Re: Track Tandem: Bikefanclub.com

Dear Too:

I am glad you made it out to the OTC for the ParaOlympics trials. We have done a fair amount of work with past blind folks (Mike King, Pam Fernandez) in their efforts to keep their equipment working properly. A real struggle with some of their bikes. We have built quite a few track tandems, although none for anyone going for the ParaOlympics. Mike Beers and Mike Grabowski rode Mike Beers' tandem to two Elite National golds and the T-Town Velo tandem we built on commission for the track has won a bunch of the "Tandemonium" round robins up here. I bring up Mike and Mike and the Velo's tandem because both of the Mikes are over six feet and VERY powerful. (Mike Beers won the Elite Nationals Kilo two years ago) The Velo tandem gets ridden by a huge variety of riders since the track owns it and loans it out to any qualified rider for tandem events.

OK, now that I am done pumping up our track tandems, here is the reason. You asked if there might be particular issues with making a track tandem stiff enough for a rider such as yourself and your stoker. Most tandems, and in fact most track tandems, are not as stiff torsionally and in the drive train as they need to be for the stresses that track riders put them through. We have only seen a couple of track tandems that really work properly. Most of them, because they aren't stiff enough exhibit handling and mechanical problems that simply can't be fixed. Timing chains pop off, captains can't hold a line, etc. We use a few tricks to make them work right, and it isn't because I am so smart. It is simply that I have spent a lot of time on the track, on singles and tandems, and I have had the opportunity to figure out what makes a track tandem work. Believe me, the track puts completely different stresses on a tandem than the road does. But you already know this. That is why you raised the questions.

Now to drive train type. We use the crossover type because it uses more "standard" track components and is easier to work with for the riders. Same side drive allows the owners to use standard road components, but for practical purposes, you are stuck with road components. Same side drive does put less stress on the rear bottom bracket and can make the drive train less prone to jump around on a flexible tandem. Of course, broken rear cog teeth becomes a real issue on a 3/32" system. The crossover system, while much cleaner and easier to work with, does require a VERY stiff frame to work properly. Mike Beers continues to report that his tandem is consistently the quietest in any competition he is in. Although that sounds nice, it is actually a telltale of how straight the drive train remains during jumps, starts in cornering and during maneuvers.

As it turns out, tandems designed for pursuits and kilos are essentially the same. If you were interested in sprinting as well, we would need to make a couple of small compromises. In both the pursuit and kilo, the reliability of a good start is MUCH more important than any slight aerodynamic advantage you might get with an aero down tube. It is silly to go "trick" with tubing or materials.

So there you go; a long answer to a short question... Have a good week.

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Tom Kellogg
Spectrum Cycles
610-398-1986
http://spectrum-cycles.com/

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