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Tandems Are Two Much Fun!
Whether you enjoy cruising sweet singletrack, logging major road miles, simply coasting around the neighborhood, or all-out competition, doing it on a tandem is double the fun! |
Why? Because, bicycles built for two are faster, more stable on descents, have two fewer tires to flat (compared to two single bikes), attract more attention and allow riding together, regardless of differences in ability.
Twice The Fun
It's this last point that experienced tandem teams love the most. Riding double, no one gets left behind! He can hammer and she can just spin the pedals taking it easy. In this way, both riders get the ride/workout they want. For couples with different skill levels, riding tandems is like eating your cake and having it too!
Another wonderful advantage is being able to communicate so easily because you're seated so closely. Tandems also make great "tractors" for pulling child or cargo trailers. And, when your kids are tall enough, you can install a "kid-back," also known as a child stoker kit. This device raises the rear crankset so children can ride along and help pedal (look closely at how the boy is pedaling in the photo above).
The tandem ride is nothing short of exhilarating. Twofers these days are light, efficient and fast. You can choose models made from high-end steel, aluminum, titanium, and even carbon. Because there's a second engine, with no increase in frontal area, tandems easily outpace singles on flat straight roads. And, on downhills, they flat out fly (which is why tandem brakes are so powerful).
And surprisingly, contrary to popular opinion, tandems can climb, too. An experienced, synchronized team can scale hills as well as any single rider, partly because today's light, thoroughbred tandems weigh less than two high-quality singles.
Why Tandems Are Tops | |
PROS |
CAVEATS (easily overcome) |
no one gets left behind |
bumps can surprise the stoker if not warned |
faster & more stable on downhills |
there's a learning curve to harmonious tandemming |
half the flat-tire risk as two singles |
more bike-storage room required |
ride and talk without yelling |
on group rides, everyone tucks in behind you |
one can relax and enjoy the view |
sneaky stokers can soft pedal while you do all the work |
stoker can pass food to the captain |
may need a special bike rack for your car |
higher speed / same effort |
people point and laugh when you ride it alone to get your friend |
both riders get great exercise |
bean burritos |
two motors to fight headwinds |
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better upper-body workout |
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Sweet Features: suspension seatpost; adjustable rear stem and roomy bars; clipless pedals; easy gears; excellent brakes |