager style of unit used by Cross Country / Virgin with 3 hanging spaces?
Imagine it would 'fit less well' (aka sticks out a bit!). Is around 2m. Front wheel is easy enough to take off though which could help to 'show willing'
Highland routes usually have Turbostar with a 158 tagged on which I avoid. Turbostar have longer area similar to above. All in all there is more chance with this than a Thorn tandem as that is practically 'too big' for anything except an HST.
The Helios looks small and that is less frightening to rail staff. Of course if it had panniers and child seat on then they would maybe have taken issue.
(Circe now do one with separable frame now but that's for their customers that want to put one in an Airnimal flight case. A bit extreme for taking on the commute).
Posted 9 years ago # -
Yeah the 158 units. Often in use on the Fife Circle and one bike just fills it up even though it's designated for two but with the wheelchair ramp stored there too it's just too small.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Some 158s have had their interiors updated and have a Turbostar-style rack for 2 (3 at a push) bikes. As usual you have to fight luggage and prams for the space, and if there's a wheelchair passenger the guard has to remove the bar to allow them to use the wheelchair space, therefore the bikes can't be there.
Posted 9 years ago # -
yes, child seat and panniers definitely make it look bulkier. we usually take off panniers if we're worried, even though much easier to load onto train with them in place. had a nice guard last time we did this from dalmeny who let us on with tandem plus two other bikes. one was folder, which i would have folded if it had been an issue. but he was very nice, even though they created quite a blockage. this was when 8yo had had a fall and 4yo had gotten cold, so we headed home. very grateful to kind guard who just smiled at us.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Most of the Scotrail guards on the Fife circle are really good with bikes. The most I've seen on a two bike slot is six in the rush hour. Guard just side-stepped his way through and said nowt.
Posted 9 years ago # -
On seeing the picture I was quite surprised that LaidBack had got it anywhere near the train, let alone onto it, because I was under the impression that ScotRail employees are quite "computer says no" about tandems on trains. It is good to find that I am wrong.
(Was that Airdrie - Bathgate rolling stock? It looks a bit like it.)
Posted 9 years ago # -
I thought my tandem looked small in that train fimm!
Was the via Bathgate route to save me changing trains. We've had the Quetzal folding tandem on a train to Fife.
With Helios I just make sure it doesn't block doors. Our old Thorn Voyager just couldn't fit trains and that was the childback version.
A fold does help to keep things within area for longer tandems. Staff didn't seem bothered but we were travelling off peak.
Quetzal folded on ScotRail to Dunfermline + pram by LaidBackBikes, on FlickrPosted 9 years ago # -
Question:
How long is a Helios tandem? I'm guessing it wouldn't fit in a 180cm long shed.
What about diagonally (198 cm corner to corner)?
The handlebar/stem is quick release? Does releasing that and turning the front wheel 180 degrees make it viably shorter?
If it had a child seat on the very back would that make the whole package longer?
(Not actually planning on buying a Helios, but I am planning on buying a shed. Just want to keep options open...)
Posted 9 years ago # -
laid-back can give you proper dimensions, but if you put a helios next to a 'normal' bike, it is only longer by half the width of a 20" wheel, which I guess is 10"?
so, not much longer. and no, a childseat does not make it longer.
Posted 9 years ago # -
My "normal" bike probably exceeds 180cm, foremost-part-of-front-wheel to rearmost-protrusion-of-rear-light-on-mudguard. The LHT specs say a wheelbase of 1067mm, so add at least 600mm (twice half the ERD of a Sputnik) and two 45mms for the flange hole heights of the hubs and you're up to 1757mm before the rim depth and tyre thickness is accounted-for, not to mention the rear mudguard and the light attached thereto. I'm sure I went for a custom-measurement shed even back when I had a frame with much less rear wheel clearance/shorter chainstays because they seemed to stop at 180cm, or roughly 6', probably measured as the external footprint.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@SRD, thanks for the info.
My 700c bike (touring frame so probably on the long side*) fits in said shed with a few cm to spare so it sounds like a Helios could be squeezed in. Maybe... Depends what you mean by a 'normal' bike!*Neither Helios nor Edinburgh bicycle seem to want to provide bicycle dimensions on their websites.
Posted 9 years ago # -
You're welcome to put a tape measure to mine at Pop.
Posted 9 years ago #
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