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Tandem Improvements?

Started by Tim Steele · · Last activity · 5 posts · 1,275 views

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UK and Europe
Published
22 May 2003
Last activity
23 May 2003
Original author
Tim Steele
Posts
5
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Public discussion
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1,275
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Topics
Wheel building

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  1. Original post
    Tim Steele
    Archived post
    #1

    Well, our new budget MTB tandem (Ammaco Other Half) is going okay.. although the nearside rear
    chainstay has a slightly worrying notch in it (filed by the previous owner) and my friend who knows
    everything about bikes is worried about the rear wheel disintegrating the first time we try and go
    up a hill!

    So far all I've done to it is remove the knobbly tyres and fit Schwalbe Silentos, add a computer,
    bend the gear hanger so it's parallel (sigh), change the captain's saddle and fit some lights.

    The rear wheel looks pretty much like a standard MTB rear wheel with a 6 speed freewheel, and
    arguably this isn't enough for a tandem. What do people think - should we panic, throw away the rear
    wheel and replace it now, or wait until it breaks? If replacement is imperative, what with? I've
    seen a rear wheel which an LBS built for a 20st policeman which looks pretty strong - 13 gauge
    spokes, very chunky rim with eyelets, strong hub, so that might be the way to go. The snag of course
    is that strong hubs seem to be invariably cassette (after all the bearings are further apart) which
    means you're more or less forced to go to 7-8 speed, which means new gear selector, new chain etc.

    Advice welcome! (Myra, are you reading this?)

    Tim

    Report
  2. James Annan
    Archived post
    #2
    Tim Steele said:

    The rear wheel looks pretty much like a standard MTB rear wheel with a 6 speed freewheel, and
    arguably this isn't enough for a tandem.

    If it is properly built with 36 spokes, then the wheel itself will give no problems (the freewheel
    might). If it is badly built you will need it fixed, but you don't actually have any reason to
    suspect this do you?

    James

    Report
  3. Just Zis Guy
    Archived post
    #3
    Tim Steele said:

    The rear wheel looks pretty much like a standard MTB rear wheel with a 6 speed freewheel, and
    arguably this isn't enough for a tandem. What do people think - should we panic, throw away the
    rear wheel and replace it now, or wait until it breaks?

    Wait till it breaks a spoke at least. And if you do replace it, get a 48-spoke 26" tandem wheel like
    the ones on this bike:

    <http://www.chapmancentral.com/Web/public.nsf/Documents/me-n-u2>

    St John Street do them, as will your Friendly Neighbourhood Wheelbuilder.

    Guy
    ===
    ** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. chapmancentral.comchapmancentral.com (BT ADSL and
    dynamic DNS permitting)
    NOTE: BT Openworld have now blocked port 25 (without notice), so old mail addresses may no longer
    work. Apologies.

    Report
  4. Anonymous
    Archived post
    #4

    "Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Tim Steele said:

    The rear wheel looks pretty much like a standard MTB rear wheel with a 6 speed freewheel, and
    arguably this isn't enough for a tandem. What do


    people

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    think - should we panic, throw away the rear wheel and replace it now, or wait until it breaks?

    Wait till it breaks a spoke at least. And if you do replace it, get a 48-spoke 26" tandem wheel
    like the ones on this bike:

    <http://www.chapmancentral.com/Web/public.nsf/Documents/me-n-u2>

    St John Street do them, as will your Friendly Neighbourhood Wheelbuilder.

    And it'll cost about as much as the bike is worth. 36 spokes and single bike kit is fine for 26"
    unless you're carrying stupid loads. Eg most MTB tandems used for hard off road use 36 spokes, and
    work fine. The quality of the wheel build is by far the most important factor, and learning to build
    your own is the best way for the budget that the ammaco tandem deserves.

    cheers, clive

    (144 spokes between 2 tandems, both 26"😉

    Report
  5. W K
    Archived post
    #5

    "James Annan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Tim Steele said:

    The rear wheel looks pretty much like a standard MTB rear wheel with a 6 speed freewheel, and
    arguably this isn't enough for a tandem.

    If it is properly built with 36 spokes, then the wheel itself will give no problems (the freewheel
    might). If it is badly built you will need it fixed, but you don't actually have any reason to
    suspect this do you?

    On a very low spec tandem????

    36 spoke wheels have to be very well built. My competant LBSs may be able to make wheels "properly"
    but not well enough.

    I had one made by a fairly well known shop - it was buggered within 6 months.

    Report

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