[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
On a tandem, the captain or pilot needs more stand over than he (or she) would on a single. To get a tandem started the captain must hold the brakes while straddling the bike with his legs far enough apart for the stoker to mount and reposition the pedals. It's also a bit more awkward to get a leg over a tandem so the extra clearance is helpful then too. When you stop, the captain again straddled the bike while the stoker remains seated so having a lower center of gravity makes it a bit easier to balance the bike. So, a little too small is better than a little too big. Michael On Friday, June 6, 2014 6:43:07 PM UTC-4, ewb wrote: Hi Bill, I am looking to buy an Ibis touché. I am not sure of the exact size yet, but I am afraid that it may be a small. What size is yours? Do you think the Riv principles for sizing apply to a tandem? I would appreciate any advice on sizing this tandem that you could give me (I am about 5' 9.5). Thanks, Ernie On Thursday, February 7, 2013 1:37:40 PM UTC-5, Bill Lindsay wrote: Sadly my Ibis Touche won't take much wider than a Jack Brown. I have Jack Browns on there now, and a set of 35mm Paselas in the stash. If I could wave my magic wand at the rear triangle to make room for 45mm tires, I would. The fork is ready to take fatties. I guess all I need is to move the bridges and squish the chainstays, which is a maneuver any number of framebuilders could execute for me. On Wednesday, February 6, 2013 10:53:35 PM UTC-8, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Hi Bill, I am looking to buy an Ibis touché. I am not sure of the exact size yet, but I am afraid that it may be a small. What size is yours? Do you think the Riv principles for sizing apply to a tandem? I would appreciate any advice on sizing this tandem that you could give me (I am about 5' 9.5). Thanks, Ernie On Thursday, February 7, 2013 1:37:40 PM UTC-5, Bill Lindsay wrote: Sadly my Ibis Touche won't take much wider than a Jack Brown. I have Jack Browns on there now, and a set of 35mm Paselas in the stash. If I could wave my magic wand at the rear triangle to make room for 45mm tires, I would. The fork is ready to take fatties. I guess all I need is to move the bridges and squish the chainstays, which is a maneuver any number of framebuilders could execute for me. On Wednesday, February 6, 2013 10:53:35 PM UTC-8, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
I've always heard that that you should go for a lower standover on a tandem, which infers more seatpost showing. How un-Rivendell! ;) Any Rivendellian would look at my tandem and say it doesn't fit you, and they'd probably be right. But what the heck, it's the tandem I have, 350mm seat posts and quill extenders notwithstanding! On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 5:43 PM, ewb ebons...@optonline.net wrote: Hi Bill, I am looking to buy an Ibis touché. I am not sure of the exact size yet, but I am afraid that it may be a small. What size is yours? Do you think the Riv principles for sizing apply to a tandem? I would appreciate any advice on sizing this tandem that you could give me (I am about 5' 9.5). Thanks, Ernie On Thursday, February 7, 2013 1:37:40 PM UTC-5, Bill Lindsay wrote: Sadly my Ibis Touche won't take much wider than a Jack Brown. I have Jack Browns on there now, and a set of 35mm Paselas in the stash. If I could wave my magic wand at the rear triangle to make room for 45mm tires, I would. The fork is ready to take fatties. I guess all I need is to move the bridges and squish the chainstays, which is a maneuver any number of framebuilders could execute for me. On Wednesday, February 6, 2013 10:53:35 PM UTC-8, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Keep the metal side up and the rubber side down! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
My wife and I have been riding a custom made Santana Noventa for the past several years our choice of tire size is 700x28 sans fenders. We originally used Conti Gatorskins and then switched to Ruffy Tuffy's . We were once part of the go fast crowd and actually considered the 700x28's to be a concession in speed for comfort and durability. We average approx 1 flat per 1k miles. We did once encounter a split casing and had to mount a new tire to finish the ride (good thing we had a spare, eh). I just built myself a new Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen and run 650b x 38's that I have just fell in love with. This has me giving serious thought to switching to 700x32's on the Santana I believe this would be an ideal set-up for more comfort and durability without much sacrifice in speed . -Ricky On Thursday, February 7, 2013 1:53:35 AM UTC-5, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
We use 35 mm tandem tires, and as much as I like wider tires /hetres on my single bikes, 35 seems optimal...there is plenty of useful flexion in the frame of all these tandems, that wider (and I did have hetres on for a trial on the santana) didn't yield appreciable benefit. That said, our favorite tandem is the bike friday! - though it's a bit of a sporty / weird ride. With my wife who is a sprinter / and me, it's 350lbs of person + 35 lb bike, accelerating like mad; and because there's so much yield to the frame / it's not unlike driving a turbocharged front wheel drive race car / you have to hold it sideways to go straight. As compared to the Santana, which is like a locomotive...that one really hauls too. But increased tire size never really made a difference (decreased, ie we tried 25s on it once...was awful). So sweet spot - 32 - 35 mm http://flic.kr/s/aHsjE7mW43 Ron Western MA On Thursday, February 7, 2013 1:53:35 AM UTC-5, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Tandems East http://www.tandemseast.com/parts/brakes.html has them, but they will cost you. Also they are working with Co Motion on a replacement now that the Arai is no longer produced. On Sunday, February 24, 2013 8:06:04 AM UTC+7, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery wrote: Is a thread-on drum brake even an option on a new tandem these days? I was looking for an Arai drum a few years ago, and it didn't seem to exist anymore. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Thanks for that feedback Ed. All quite useful. On Friday, February 22, 2013 11:29:50 PM UTC+7, dailyrandonneur wrote: Owen -- We've been very happy with two discs for the riding we do in the east, which are mostly steep relatively short downhills. In the west I could see using a drum on long multi-mile descents, especially when loaded. In Colorado I had to scrub speed periodically which works fine, but with a drum one could engage it and just ride. That said I rode tandem with cantis in the past and would not go back, given the power of discs in wet conditions. Our previous Speedster was set up to take discs, drum and cantis, but we never installed anything but disks. The handling of our Java is only slightly slower than our Speedster. Still more responsive than our Cannondale MTB tandem. Dwan told me they worked to make the Java handle similar to the Speedster when using comparable size tires. They design with low bottom brackets which helps. We have not used tires bigger than 700x 32 yet so can't say how bigger tires might affect handling. I asked for it to be a little more stable on slow uphills than our Speedster and Dwan achieved that. Wheels -- we haven't had an issue with 700c wheels in SS cases, with tires deflated. Ed On Thursday, February 21, 2013 10:54:19 PM UTC-5, Salween wrote: Did decide on a custom, coupled Java frame. Couple of questions for Ed. 1) I saw in your Speedster farewell poshttp://thedailyrandonneur.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/we-bid-farewell-to-our-tandem-companion-the-co-motion-speedster/t that you decided to forgo canti brake studs on the Java. So you guys have been pretty happy with just the two discs, even for touring? Considering the same for the first time, but the Arai sure has been a trusted friend when needed. 2) How do you find the handling given that the Java's front geometry is quite a bit different from Co-Motion's other tandems--and as Jay noted possibly akin to 32mm tires on a Santana? Thanks, Owen -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Is a thread-on drum brake even an option on a new tandem these days? I was looking for an Arai drum a few years ago, and it didn't seem to exist anymore. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Owen -- We've been very happy with two discs for the riding we do in the east, which are mostly steep relatively short downhills. In the west I could see using a drum on long multi-mile descents, especially when loaded. In Colorado I had to scrub speed periodically which works fine, but with a drum one could engage it and just ride. That said I rode tandem with cantis in the past and would not go back, given the power of discs in wet conditions. Our previous Speedster was set up to take discs, drum and cantis, but we never installed anything but disks. The handling of our Java is only slightly slower than our Speedster. Still more responsive than our Cannondale MTB tandem. Dwan told me they worked to make the Java handle similar to the Speedster when using comparable size tires. They design with low bottom brackets which helps. We have not used tires bigger than 700x 32 yet so can't say how bigger tires might affect handling. I asked for it to be a little more stable on slow uphills than our Speedster and Dwan achieved that. Wheels -- we haven't had an issue with 700c wheels in SS cases, with tires deflated. Ed On Thursday, February 21, 2013 10:54:19 PM UTC-5, Salween wrote: Did decide on a custom, coupled Java frame. Couple of questions for Ed. 1) I saw in your Speedster farewell poshttp://thedailyrandonneur.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/we-bid-farewell-to-our-tandem-companion-the-co-motion-speedster/t that you decided to forgo canti brake studs on the Java. So you guys have been pretty happy with just the two discs, even for touring? Considering the same for the first time, but the Arai sure has been a trusted friend when needed. 2) How do you find the handling given that the Java's front geometry is quite a bit different from Co-Motion's other tandems--and as Jay noted possibly akin to 32mm tires on a Santana? Thanks, Owen -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Did decide on a custom, coupled Java frame. Couple of questions for Ed. 1) I saw in your Speedster farewell poshttp://thedailyrandonneur.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/we-bid-farewell-to-our-tandem-companion-the-co-motion-speedster/t that you decided to forgo canti brake studs on the Java. So you guys have been pretty happy with just the two discs, even for touring? Considering the same for the first time, but the Arai sure has been a trusted friend when needed. 2) How do you find the handling given that the Java's front geometry is quite a bit different from Co-Motion's other tandems--and as Jay noted possibly akin to 32mm tires on a Santana? Thanks, Owen -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Yes, I guess you're right, it's a balance between you and the stoker that brings proportions... not only you. At our size, if we'd both go on the same tandem, I'd try to build a 36er tandem! :-) Like this one (but it's a triple) : http://36ers.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/ttside.jpg?w=1200h= Cheers David On Friday, February 8, 2013 2:45:02 PM UTC-8, Julian wrote: David, I believe it is the best size for the handling and ride we want (I know others may/will demur, which is ok by me), and as a bonus, and it will also work better for the travel bike aspect -- 700c wheels are a snug fit in the 26x26x10 max airline size case, and w/40-45c tires would be quite tight. Not too worried about our size and 650b -- we're going up in tire volume, so that's not an issue. What is your concern? Aesthetic w/ too tall a head tube? That doesn't worry me, and w/ a small stoker the 650b actually offers subjectively better looks in the back, so... :) Julian Westerhout Bloomington, IL On Friday, February 8, 2013 2:34:07 PM UTC-6, davidfrench wrote: Julian, I'm 6f6 and my stoker 5f10 and we just bought a used Trek T100 to play around the idea of a tandem I put 45c on it (Resist with gum wall... wrong idea they're too fragile) and changed bars/seats. It's great! But at our size, I wouldn't go with 650b. Why did you chose 650b for your Bilenki? David On Friday, February 8, 2013 6:49:34 AM UTC-8, Julian wrote: We've ridden a 700c steel Trek tandem from the early '90s for a number of years w/ 35c tires and fenders. I'm big (6'7), stoker small (5'2), team weight somewhere around 340 total. Ridden mostly on road, but on some non-pave trials, the worst of which was the CO Canal (roots, rocks, mud, and ruts), and while a little extra cush would sometimes be good, we've been fine. We bought our Trek used and really enjoyed it. That said, we've been saving our pennies for several years and have ordered a custom Bilenky 650b randonneur/travel SS coupled bike that is designed for Hetres w/fenders. You are right in your observation that the majority of stock road tandem makers (esp. Santana) seem to be trying to emulate single bike styling and design w/ low spoke count wheels w/ narrow tires. There are a few exceptions, but custom is not too far off the cost of an upmarket stock bike, so if the budget allows I'd definitely go custom (or look for a deal on a used bike w/ room for at least 35c tires and semi-sensible geometry). Julian Westerhout Bloomington, IL On Thursday, February 7, 2013 12:53:35 AM UTC-6, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
With a 26 wheel, we have found 36 spokes to be plenty strong enough. Michael On Friday, February 8, 2013 12:46:28 PM UTC-5, Julian wrote: On Thursday, February 7, 2013 11:49:31 PM UTC-6, Salween wrote: -snip- The 650b option is interesting. Certainly a growing number of tire choices out there. But I've not seen many rim options at 36-hole and none at 40-hole, but maybe 36 is enough for our needs? What are folks using for touring tandems? -snip- Bilenky had a run of Velocity 40 hole 650b rims made for them. I do not know if any others have access to those, however. Julian Westerhout Bloomington, IL -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Great, now I need a 36er triplet. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
On Thursday, February 7, 2013 11:49:31 PM UTC-6, Salween wrote: -snip- The 650b option is interesting. Certainly a growing number of tire choices out there. But I've not seen many rim options at 36-hole and none at 40-hole, but maybe 36 is enough for our needs? What are folks using for touring tandems? -snip- Bilenky had a run of Velocity 40 hole 650b rims made for them. I do not know if any others have access to those, however. Julian Westerhout Bloomington, IL -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
David, I believe it is the best size for the handling and ride we want (I know others may/will demur, which is ok by me), and as a bonus, and it will also work better for the travel bike aspect -- 700c wheels are a snug fit in the 26x26x10 max airline size case, and w/40-45c tires would be quite tight. Not too worried about our size and 650b -- we're going up in tire volume, so that's not an issue. What is your concern? Aesthetic w/ too tall a head tube? That doesn't worry me, and w/ a small stoker the 650b actually offers subjectively better looks in the back, so... :) Julian Westerhout Bloomington, IL On Friday, February 8, 2013 2:34:07 PM UTC-6, davidfrench wrote: Julian, I'm 6f6 and my stoker 5f10 and we just bought a used Trek T100 to play around the idea of a tandem I put 45c on it (Resist with gum wall... wrong idea they're too fragile) and changed bars/seats. It's great! But at our size, I wouldn't go with 650b. Why did you chose 650b for your Bilenki? David On Friday, February 8, 2013 6:49:34 AM UTC-8, Julian wrote: We've ridden a 700c steel Trek tandem from the early '90s for a number of years w/ 35c tires and fenders. I'm big (6'7), stoker small (5'2), team weight somewhere around 340 total. Ridden mostly on road, but on some non-pave trials, the worst of which was the CO Canal (roots, rocks, mud, and ruts), and while a little extra cush would sometimes be good, we've been fine. We bought our Trek used and really enjoyed it. That said, we've been saving our pennies for several years and have ordered a custom Bilenky 650b randonneur/travel SS coupled bike that is designed for Hetres w/fenders. You are right in your observation that the majority of stock road tandem makers (esp. Santana) seem to be trying to emulate single bike styling and design w/ low spoke count wheels w/ narrow tires. There are a few exceptions, but custom is not too far off the cost of an upmarket stock bike, so if the budget allows I'd definitely go custom (or look for a deal on a used bike w/ room for at least 35c tires and semi-sensible geometry). Julian Westerhout Bloomington, IL On Thursday, February 7, 2013 12:53:35 AM UTC-6, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
We've ridden a 700c steel Trek tandem from the early '90s for a number of years w/ 35c tires and fenders. I'm big (6'7), stoker small (5'2), team weight somewhere around 340 total. Ridden mostly on road, but on some non-pave trials, the worst of which was the CO Canal (roots, rocks, mud, and ruts), and while a little extra cush would sometimes be good, we've been fine. We bought our Trek used and really enjoyed it. That said, we've been saving our pennies for several years and have ordered a custom Bilenky 650b randonneur/travel SS coupled bike that is designed for Hetres w/fenders. You are right in your observation that the majority of stock road tandem makers (esp. Santana) seem to be trying to emulate single bike styling and design w/ low spoke count wheels w/ narrow tires. There are a few exceptions, but custom is not too far off the cost of an upmarket stock bike, so if the budget allows I'd definitely go custom (or look for a deal on a used bike w/ room for at least 35c tires and semi-sensible geometry). Julian Westerhout Bloomington, IL On Thursday, February 7, 2013 12:53:35 AM UTC-6, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
My 1979. Tom Ritchey Tandem won't take anything wider than a 28mm. I feel the bumps! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Wow, thank you all so much for the input. Pretty much confirms what I thought that we would probably want clearances for up to 50mm with fenders. 1) Co-Motion Java Yes, should have mentioned that I've looked pretty long and hard at this offering, but wondered if the frame might be a bit overkill as we won't necessarily be doing much trail per say, and as was noted Co-Motion's Dawn said it was stiffer than their Speedster. Though I'm pretty tall, 36 inseam, but we're not a an overly heavy team at 280#? Also, while it says touring, kind of surprised that it's lowest gear with 29er tires is a 30-34--and the granny can't get much smaller My Sam's got lower gears than that, as do Co-Motions touring singles. Also, the duel disks seem a bit sub-optimal for descents over a mile or so with gear (overheating)? Seems like the tried and true cantis with drum would be better--at least as an option? So certainly would be looking at building out a frame if go this rout. When I asked about fitting a 64/104 spidered triple, the sales rep would not confirm it would fit and said I would need to check with the crank supplier-DaVinci? Also don't know about room for canti studs on the rear given how the triangle is configured? Will need to check that too. 2) Wheel diameters (26, 650b, 700c) Yup, trust 26 will offer the greatest confidence, and can confirm on our Cannondale that 40* Rhyno Lites can really take a beating and hold true (though one broken nipple) for thousands of miles. However, it seems 700c rim/wheel strength can be pretty good these days as well, and I think we might find a bit more comfort over the smaller ruts and long haul with the slightly longer circumference. Hard to know exactly, but I'm far more comfortable on my Sam with 33/35mm tires than the Cannondale with 26x1.9--and their could be all manner of reasons for this beyond the tires/wheels: aluminum tubes So exploring the 700c option and wondering how wide we should be prepared to go if we choose to. The 650b option is interesting. Certainly a growing number of tire choices out there. But I've not seen many rim options at 36-hole and none at 40-hole, but maybe 36 is enough for our needs? What are folks using for touring tandems? 3) R+E Yes, had a visit there and test road one of their tandems. Nice folks for sure. One reason the Java looks interesting is that we likely may want a pair of couplers as we move/travel with the bike a lot, and one less tube would be kind of nice. The R+E frame price would sill be a bit less though. But one thing that I found a bit odd though, is that when looking at their build options, say substituting DaVinci cranks or a Thudbuster ST stoker post, R+E is actually charging customers well above the retail price if you just went ahead and purchased them on you own--independently of the fact that it's a substitution for the stoker post or Sugino tandem crankset. Same with Phil hubs, etc. There's no more work involved? In general, however, their philosophy seems to be more Riv-like than most, and like that. Again, this input has been very useful, especially hearing from an actual Java owner, and look forward to any more that might follow. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Julian, I'm 6f6 and my stoker 5f10 and we just bought a used Trek T100 to play around the idea of a tandem I put 45c on it (Resist with gum wall... wrong idea they're too fragile) and changed bars/seats. It's great! But at our size, I wouldn't go with 650b. Why did you chose 650b for your Bilenki? David On Friday, February 8, 2013 6:49:34 AM UTC-8, Julian wrote: We've ridden a 700c steel Trek tandem from the early '90s for a number of years w/ 35c tires and fenders. I'm big (6'7), stoker small (5'2), team weight somewhere around 340 total. Ridden mostly on road, but on some non-pave trials, the worst of which was the CO Canal (roots, rocks, mud, and ruts), and while a little extra cush would sometimes be good, we've been fine. We bought our Trek used and really enjoyed it. That said, we've been saving our pennies for several years and have ordered a custom Bilenky 650b randonneur/travel SS coupled bike that is designed for Hetres w/fenders. You are right in your observation that the majority of stock road tandem makers (esp. Santana) seem to be trying to emulate single bike styling and design w/ low spoke count wheels w/ narrow tires. There are a few exceptions, but custom is not too far off the cost of an upmarket stock bike, so if the budget allows I'd definitely go custom (or look for a deal on a used bike w/ room for at least 35c tires and semi-sensible geometry). Julian Westerhout Bloomington, IL On Thursday, February 7, 2013 12:53:35 AM UTC-6, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Sadly my Ibis Touche won't take much wider than a Jack Brown. I have Jack Browns on there now, and a set of 35mm Paselas in the stash. If I could wave my magic wand at the rear triangle to make room for 45mm tires, I would. The fork is ready to take fatties. I guess all I need is to move the bridges and squish the chainstays, which is a maneuver any number of framebuilders could execute for me. On Wednesday, February 6, 2013 10:53:35 PM UTC-8, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
We like Pasela Tourguard 700 x 32s for most of our tandeming. Our old Co-Motion Speedster from 2006 accepted those tires with fenders but not 35s. To run bigger tires we recently upgraded to modified Co-Motion Java. They changed it a couple of years ago from a 26/559 wheel model to 700c/29er. Rides great with the same 700 x 32s, but can take up to 700 x 50mm+ if we wish. Co-Motion bills the Java as a touring/offroad tandem. We added a lateral tube to stiffen the frame some more, though Dwan said the Java is already stiffer than the Speedster. The ride is still pretty nice, and it doesn't flex as much when we stand up. Ed Washington, DC On Thursday, February 7, 2013 1:53:35 AM UTC-5, Salween wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Speaking of Bilenky, we tested one of their tandems. It was equipped with 42 mm Grand Bois Hetre tires. We used it in a 300 km brevet, and set a course record for that (hilly) course on it. I rode Paris-Brest-Paris on a 1946 René Herse tandem with 38 mm tires, but that was only because 42s weren't available then... Photo of the Bilenky is here: http://www.bikequarterly.com/test_bikes.html And the Herse tandem is here: http://janheine.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/pbpcornervillagemed.jpg Jan Heine Editor Bicycle Quarterly www.bikequarterly.com Follow our blog at http://janheine.wordpress.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
On Thu, 2013-02-07 at 14:07 -0800, Jan Heine wrote: Speaking of Bilenky, we tested one of their tandems. It was equipped with 42 mm Grand Bois Hetre tires. And, tying this to the current blog entry, that Bilenky was at NAHBS and in fact, if memory serves, was a winner. We used it in a 300 km brevet, and set a course record for that (hilly) course on it. I rode Paris-Brest-Paris on a 1946 René Herse tandem with 38 mm tires, but that was only because 42s weren't available then... Photo of the Bilenky is here: http://www.bikequarterly.com/test_bikes.html And the Herse tandem is here: http://janheine.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/pbpcornervillagemed.jpg -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
If one is on a timetable, Co-Motion is turning tandems around relatively quickly. With a number of custom modifications and couplers, ours got to us in about 6 weeks after design approval. We have friends who are getting a 650b custom tandem for use with Hetres from Co-Motion, also expected in weeks. We have other friends who have waited more than a year on their 650b Bilenky tandem with no progress yet. That's not incredibly long for a custom shop with high demand, but it's something to keep in mind. Ed Washington, DC On Thursday, February 7, 2013 5:07:31 PM UTC-5, Jan Heine wrote: Speaking of Bilenky, we tested one of their tandems. It was equipped with 42 mm Grand Bois Hetre tires. We used it in a 300 km brevet, and set a course record for that (hilly) course on it. I rode Paris-Brest-Paris on a 1946 René Herse tandem with 38 mm tires, but that was only because 42s weren't available then... Photo of the Bilenky is here: http://www.bikequarterly.com/test_bikes.html And the Herse tandem is here: http://janheine.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/pbpcornervillagemed.jpg Jan Heine Editor Bicycle Quarterly www.bikequarterly.com Follow our blog at http://janheine.wordpress.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
Our Bilenky was designed and set up for touring. We run Marathon Racers, 26x1.6 and really like them. I highly recommend Bilenky's work, and, if you are getting a tandem definitely go either 26 or 650b. Our fully loaded tandem, with us on it, weighs well over 400 lbs and handles like a dream. We couldn't be happier with it. Michael On Thursday, February 7, 2013 5:07:31 PM UTC-5, Jan Heine wrote: Speaking of Bilenky, we tested one of their tandems. It was equipped with 42 mm Grand Bois Hetre tires. We used it in a 300 km brevet, and set a course record for that (hilly) course on it. I rode Paris-Brest-Paris on a 1946 René Herse tandem with 38 mm tires, but that was only because 42s weren't available then... Photo of the Bilenky is here: http://www.bikequarterly.com/test_bikes.html And the Herse tandem is here: http://janheine.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/pbpcornervillagemed.jpg Jan Heine Editor Bicycle Quarterly www.bikequarterly.com Follow our blog at http://janheine.wordpress.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: Any Riv tandem riders--tire width?
We recently bought a used Mercian that has marathons on it which I think measure a touch over 40. Not much clearance, how many mm do folks consider minimum clearance? The bike rides very nicely. Those stout schwalbes are not supple fast tires but we aren't fast either and the ride is quite comfortable. I asked the seller about the smaller tires that seem so prevalent for road tandems. We concurred that that was just crazy. On Feb 6, 10:53 pm, Salween owen%livingrivers@gtempaccount.com wrote: Don't know if Grant and Co. will ever produce a tandem, so in the meantime will be getting one elsewhere. Seems like most tandems out there follow the skinny tire theme, with the exception of R+E in Seattle and Bilenky in Philadelphia, and even their tire clearances don't seem to push as far north as nearly all Riv singles. So wondering if there are any tandem riders here and what tire widths they prefer. On my Sam I ride 33/35mm tires often on marginal roads. So wondering what that might translate to on a 700c tandem? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
