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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!orca!iddic!jimd
From: jimd@iddic.UUCP (Jim Delwiche)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Tandems...
Message-ID: <2009@iddic.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 21-May-85 11:55:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: iddic.2009
Posted: Tue May 21 11:55:23 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 23-May-85 03:12:24 EDT
References: <6939@ucbvax.ARPA> <685@asgb.UUCP> <5331@cbscc.UUCP>
Reply-To: jimd@iddic.UUCP (Jim Delwiche)
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 16
Summary: 

The heavier rider should always be in front...

The reason for this is that the stoker can impart some steering effect
by leaning, and this is undesireable.  If the larger rider is the driver,
he or she can muscle the bike where he/she wants it, and the effect of the
stoker's weight is minimized.  

On the subject of cost of tandems: what you're paying for is safety.  A
top quality tandem like the Santana is built for strength.  Stiffness is
very important on a tandem, especially in high speed descents, and can
only be had by good frame design and the use of oversize tubing and fork
blades.  Oversize tubing, in turn, means lugless construction, since
lugs are not available for these tubes, so there's a lot of
crafstsmanship involved.  The multiple brakes and bulletproof 48 spoke
wheels are some other features with safety implications.  All it takes is
one fast descent and you'll know your money was well spent.