The options available to tandem teams in terms of safety are the same as available to solo cyclists with the caveat that more care needs to be taken of the machine. A tandem bike, notably the components, are more susceptible to fatigue related failure. The combination of two riders with mass applying torque on two connected pendulums will prematurely wear parts that would normally never fail on a single bike. When seeking additional safety on a tandem look at your components first.

With the tandem in safe form your next safety line is found with the items you choose to wear. For solo cyclists the bigger risk for serious injury comes in endo style crashes (over the handlebars). For protection from these types of injuries a standard helmet, gloves, and a hydration pack can minimize injuries. Tandems are much less susceptible to this type of crash due to the long wheel base and seperation of mass front to back.

Tandem teams are susceptible to side to side crashes, wash outs of the front tire, and accidents with third parties (think “cars”). In these types of crashes the stoker tends to be more at risk since they “never see it coming”. One second they are pedaling along and the next they are lying in a heap on the side of the road. Safety gear needs are obviously different. Being unaware of the impending doom (artistic expression added here) tandem teams should look for equipment that will provide additional protection to areas that will have first contact with the ground.

• Helmets that provide additional side and rear coverage or even mouth protection can provide additional levels of security.
• Some stokers elect to wear body armor knee/ shin guards and elbow guards (primarily spotted on mountain tandem teams).
• Full finger cycling gloves can protect more of the hand from road rash and lacerations.
• High dollar cycling shoes with molded heels and toes protect the foot from foreign objects.
• Sunglasses that offer more than just style. Shades that include design elements to keep them attached to your face during a fall will ensure your eyes receive some level of protection after you hit the ground.

Finally it is necessary to ensure information is easily accessible. Think about the worst case scenario where both riders are incapacitated after a crash. Do either of you have allergies? Is there an emergency contact outside of the two individuals lying on the ground? All those important details that can help save your life and care for your injuries might be lost in this worst case situation. Take steps to provide information to first responders. At a minimum make sure both riders have id on their person or the tandem. Add additional ICE (in case of emergency) contacts into a cellular phone other than the individual you normally ride with. If you have allergies or immediate medical conditions carry a card explaining so. Taking this a step further their are third party services that use an ID tag to provide this data to first responders. Our editors have experience with the “Road ID” system and can vouch for the quality of the service.

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The rapid increase in smart phone and GPS use has placed into the hands of millions of drivers small screened distractions that buzz, ring, and further invite drivers to lose their attention. Studies have shown that with more distractions inside the car drivers are less aware of what is going on around them (study).

Just yesterday while riding to our favorite trail-head we stopped at a traffic light and noticed 3 of the 4 drivers around us where fiddling with their smartphones. While it can be argued that they were not moving at that moment in time it can also be argued that they were not paying attention to their surroundings either. We are willing to bet that not one of those 3 motorists would have noticed if we had decided to make a change in our position on the road.

The implications of this shift in driver habits is significant towards tandem teams. Our safety, and that of all cyclists, resides in an unwritten belief that vehicle drivers are taking reasonable care and responsibility in operating their vehicles. As smaller and slower moving vehicles tandem teams are always at the mercy of drivers to, at a minimum, stay in their lane and follow basic vehicle traffic laws.

New laws outlining proper use of smart-phones while operating a vehicle are constantly being enacted.  Intended to codify proper behavior these laws only serve to force drivers to hold their phone down further in their lap to text or type on the screen. Tandem teams will in short order need to decide if their safety is worth the risk or if riding designated bike trails and routes is the only safe option available.

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Answer: Used tandems present a unique opportunity for tandem teams to enter into the sport on a tighter budget. Buying second hand allows you to dable without fully committing and depending on the tandem purchased may be a great way to get a very nice tandem bike on the cheap. The downside is that purchasing a used tandem presents an entirely new set of early risks not found in buying or building a new tandem.

When purchasing a used tandem your inspection should begin at the frame level. Depending upon age, frame design, and material used there are a number of points of contact to inspect for signs of premature wear, previous damage and repairs, and signs of neglect. Generally speaking tandems are manufactured using the standard materials of the day; steel on pre-1990 frames, aluminum on post-1990 frames, and carbon fiber on more recent road tandem frames. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, beyond the scope of this answer, so perform some web searches for “signs of fatigue on xyz material” to learn more about what to look for. In your cursory review look for weld cracks, gouged tubing, or signs of early fatigue.

If the frame checks out next move on to the components. Tandem bikes are generally assembled using heavier duty single bike parts. While suitable for use on tandems these parts are not designed or certified for use on a tandem. In your inspection start with the parts that can cause catastrophic failures:

• The fork and steerer tube should be in complete working order with no signs of bending or cracks.
• The captain seatpost should be straight and show no signs of stress cracks.
• The stoker stem, coming off the seatpost, should also be properly attached and display no stress cracks.
• The stoker seatpost should be straight and if it is a suspension type post should have proper movement.
• The wheels should be straight and true with no dents or flat spots on the rims. Inspect the spokes for broken or replacement parts with careful attention to the drive side rear spokes for signs of chain slap gouges that can weaken said spokes. The hubs should spin smoothly with no lateral or vertical play in the bearings.
• The brakes should operate properly with the brake pads and braking surface displaying no signs of misuse (ie gouges, ridges, severe discoloration, etc).
• The bottom brackets should spin smoothly with no lateral or vertical play. Pay attention to the crank arms for signs of stress fractures.
• The drivetrain should operate smoothly with all cog teeth displaying normal wear patterns. Pay attention to bent or broken cogs/ chainrings.

Overall you are looking for signs of neglect or abuse. A tandem is designed to handle the weight and torsional forces delivered by two riders but the components, generally, are not. Should you be unsure of how to inspect any of the parts above then do take the bike to a qualified shop for inspection. If there is any doubt about the status of a component part now is the time to replace it.

If everything checks out a this point do plan on replacing the following components/ parts no matter what:

• Tires and tubes
• Pedals (go with the style you are used to)
• Seat (same as pedals)
• Brake pads
• Brake fluid if equipped with hydraulic brakes
• Shifter cables and brake cables (if equipped)
• Grips or bar tape

Assuming everything has checked out, been replaced, and the used tandem is in your hands take care on your first few rides to not push the new tandem to the limits. View the first few trips as a breakin period for both your tandem team and the tandem bike. Get to know the characteristics and handling traits of the rig. Pay close attention to the frame and components for any signs that you may have missed in previous inspections.

As your comfort level increases with your ability to handle the new bike and with the condition and quality of the tandem begin to up the intensity of your rides and enjoy the fun of a tandem bike.

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As can be viewed in this photo, from the team TandemBicycling.com full suspension mountain bike tandem, even long travel suspension frames are susceptible to serious forces transmitted to the stoker.

To combat the inevitable fatigue and pains the stoker will feel most tandems will be spec’d with a suspension seatpost. The suspension seatpost, once adjusted properly, will help absorb the big hits and small vibrations resulting in a more smooth and comfortable ride for the stoker.

It is also important to work on communication between captain and stoker. In the case of the photo above, the captain failed to warn the stoker of a major bump on a fire road decent. The suspension performed its duty in softening the blow but the torsional force of the stoker rising and sinking was too much for this post to handle. The team would have been better off if the captain provided the warning and the stoker then transitioned her wait to the pedals and handlebar.

On road tandems clear signs of extreme vibrational problems can be found in saddle soreness and early muscle fatigue for the stoker. Simply replacing a standard seatpost with a short travel suspension post will alleviate the vibration induced pains.

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As a stoker the first major difference, and most obvious, is the complete lack of control they exert over the direction, speed (at least in downhill situations), and line choice of the tandem. The stoker effectively gives their well being over to the captain during the duration of the trip and must rely upon that person for guidance as to what to expect next. It is at this junction where a long lasting tandem team is made or dissolved. The captain MUST provide useful and timely guidance to the stoker continuously in-order to ensure a long and healthy riding partnership. Simple things like calling out bumps in the road, impending stops, or cadence changes will make the difference between a happy trip and final trip.

The stoker must be prepared to accept the feedback provided by the captain and adapt to the incoming changes that said feedback entails. For example, an approaching bump in the road may require the stoker to grip the handlebar more tightly or be ready for a sharp jolt through the seat-post. As a stoker even minor miscalculations can shift the center of gravity of the tandem and cause significant control issues for the captain. Something as simple as sitting up off the bar to reach into a back pack can and will change the weight balance on the tandem; as much as the captain should communicate actions up front so should the stoker communicate changes in back.

On a tandem bike it takes two to get from point A to Point B. Miscommunication from either the captain or the stoker can result in the abrupt ending of a tandem partnership. The stoker may be hanging on for dear life on the back of a tandem but it is their vital role in the team that makes them the lifeblood of any successful tandem pair.

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While perusing the net we came across this uplifting story of a man and his daughter on their new tandem: Link

The tandem allows the gentleman who has undergone significant and debilitating surgery to once again enjoy the great outdoors and mountain bike trails. The gesture from the neighborhood mountain bike club is one that should make anyone smile since they obviously understand the pleasure riding a tandem bike can provide.

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What type of riding do you plan on doing?

Let’s first hope that you have at least discussed the idea of buying a tandem with your soon to be riding partner. The biggest mistake most first time tandem buyers make is not communicating the idea with their significant other; tandems do not make for a good surprise gift.

In deciding to buy a tandem consider the terrain you will encounter and the surface conditions. Will you be riding many hills or mostly flat roads? Do you foresee any dirt trails in your tandem riding future?

How experienced are you at riding a bike?

Do you or your future tandem partner currently ride a bike on a regular basis? What type of riding do you perform (road or mountain)? This will help dictate the majority of the riding you will end up doing on a tandem.

Frame designs available

Less expensive Asian imported tandems are usually made with steel. The frames use low quality welds and are suited strictly to gentle rides on bike paths; these bikes make up a majority of the models found for sub-$300 on eBay.

Aluminum, Titanium, high-end Steel, and Carbon-fiber are the preferred materials of high end tandem bike builders. They build into stronger and more laterally stiff bikes. When researching these frames check out the manufacturer’s website and popular review sites for opinions on quality and workmanship.

Previous owner’s use of the bike

The advantage of shopping for a used tandem is that a large portion of them were ridden only a few times. The key thing to look for on these lightly ridden bikes is how and where they were stored. If the bike sat outside under a tarp it is highly likely that all the bearings will need to be replaced or re-lubed, the chains replaced, the tires replaced, and the cables replaced. If you are doing the math in your head it becomes obvious that the dollar savings begin to disappear.

Sometimes higher mileage tandems offer a better deal because the more active teams will have already stress tested and replaced weaker parts allowing you to take-over a steady ride.

Mechanical condition – things to look for

1. Visually inspect all welds (when buying online demand detailed photos)
2. Eyeball all tubing looking for bends and dents
3. Shift the gears and apply the brakes
4. Listen for creaks and grinds
5. Lateral twist in the front and rear wheels (looking for signs of extreme stress on components)
6. Check the seat posts and stems for stress
7. Wheel true (give em a spin and watch for alignment and listen for smooth bearings)

Conclusion

When buying anything second hand you need to be wary of potential pitfalls. Due to their size and the weight they carry tandems require special treatment when being purchased used. Taking care to address the issues above will help eliminate some of the potential after purchase problems.

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The Santa Monica Mountains of Southern California comprise tracts of property taht border Los Angeles and her major suburban areas to the Northwest, including the homebase of TandemBicycling.com in THousand Oaks. As the story discovers there have been large finds in these mountains in areas dangerously close to mountain biking and hiking trails frequented by thousands every week.

The problem has become so dangerous that local authorities have stepped up eradication efforts to protect the natural resources and inadvertent mistakes by trail users. The size of these pot farm finds and their proximity to urban areas is of the greatest surprise in this story. There has been a long history of these types of issues in the forests outside of the urban area but never within the natural areas so close to the urban centers.

Just something more to be aware of while enjoying a tandem ride. The story is here.

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It is the togetherness that makes tandem bike riding a special activity.

While perusing celebrity gossip magazines we found some photos of Marisa Tomei riding stoker in New York City with her man. Now these gossip columns usually focus on bashing the captured starlets but in this case all the reports were positive. Rather than libel Marisa and her man the authors all noted how comfortable, relaxing, and fun the tandem ride seemed to be. Yes even the paparazzi get it, tandems are cool.

The next time you through a leg over the top tube of your tandem remember that the simple act of riding the tandem bike means you are going your own way. Rather than follow the Lance Armstrong admiring masses a tandem team just does it different, even the movie stars get it.

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