Tandem sizing question

Dominic,

You can probably "get by" with a standard medium frame with adjustments to stoker stem length. Most tandems come with adjustable stems. Although more expensive, to really do it right think about a custom fitted tandem (contact da Vinci Designs www.davincitandems.com). If this is your first tandem, find a used one to try and determine if this is something you and your wife really want to do before dropping the bucks on a new or custom ride.

Best Wishes,
Gerald

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Djm
Hello,

My wife and I are thinking about purchasing a tandem and I have a few, general, questions regarding
sizing. Hope somepne can help clarify these issues.

We are looking at a tandem with 26" wheels, plan to do mostly fire roads and road riding -- no
"real" off road work.

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Dominic

Both riders need ample standover clearance, as there are times when you move the bike one way and
your partner moves another.

The captain should have saddle and bars in the same position as their single bike, with the bars
perhaps slightly higher or nearer.

The stoker needs the same saddle height but almost always has much less distance to the bars. Best
to test ride and find what size/shape bars she is comfortable with and if they clear your hips. Some
use regular drop bars, just extra wide (46cm), and others use TT style bull horns. The rear stem
needs to put the center of the bars far enough back to clear your legs with her hands near the stem.
Anything further back is wasted.

You might consider a suspension seatpost for the rear depending on your roads and riding style.

Actual numbers: look for a very long rear top tube - 27 to 29" long.

-Bruce

"djm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:ocJnb.40238$275.91759@attbi_s53...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

My wife and I are thinking about purchasing a tandem and I have a few, general, questions
regarding sizing. Hope somepne can help clarify these issues.

We are looking at a tandem with 26" wheels, plan to do mostly fire roads

and

Quoted message said:

road riding -- no "real" off road work.

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to

my

Quoted message said:

main concern: is it possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"?

Seems

Quoted message said:

all the tandems I read about are designed around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Dominic

Bruce said:

just extra wide (46cm), and others use TT style bull horns. The rear stem needs to put the center
of the bars far enough back to clear your legs with her hands near the stem. Anything further back
is wasted.

It might help to know that there are telescopic rear stems, adjustable in length.

Sergio Pisa

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Djm
Hello,

My wife and I are thinking about purchasing a tandem and I have a few, general, questions regarding
sizing. Hope somepne can help clarify these issues.

We are looking at a tandem with 26" wheels, plan to do mostly fire roads and road riding -- no
"real" off road work.

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Dominic

Your observations are correct on "standard" sizing.
For more information try "tandem @hobbs"
Find you local tandem club for information and maybe some test ride material.
If you are fortunate, you will have a dealer in your area that actually carries tandems.
Santana has some tandem events where there are many tandems to ride.
Santana, Co-Motion, and others build custom sized tandems.
Sheldon Brown has some good articles and links on tandems that are worth the look at URL:
http://sheldonbrown.com/tandem/index.html

In article <ocJnb.40238$275.91759@attbi_s53>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

My wife and I are thinking about purchasing a tandem and I have a few, general, questions
regarding sizing. Hope somepne can help clarify these issues.

We are looking at a tandem with 26" wheels, plan to do mostly fire roads and road riding -- no
"real" off road work.

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

Any thoughts?

Why not let her be captain and you be the stoker?

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

Quoted message said:

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.
-----------------------

for sure its possible, even with "standard sizing", and not going to custom. shops tend to stock
frames that are large/small or large/medium because thats most likely. most builders offer
large/large or even medium/large.

seeing as how you are nearly the same standover and reach, you might consider taking turns
captaining.... I know several couples that do that, and it makes for much more empathetic captains.
😉 off-road you might want to take over since it requires a little more upperbody.

your big decision might be whether to go for a 26" MTB tandem good for dirt and fire roads, or to go
with a road tandem which will be faster on the road. You might do well with the MTB option if you
consider also getting some narrow (1" or 1.5"😉 slicks or a spare set of wheels for when you hit the
road. The problem with using a MTB on the road is that you'll be out of gears on the flat if you are
strong riders, unless you go with more of a road crankset.

d

Quoted message said:

Actual numbers: look for a very long rear top tube - 27 to 29" long.
------------------

I forgot to mention.... the road tandems will probably all be longer than MTB, and I have a
Meridian, which is one of the longest with around 29" for the stoker. good for a big stoker.

d

"djm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<ocJnb.40238$275.91759@attbi_s53>...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

My wife and I are thinking about purchasing a tandem and I have a few, general, questions
regarding sizing. Hope somepne can help clarify these issues.

We are looking at a tandem with 26" wheels, plan to do mostly fire roads and road riding -- no
"real" off road work.

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

Any thoughts?

First off, steer well clear of a 26" MTB based bike. Tires that can take high pressure are hard to
come by even though the pair of you are pretty light.

Secondly, tandems are not condusive to a good marriage relationship in the best of times. Those who
work well together are quite few and far between. So don't spend a lot of money on your first
tandem. Find a used Trek tandem which will suit you well.

Thirdly, the size difference isn't really important and the mentioned Trek has a size which would
fit your bill.

I just bought a rans screamer so I am familiar with the questions that come up on tandems. I don't
think your wife will have any problem being the stoker in fact I think it is an advantage to be able
to see past the captain. Tandems are all about communication and working as a team. Try out a few
bikes together and see how the communication works out. I bought my bike from tandems east in NJ.
they just do tandems and I think it is helpful to work with a shop that knows the ins and outs. Good
luck on your search.--- Bruce "djm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:ocJnb.40238$275.91759@attbi_s53...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

My wife and I are thinking about purchasing a tandem and I have a few, general, questions
regarding sizing. Hope somepne can help clarify these issues.

We are looking at a tandem with 26" wheels, plan to do mostly fire roads

and

Quoted message said:

road riding -- no "real" off road work.

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to

my

Quoted message said:

main concern: is it possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"?

Seems

Quoted message said:

all the tandems I read about are designed around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Dominic

djm said:

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

The most important limit is likely to be that the height of the stoker's stem is limited by the
height of the captain's saddle (since stoker stems clamp around the captain's seatpost, as a rule).
That can in some cases result in an uncomfortably low stoker handlebar.

djm said:

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

Score.

Quoted message said:

We are looking at a tandem with 26" wheels, plan to do mostly fire roads and road riding -- no
"real" off road work.

Be sure and consider a Co-Motion Mocha, a tandem built around 26" wheels and specifically designed
for both road and dirt riding.

Quoted message said:

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

It's not so much taller captain/shorter stoker as it is heavier captain/lighter stoker. Since the
captain has to hold the everything up when stopped, the captain is usually the stronger (and
larger) rider.

For you and your wife's heights, you may have to go to a custom geometry, such as a longer stoker
compartment, but what you propose sounds doable.

Chris Neary [email hidden]

Chris & Tracey 1999 Co-Motion Speedster

[email hidden] (Tom Kunich) wrote in message news:...

Quoted message said:

Secondly, tandems are not condusive to a good marriage relationship in the best of times. Those
who work well together are quite few and far between. So don't spend a lot of money on your first
tandem. Find a used Trek tandem which will suit you well.
------------------

the truth in tandeming is that it takes the direction your marriage is going.... faster.

d

"David Kerber" <ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <ocJnb.40238$275.91759@attbi_s53>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads

to my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

main concern: is it possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"?

Seems

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

all the tandems I read about are designed around a taller captain,

shorter

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

stoker.

Any thoughts?

Why not let her be captain and you be the stoker?

She has been riding for a few years, while I have been riding for nearly 20. My handing skills are
far greater than hers and she has stated, clearly, that she does not want to be cap't.

DJM

"dan baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Tom Kunich) wrote in message news:...

Quoted message said:

Secondly, tandems are not condusive to a good marriage

relationship in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the best of times. Those who work well together are quite few and

far

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

between. So don't spend a lot of money on your first tandem. Find

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

used Trek tandem which will suit you well.
------------------

the truth in tandeming is that it takes the direction your marriage

is

Quoted message said:

going.... faster.

That may be completely correct. Hard to say though. I think that my marriage may have survived
without the tandem adventure.

Chris Neary said:

Quoted message said:

We are looking at a tandem with 26" wheels, plan to do mostly fire roads and road riding -- no
"real" off road work.

Be sure and consider a Co-Motion Mocha, a tandem built around 26" wheels and specifically designed
for both road and dirt riding.

Quoted message said:

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

It's not so much taller captain/shorter stoker as it is heavier captain/lighter stoker. Since the
captain has to hold the everything up when stopped, the captain is usually the stronger (and
larger) rider.

It's not even so much the stopped balance you have to worry about. My own tandem handles like a
single bike with a stoker who weighs less than me, but the one time I had a considerably heavier
stoker the thing was a horrible pig.

Quoted message said:

For you and your wife's heights, you may have to go to a custom geometry, such as a longer stoker
compartment, but what you propose sounds doable.

I agree.

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles habcycles.comhabcycles.comOpen ↗ Home of the $695 ti frame

[email hidden] schreef ...

Quoted message said:

First off, steer well clear of a 26" MTB based bike. Tires that can take high pressure are hard to
come by even though the pair of you are pretty light.

Excuse me? How many different tires do you want to have? And besides: wider tires can be ridden at
lower pressures with roughly the same rolling resistance as narrower ones. We usually ride Panaracer
Hi-Road S which is a wonderful tire. In the past we used quite some tires, most of which stayed in
one piece like the Specialized Nimbus II and III, Avocet City-Something, Ritchey's and more.

On our new tandem we're going to try out the Schwalbe SuperMoto, a
2.35" (!) slick.

--
Regards, Marten

[email hidden] schreef ...

Quoted message said:

djm said:

I am 5'9, 150lbs, and ride a Bontrager Race with a 29" standover (fits me well).

My wife is 6'1", 147lbs, and rides a Bontrager Privateer with 30.5" standover, with plenty of
"crotch" clearance to spare.

We both have nearly the same arm length

The problem is, my wife will ride in the stoker position...which leads to my main concern: is it
possible to have a taller stoker than "captain"? Seems all the tandems I read about are designed
around a taller captain, shorter stoker.

The most important limit is likely to be that the height of the stoker's stem is limited by the
height of the captain's saddle (since stoker stems clamp around the captain's seatpost, as a
rule). That can in some cases result in an uncomfortably low stoker handlebar.

This can partly be overcome by using riser bars. Or by using the type of stoker stem Burley used to
fit: a piece of tubing in which one fits a bog standard quill stem, pointing upwards.

--
Regards, Marten

In article said:

My own tandem handles like a single bike with a stoker who weighs less than me, but the one time I
had a considerably heavier stoker the thing was a horrible pig.

You're referring to the bike, right?

-WG