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From: reid@Glacier.ARPA (Brian Reid)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Tandems...
Message-ID: <7662@Glacier.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 20-May-85 02:35:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: Glacier.7662
Posted: Mon May 20 02:35:36 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 23-May-85 03:35:06 EDT
References: <6939@ucbvax.ARPA> <685@asgb.UUCP>
Organization: Stanford University, Computer Systems Lab
Lines: 35

> I have had my tandem for almost three years and I have decided to sell
> it.  The biggest reason for me not to have a tandem is that I am lighter
> than all my tandem partners and the lighter person must ride in back.  I
> have found that it drives me nuts to ride in back and trust the complete
> control of the bike (steering, braking, cadence) to the front rider. 
> 
> Jennifer Longstaff -- Burroughs Advanced Systems Group -- Boulder, CO
>  sdcsvax!bmcg!asgb!jkl  or   ....hao!asgb!jkl

From time to time the Wheelsmith store here in Palo Alto has side-by-side
tandem bicycles for sale. These are (like many good tandems) handmade, and
cost around $1500, but hey, talk about equality! As Rick Hjertberg (the
affable guru of Wheelsmith) told me when I was picking my jaw up off the
floor after first seeing this machine, "imagine being able to talk in
whispers to the person you're riding with."

This machine has two wheels and two side-by-side seats. The cranks are
arranged like the crankshaft in an engine; each person sits entirely on one
side of the bicycle frame. Each person has a set of handlebars, but only the
left-hand handlebars actually turn. They steer the bike via a chain/gear
system. The craftsmanship and material quality of the machine is about what
you would expect from a $1500 bicycle, namely perfect.

I have ridden one for about 90 seconds (Rick let me take it around the block
with a friend). It is without a doubt the most enjoyable "Sunday afternoon
in the park" vehicle I have ever experienced. I have no idea how it would
perform in the mountains. Also on the downside, it is very difficult (but
not impossible) to ride one of these beasts by ones' self.

Me, I own a Schwinn 5-speed tandem outfitted with a baby seat. "A bicycle
built for 2.5". Much more affordable, but the rider in the back doesn't see
much. 
-- 
	Brian Reid	decwrl!glacier!reid
	Stanford	reid@SU-Glacier.ARPA