What is the Danger for Tandem Teams?

Aside from the obvious difference between tandem bikes and solo bikes, tandem teams are uniquely susceptible to dangers posed by choosing the wrong riding group. A tandem handles different from a solo bike on the three major axis including acceleration, braking, and maneuvering. Placing your tandem team into a group that sets inconsistent paceline speeds, erratic rider movements, or poor warning signals (for potholes and the like) can quickly change a fun ride into a lethal accident waiting to happen. The trick for picking the right group is matching their characteristics with your tandem team’s characteristics (not just the stoker or captains preferences).

Not all groups are equal

Not all cycling groups and clubs are created equal so care and due diligence is required when picking one. Based upon the combined psycho and demo graphics of the group you could find yourself in a lazy-pace flanked by geriatrics or spinning away in a sprint for the next sign-post. In an example from the Denver area, our editors rode with a group that seemed very professional and courteous on the front-end (on the website and at the pre-ride meeting). Unfortunately once rubber hit pavement the group dynamics switched with riders blowing stop signs and lights, diving through traffic, and all but ignoring even the most basic traffic laws.

Clues to Makeup

Cycling can be a competitive medium and sometimes people forget to delineate the difference between a social ride and a competitive event. Early clues can be found on the club website or group forum by looking for telltale signs of racing. Look for links or forum posts discussing races, racers, or training rides. At the pre-ride meeting pay attention to social clues to how the riders interact with one another. Are they discussing kids and work or are they debating the merits of wind sprints and cross-training? Combining the various clues will provide an idea of the group you are about to join.

On the Road

The majority of solo riders will only have seen a tandem in passing and have no real idea how it works. Your first few miles will be spent discussing the pros, cons, and differences inherit with a tandem bicycle. Use this “getting to know you time” to educate the other riders as to what to expect from your team and how to interact with you on the road. Discuss the key handling differences and make gentle suggestions on what you look for from other riders around you. At the same time pay attention to the group members and how they interact and react to your discussion. Are they displaying characteristics mentioned above or are they friendly nice and within the same general skill areas as your tandem team?

Be honest with your tandem partner as to your feelings. In our sample above from Denver our editors ended up pulling out of the group 5 miles in after witnessing the erratic behavior of the members. Since they did have a route que sheet they simply waited 5 minutes and then continued on the ride alone.

Not all groups and clubs are made the same and it will take time to select the proper one to mix with your tandem team’s skillset. By carefully selecting the group that meshes with your needs and expectations you can enhance your tandem riding experience by throwing in a few group rides every month.

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1. Always obey basic traffic laws – Laws are designed to protect everyone by codifying a basic set of tenants.
2. Keep your tandem in top operational form. There was a recent trial in Los Angeles regarding a road rage case where a doctor passed two cyclists and then slammed on his brakes in front of them. The defense actually hired a scientist to inspect and test the brakes on the cyclists’ bikes. Had they not been of good quality their case could very well have been lost right there.
3. Communicate upcoming obstacles, turns, and weight shifts. The stoker is essentially blind behind the captain meaning they will be late to react to changes in course. By proactively communicating and making it a routine tandem teams will be able to work together on the bike and avoid costly over-corrections
4. Anticipate the negative actions of others. When approaching cross-streets anticipate that the vehicle approaching on your side will not see you or stop. Prepare ahead of time to avoid the potential collision or take actions to make sure the driver will see your team.
5. Listen - often the best early warning system while riding is your hearing. Keep your ears open for vehicles approaching from the rear paying attention to engine rpm pitch, down/ up shifting, or braking. Again be proactive in your attention to sounds if the vehicle doesn’t sound normal take a look to be sure your are safe.
6. Avoid the road rage trap. Unfortunately there are folks out there that will go out of their way to provoke a confrontation. Coming from all walks of life their reasoning and cause can vary but their actions generally do not. Most times it starts with a honk or a brush by of the side view mirror. The perpetrator will follow it up with a steady view in their rear view mirror waiting for your reaction. Here is the trap… You can react aggressively and escalate the confrontation by any number of socially known moves (flipping the bird is one) OR you can make a note of the vehicle and license and report the action to authorities and continue on your way. Although option one can feel better the perp is often hoping you will escalate so they can further harass. By taking the moral high ground you avoid getting into further altercations and hopefully help build a case against the aggressor.

In the end your tandem team is out to have fun and enjoy the experience of a bicycle built for two. By taking basic precautions you can help minimize risk and avoid dangerous situations for your team. Ride safe and ride smart.

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Even the best made wheels will eventually fail. The most susceptible to premature failure is the rear wheel. Signs of premature wear include nicked spokes (from chain slap or kicked up stones), slop in the bearings, or dented rims. It is best to repair or replace parts as damage occurs but occasionally failure will occur during rides.

9 times out of 10 this failure will be limited to a broken spoke. Spokes are tightened under extreme loads causing sudden failure. Although startling this failure is almost never catastrophic. Usually unnoticeable except for the metallic “ping” of the spoke snapping.

A failed spoke will immediately throw a wheel out of true. Tandems equipped with disc brakes will be okay to limp home while bikes with rim brakes will need some truing to continue on. To nurse the tandem home first find a safe place to stop.

Depending on the spoke that broke and where the break occurred you will likely need to secure the spoke from flailing around and damaging another component. If the spoke can not be removed carefully bend and wrap it around a nearby spoke to secure its movement.

After securing or removing the broken spoke use a spoke wrench to adjust neighboring spoke tension to re-align the wheel. Do not expect to get the wheel perfectly back to true just straight enough to get your team home. Re-mount and continue on careful not to place too much strain on the weakened wheel.

The strong wheels associated with tandems should allow your team to return home safely. Remove the wheel and stop by your local bicycle shop to purchase a replacement spoke and have the entire wheel inspected for further signs of impending failure. A broken spoke, though startling, is never usually a ride-ender for tandems.

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The eccentric bottom bracket is a simple piece of equipment that is easy to service and adjust. For chain tension changes the crank arms can remain in place. For servicing you will need to remove the crank arms.

During the service illustration below our editors were changing the bottom bracket hence it was removed before loosening the eccentric in the frame. This step can be skipped if you will not be replacing the bottom bracket.

Step 1: Clean the area. Given the eccentrics location it tends to collect a lot of road grime, grease, and dust. Before beginning service attack the area with a cleaning rag and some elbow grease. Also use a smaller size Allen tool to clean the allen head within the unit itself.

Step 2: Loosen the Allen bolt. This should be performed with care. As noted above the area collects grime. Take caution to make sure the dirt within the Allen head does not cause you to strip the head. The Allen head is located with the center hole (The other two holes allow leverage tools to be used to adjust chain tension).

The allen bolt will not come out of the unit. It is apart of the wedge itself so stop loosening when tension is met.

Step 3: Remove the eccentric. With the Allen bolt loose you should be able to lightly press the unit and slide it out of the frame.

Step 4: Remove lock ring from the unit. The ring can be lightly pried with a small flat head crew driver and slid from the body. Disassemble and clean old grease from unit. Dirt accesses the internals via the bolt holes and adjustment ports.

Step 5: Re-assemble unit with fresh grease. The unit should assemble back together smoothly.

Step 6: Lightly grease body and slide back into the frame. Tighten Allen bolt loosely. Reinstall crank arms and chain then adjust tension by loosening and swiveling the body. (Hot tip: once you have identified the proper tension use a sharpie to lightly mark the frame in-line with the eccentric Allen head adjustment hole. Future adjustments can be made quickly with the mark as your baseline)

Care and patience should be exercised throughout the maintenance process. Damage to the eccentric could cause irreparable damage to your frame.

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Before Every Ride

1. Wipe old grease from your chains, brush the cassette and chainrings, and then reapply your lube of choice.
2. Check tire air pressures and visually inspect tire casing and tread for signs of damage or wear.
3. Test brakes for functionality and inspect hoses and fittings (on hydraulic brake setups) for leaks or cracks.
4. Physically twist and pull every bolted part on your tandem including, but not limited to, handlebars, seats, wheels, fork, and cranks. Any abnormal movements should be addressed immediately.

After Every Ride

1. Wipe frame clean of sweat and road grime
2. Note any strange noises and their general source for future inspection

On Regular Intervals

1. Check torque on eccentric and crank arms.
2. Remove and check bearings on bottom brackets
3. Clean cables and housings
4. Inspect seat-posts (notably the captains post) for signs of fatigue or cracking

To service a tandem drive-train the only real difference is the addition of a second chain line and associated parts. The additional torque tends to prematurely wear bottom brackets and the rear cassette. The chain-rings generally wear in a normal lifespan.

Maintaining a regular maintenance schedule will ensure that your tandem is ready to ride when you are.

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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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1. Take as much of the lane as necessary to safely ride. Note the “as much” part, don’t take the whole lane for no reason.
2. When approaching an intersection ride in the appropriate lane for your travel. If you are making a right turn get into the right turn lane; left turn the left turn lane; traveling straight stay in a straight traveling lane.
3. Listen – your ears can be more important at keeping you safe than any other sense. Pay attention to the sound of approaching vehicles (engine rpm, braking sound, etc). learn to anticipate the vehicle by sound versus sight.
4. Avoid confrontations – ride long enough and you will be provoked. From a vehicle buzzing you to items being thrown your way you will be tempted to confront a motorist. Avoid the temptation and take the highroad.
5. Signal your intentions – hand signals go a long way to keeping you safe.
6. Say thanks – believe it or not there are a lot of motorists who will go out of their way to allow you safe travels. When you notice this make sure to pass along a gesture of gratitude.
7. Travel at safe speeds and distances – your tandem can be a speed machine on pavement. Effective tandem teams can crank the wheels at speeds much higher than normal bikes. Be aware that others may not anticipate your higher speed; allow extra stopping/ maneuvering distance.
8. Keep your eyes up the road. For a solo-bicyclist their key safety maneuver to avoid pot-holes and road debris is the bunny hop. The bunny hop on a tandem is not a viable maneuver which leaves you exposed to some very dangerous obstacles. It is up to the captain to spot and avoid these obstacles.

Riding a tandem bike on the same highways as motor vehicles adds danger to the fun activity. By following the tips above tandem teams can ensure for a safer and more peaceful ride.

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Technically the user fees have never been legal but it took a court challenge escalated all the way up to the 9th Court of Appeals to confirm that the fees violated the terms of the law. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act authorized the agencies that manage public lands to determine and set user access fees for facilities underneath federal control. The intent of the law was to add fees (some could argue taxes) that generated revenue commensurate with the services provided allowing the specified federal agencies to be partially self funding. Under the law there were specific exclusions to this rule that allows specific groups and user types to enter, in this case, USFS managed lands without paying a fee. Basically users are allowed to access forest service lands, park along roadways, and camp in dispersed areas without paying.

The ruling (link) represents a small victory for forest users who were paying extra to simply be able to enter publicly owned lands. The implications of the ruling have far reaching consequences though. First off this case sets precedence for other challenges to the USFS fee program currently under way in other jurisdictions, including Colorado. Second the ruling is a simple interpretation of statute and does not challenge the overall legality of access fees to public lands or National Parks. Third, and finally, it is conceivable that the USFS will now be forced to “improve” various access points in order to justify the charging of fees.

In the meantime tandem teams will be free to access USFS trails and roads without worrying about paying a fee simply to do so.

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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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Tandem bikes are a bit different, for obvious reasons, and while a large number of horses have been broken to accept single cyclists the low volume of tandems creates a dangerous cocktail when tandem teams approach horses. Horses are intelligent creatures and will recognize and remember single bicycles but seeing one rider pedal by followed closely by a second rider can cause a horse to spook.

To avoid dangerous interactions with equestrians tandem teams are encourage to follow these rules of the road when encountering a horse and rider:

1. Immediately slow to a safe stop. When approaching from the rear slow to speed equal to or slower than the speed of the horse.
2. Announce your presence with a friendly hello.
3. Request instruction from the equestrian rider “is it okay for us to pass” or “do you need us to pull off the trail”.
4. Abide by the instructions of the equestrian rider.
5. If not instructed to do so ask before speaking to the horse. Generally equestrians appreciate you speaking in a calm voice to the horse to help the animal learn that you are not a predator.
6. Once clear of the horse take care not to make abrupt movements or loud noises until you are well away from the animal. Most spookings occur when riders think they are clear.

The number of equestrians has dropped tangentially over the last decade making encounters more and more rare. This drop in volume has created the adverse effect of increasing the chances of coming across a non-broken or easily spooked horse. Taking your time and working with the equestrian rider will ensure safe and happy rides for both your tandem team and the equestrian.

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1. Riding Tips – How to Ride in a Paceline on a Tandem For any tandem team with even a few miles of...
2. Avoiding the Inevitable Conflict: 6 Steps to Becoming a Safer Tandem Team As cyclists on a roadway tandem teams interact with many...