How does tandem bike work

We at sheldonbrown. Harris Cyclery has closed, but we keep going. Keep visiting the site for new and updated articles, and news about possible new affilations. Different tandemists choose the long bike for different reasons: A tandem allows two cyclists of differing strength and ability to ride together, pleasurably.

The faster rider doesn't need to wait for the slower one; the slower rider doesn't need to struggle to try to keep up with the faster rider. A tandem turns the basically solitary, individualistic activity of cycling into an mutual experience that may be shared by a couple. A tandem allows handicapped people who couldn't otherwise ride a bicycle to share in the joy of cycling. A tandem can allow a parent to share cycling at an adult level of speed and distance with a child. A tandem is the ultimate rush for cyclists who enjoy the sensation of high-speed cycling.

The captain has two major responsibilities: To control the bike, including balancing it whether stopped or in motion, as well as steering, shifting, braking. To keep the stoker happy! A tandem isn't a tandem without a stoker. The captain must earn the stoker's confidence, mus t stop when the stoker wants to stop, must slow down when the stoker wants to slow down.

The stoker has two main responsibilities: The stoker serves mainly as a motor. Since the stoker is not called upon to control the bike, this rider should be able to actually generate more power than the same rider would on a single bike. Depending on the strength and endurance of the stoker, this may take the form of a steady output or may be held in reserve. If the stoker is acting as a "reserve," it is OK to take it easy for general cruising, so long as the stoker can help out with a burst of power for the climbs.

Since starting up on a tandem is a bit trickier than on a single, the stoker should apply as much smooth power as possible when starting up, to get the bike up to maneuvering speed quickly. The stoker's other major responsibility is a negative one: The stoker must not attempt to steer! Unpredictable weight shifts on the part of the stoker can make the captain's job much harder, and can lead to crashes, in extreme cases.

The stoker should keep in line with the centerline of the bicycle, and lean with it as it leans through corners. A stoker must shift position on the saddle, or adjust a toe strap, or take a drink without disturbing the equilibrium of the bicycle. These activities should not be attempted at all while the captain is dealing with tricky traffic situations or narrow spaces.

Rotate the pedals so that the pedal for your less skillful foot is 45 degrees forward of straight up. Put your foot on the high pedal, then press down hard. This will simultaneously: Let you use the pedal as a step to lift yourself high enough to get onto the saddle Common incorrect techniques include: The Cowboy Mount , which involves standing next to the bike, putting one foot on a pedal, then swinging the other leg over the saddle while the bicycle is in motion.

Try this on a tandem, and you'll kick your stoker in the head! The Shuffle Mount , which involves standing on the low pedal, and trying to get the bike in motion by pushing off against the ground with the other foot Captain: Stand astride the frame, both feet on the ground, tandem straight up. Spread your feet apart and brace the top tube of the tandem against one leg for added stability. For certain tandems, it would simply not be cost-effective.

Too many to list here! Check out our website or give us a call and our experts would be happy to provide tips on how to ride tandem, selecting a tandem bicycle, tandem bike maintenance, tandem rentals, and traveling with a tandem — or any other tandem topic! What is a tandem bicycle used for? Are tandems hard to ride? Who sits in front? Do Hybrid or Electric Tandems Exist?

Is it true that tandems are divorce machines? Is tandem biking easier? Can tandem bikes go faster? What are the most popular tandem bikes? Do tandems come in different sizes? How do you fit a bike for two people? Are there different kinds of tandems?

How do we transport our tandem? How do we travel with our tandem? What options or components are available for tandems? Do tandems need special brakes? The word tandem refers less to the type of bike and more to the way in which its riders are positioned, in tandem! Tandem bicycles have been around for quite some time, with the first patents and inventions dating all the way back to the end of the 19th century. The first creator of the tandem bike was the Danish inventor Mikael Pederson[1], who developed the tandem bicycle design in He named the bike the Pederson Bicycle, which was the same name he gave to his original one-man bicycle.

Overall, the tandem bike was inspired to mimic the model of his older bicycle invention with an extra seat involved. While tandems rose in popularity when they first hit the marketplace, World War II, unfortunately, played a role in decreasing their sales and overall usage.

However, as the years went on, tandem bicycles again grew in popularity in the s and beyond[2]. This resurgence inspired more and more companies to get involved in creating their own versions. This led to the inventions of much faster, quality, and well-designed tandem bikes that have found their way into both recreational and competitive biking to this day.

Nowadays many different types of tandems are available, the most popular styles of tandem bicycles are tandem mountain bikes, tandem road bikes, tandem hybrid bikes and tandem comfort bikes. As tandem bikes can now cater for those wishing to pursue a range of cycling disciplines, they have continued to grow in popularity.

The frame of a tandem bicycle is stronger than a solo bike because it has to be capable of coping with the weight of multiple riders. This means the frame of a tandem will almost always feature additional crossbar supports. Normally these supports will run from the lower section of the seat tube at the rear of the tandem to the front of the top tube or top of the head tube at the front of the bike.

Some high-end road tandems are made using carbon fibre, whilst others are made from aluminium. Some mountain bike tandems have aluminium frames with a hardtail and suspension front forks, whilst others use full suspension systems. To fit multiple riders, the frame of a tandem will almost always be longer than that of a solo bicycle.

This is perhaps their most distinguishing feature. Due to the extra weight a tandem carries they often require stronger wheels. However, if the tandem is designed for an adult and child, it may be able to get away with using 36 spoke wheels that can be found on many solo bikes.

For tandems that are built to carry two or more adults, wheels with more spokes are necessary to increase the amount of weight they can carry. Tandem wheels with spokes are available and provide extra strength for heavy riders or for coping with any additional touring gear. However, to further aid their weight carrying capacity, tyres need to be inflated to a higher pressure.

The captain will be in control of gears and brakes, whilst the stoker simply pedals and holds onto the handlebars. On some much older tandems, the stoker was also able to steer the bike. However, this feature can easily lead to confusion and cause accidents.

Multiple sets of cranks are required on a tandem. These are joined together by a timing chain, which keeps pedals moving in unity. Some newer tandem bikes use multiple freewheels, which allows the cranks to operate independently for each other. Because a tandem bike has roughly double the kinetic energy of a solo bike, reliable brakes are essential. Disc brakes provide responsive braking in all weather conditions, which makes them suitable for tandem bikes, they are also capable of dealing with the extra weight a tandem carries.

Some tandems also feature a drum brake, which works in a similar way to those found on cars and other automobiles. Many tandems use a drum brake on the rear wheel which acts as a drag brake. A drag brake is designed to slow the increase in speed, specifically when travelling downhill. The stoker will normally be in control of the drag brake snd will activate it on steep terrain to prevent the tandem from gaining too much momentum. This is because the captain and stokers are constantly working as a team, which builds connections between the riders and inevitably makes for a social ride.

Tandem bikes are suitable for friends, family members, and couples to partner up for a relaxing and chatty ride on a variety of terrains. Inexperienced adult tandem riders may struggle to synchronise their pedalling efforts effectively. The thing to watch for with a child stoker is his or her feet coming off the pedals. Use toe clips to keep little feet in place. The hardest part of tandem riding is starting and stopping, particularly for two adults.

To get on, the pilot straddles the bike, feet on the floor, holding the brakes on. Leave the left-hand pedals at the bottom of the stroke, so that the stoker can use the rear left pedal as a mounting step to get onto the saddle and ready to go.

Two adults will need some kind of signal to start pedalling simultaneously. This procedure works with a child stoker who is tall enough to get onto a child-back tandem and able to worm feet into toe clips unaided. You can then put the drag brake on, straddle the rear rack, and hold the bike steady with your thighs.

Lift your stoker onto the saddle and slot feet into toe clips. Then, never forgetting to hold onto some part of the bike at all times, you need to work your way to the front and step over the top tube.

Do not swing your leg over your saddle: you will kick your stoker in the head. Alternatively, you can straddle the front of the bike, facing towards the back and holding the top tube between your thighs. Again, switch on the drag brake if you have one. Now reach down and lift junior onto the saddle. Skip to main content. A guide to tandems. A bicycle made for two or more! Tuesday, 17 January A tandem lets two riders of different abilities cycle together without anyone getting left behind.

A tandem can be combined with a child seat, child trailer, or even a trailer cycle so that a whole family can ride together.

Know your tandem A tandem has to be built more sturdily than a solo bike, because it carries more weight over a longer frame.

Child-back tandem A child-back tandem is made specifically for an adult pilot and a child stoker. Can you ride tandem? To get off, you put your feet down and reverse whatever procedure you used to get you both on.