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Is a Tandem right for you?
 Two times, two times the fun! Tandem cycling is a great way for two people of different abilities to cycle together. Tandems provide a healthy way to maintain fitness (while working out at their own level), and a way to spend uninterrupted time together doing something fun.
Lets take a look at why people ride tandems.
When riding a tandem . . .
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You never have to play catch up, or wait for your riding partner
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Another type of tandem owner has younger riders in the family that enjoy riding with the adults, but can’t keep up. Everyone can keep up on the ride
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Kiddie back tandems allow an adult to ride on the front with a child on the rear. 
The unique frame design makes it great for taking youngsters along on the ride. Most tandem are with two seats, however 3 seat tandems are known as a triplet. This additional seat allows kids age 4 and up to pedal from the back seat. For a family, good friends or a 4- to 6-person racing squad, these special designed tandems are designed to be ridden fast. And, because of its longer wheelbase, greater stability, and doubled power, nothing beats a tandem for safely pulling one or two toddlers in a trailer.
Shared Workout
 Tandem bicycling is the one activity allowing optimal workouts for both of you. Instead of working out alone, holding back or competing head-to-head, you're a team with a common goal.
Particularly with respect to the need to be in step with your "ride-mate" in terms of:
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pedaling
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braking
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steering
Whether riding across town or around the globe riding a tandem together offers the subtle rewards of teamwork – easy conversation, shared discovery and mutual accomplishment.
 Like single or standard bike, tandems come in most of the same styles .
Choose from our:
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Race-ready aluminum tandems
- High-end steel tandems
- Off-road-equipped mountain tandems
- Easy-riding comfort tandems.
Tandems come in a range of sizes and it is crucial to get the size that is comfortable for both riders.
Tandems do not differ a huge amount compared with bicycles in terms of equipment. The only parts that are tandem specific are:
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the eccentric, cross-over chainset
- stoker stem (rear handlebar holder)
- some tandems have a longer axle on the rear to allow a drum brake to be fitted
The eccentric holds the bottom bracket at the front and allows the crossover chain to be tightened to allow for chain stretch.
From casual to competition, there's a tandem to suit your needs at The Bike Shack.
Wheels
The increased weight of two riders places extra stress on wheels. The choice of wheel size helps determine what the tandem may be used for. These options include 26” wheels (mountain bikes) and 700C (touring/hybrid size).
Handlebars
Combine the right wheel size with a good handlebar option; straights, drops or butterfly and your tandem can be the perfect machine for you and your cycling partner. Sometimes wider handlebars and a more upright position are desirable. Unlike a solo bike turning is affected more by steering than by leaning.
Brakes
Tandems do need good brakes and modern tandems have more sophisticated brake systems including V brakes and disc brakes. Most stock tandems are fitted with cantilever or V brakes these days. And many are fitted with Shimano STI or Campagnolo Ergo brake-shift levers. These levers are all designed to be used with caliper brakes, not cantilevers or V brakes. Caliper brakes do not require nearly as much cable pull from the lever to operate properly.Rear hubs need to accommodate drum brakes to prevent the build-up of heat in the rims during long descents.
Gears
The gearing also needs to be wider than solo bikes to allow riders to select a lower gear to spin up hills. Tandems often need a wider range of gears than a solo since they can reach much higher speeds due to aerodynamic advantages.
 Check with The Bike Shack when it comes to tandem bicycles. We want you to test and compare models, have the bike properly fitted to your dimensions, take test rides, ask about a lesson on riding, and the importance of communication when riding together.
Group riding on your tandem can be a great way to make new friends. Pedal together and have double the fun!
We make owning easy, Free Financing with approved credit, Free Lay-a-way, and major credit cards.
Come in, look around, and
Ride with......THE BIKE SHACK!
The only place for all your cycling and fitness needs! |
