 Topic Name: Tandem vs Solos for TDR etc.
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on: November 04, 2014, 07:03:54 AM
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richpips
Posts: 66
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« on: November 04, 2014, 07:03:54 AM » |
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My son and I recently borrowed an off road tandem with a view to buying one to do the TDR.
My original thinking was that the tandem would allow our differences in speed on solos to be averaged out. I've found though that we are actually a bit slower, and that's without luggage. It's not the lightest but even if it weighs 5KG more than our solos I'd expect different outcome.
We've only done ~200 miles on the tandem, so the speed could be down to us being new to tandeming, but I think we work together on it well.
I was wondering what other tandem folk had found?
Cheers
Rich and Tom
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Topic Name: Tandem vs Solos for TDR etc.
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Reply #1 on: November 04, 2014, 10:30:00 PM
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SlowRide
Location: Clark, CO
Posts: 215
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« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2014, 10:30:00 PM » |
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I'm not a tandem person but I did ride in Tour Divide this year and it's worth noting that Katie and Sam finished second overall on their tandem. They had every inch of that frame packed and were absolutely flyin'.
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Going that one more round, when you don't think you can. That's what makes all the difference in your life. --Rocky Balboa http://twelvemilesperhour.blogspot.comTDR 2014, AZTR750 2015, CTR 2015 |
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Topic Name: Tandem vs Solos for TDR etc.
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Reply #2 on: November 05, 2014, 07:00:05 AM
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bakerjw
Posts: 464
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« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2014, 07:00:05 AM » |
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Tandems are a different animal. I've not done anything on an off road tandem, but my wife and I put in 1500 miles on our road tandem this last year. I am a stronger rider than she is so it is noticeably slower from my perspective and that especially becomes apparent on hills.
I have since gotten her her own road bike so that she can work on increasing her power. Even with the difference in our power output, we hit spots where we do fly. Sometimes you just have to get sync'd up for things to work right.
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Topic Name: Tandem vs Solos for TDR etc.
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Reply #3 on: November 10, 2014, 08:14:45 AM
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richpips
Posts: 66
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« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2014, 08:14:45 AM » |
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Thanks fo the replies.  |
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Topic Name: Tandem vs Solos for TDR etc.
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Reply #4 on: November 13, 2014, 07:40:31 PM
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offroute
Posts: 326
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« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2014, 07:40:31 PM » |
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Hey, Rich and Tom,
I also initially was attracted to the equalization factor of a tandem, but I've come to realize that's just one of the most obvious aspects. BakerJW nailed it with the animal comment. To my mind it comes down to whether you really want to tandem versus single bike. I think if you, collectively, just dig tandem riding, you should go full speed ahead. Because it's fun, and even more fun in massive quantities — not because you can go faster.
I love both. Nothing compares to being alone for days in the dirt with your bike. Also, nothing compares to whipping down some magically insane forest road or trail, exchanging giggles and smalltalk with someone you love sitting right behind you.
Cheers!
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