Advice on tandems required

[lastpubrunner]

Hi All,

I'm considering getting a tandem - for use with my (tall for age) 7 year old lad.

Should I go for an older steel-framed 531 tandem (to which I'd probably have to fit kiddy cranks) - something such as a Claude Butler Majestic II or Dawes Galaxy ?

or . . .

should I go for something such as a (child-back, but can be used by adults) Orbit Libra which has an aluminium frame ?

The Orbit Libra (2nd hand) would cost nigh on twice as much as an older 531 framed tandem. (Of course, whatever bike I might buy will 'officially' cost 'just' £100 ! - that's what I'd tell other half )

Would the Orbit be a noticeably better bike ? Have aluminium tandem frames 'moved on' from the older 531 frames ?

Any advice/info. appreciated !

 

[hamster]

One of the biggest things that has come on in tandems is handling. If by 531 frame you mean a 1980s or 90s frame, then go ahead. The 1950 era bikes are somewhat more flexy and unnerving.

I'd also recommend the older Dawes MTB tandems - real 'go anywhere - do anything' bikes. I've now got two 'Kickback Two' tandems which we use for family riding. The small size (17/15) fits a 7 year old with shortened rear cranks.

 

[lastpubrunner]

One of the biggest things that has come on in tandems is handling. If by 531 frame you mean a 1980s or 90s frame, then go ahead. The 1950 era bikes are somewhat more flexy and unnerving.

I'd also recommend the older Dawes MTB tandems - real 'go anywhere - do anything' bikes. I've now got two 'Kickback Two' tandems which we use for family riding. The small size (17/15) fits a 7 year old with shortened rear cranks.

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.

Yes, any 531 bike that I'd consider would be from the 80s or 90s.

I'm interested to read about your opinons on the MTB tandems; I've never considered an MTB tandem, 'cos I thought that for on-road use (the bulk of our cycling) they'd be 'harder going' ?

 

[hamster]

For on-road I fit slick tyres - 1.5" seem a good compromise. The fatter tyres definitely make it more comfortable for the stoker.

I'm a great fan of slicked MTBs for general on-road riding and touring. The 26" ATB wheels are much stronger than 700c which is a big advantage on a tandem, and you can get away with standard MTB hubs instead of the exotic and costly 140 or 145mm rear hubs necessary for 700c.

I guess that the big advantage is the sheer versatiltiy of the MTB tandem - ours do the school run weekdays, ride singletrack weekends and have even toured. I don't expect much of a speed difference - frankly with a 7 year old on the back you are doing most of the work anyway. Off road we have got 30mph on forest tracks.

 

[lastpubrunner]

I'd also recommend the older Dawes MTB tandems - real 'go anywhere - do anything' bikes. I've now got two 'Kickback Two' tandems which we use for family riding.

Cheers for the info., hamster !

Of course, I hadn't considered the benefits of having stronger wheels on a MTB tandem.

Are the 'older Dawes MTB tandems' (such as the Kickback Two's) aluminium frames or steel ?
(I've always had a preference for steel frames).

If there is such a beast, a 531-framed Kickback 2 would do very nicely - I'll have to keep my eyes open for such a beast. Hopefully, there'd be no need to 'faff around' with kiddy cranks etc.

Are there any MTB tandems in 531 ?

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

The other Dawes was the Double Edge I think. That was steel as well I recall.

 

[hamster]

Of my two Kickback 2's, one is 531 Tandem tubing, the other is badged as 501. Both are seemingly identical (same model year, tube gauges, decals etc) and fillet brazed. So I'm a little mystified.

Frankly I can't feel any difference between them to ride either!

 

[lastpubrunner]

The other Dawes was the Double Edge I think. That was steel as well I recall.

Was it 501 or 531 ?

I must thank both yourself and Hamster for your replies.

I was considering 'splashing out' c. £500 on an Orbit Libra. A fine bike, I'm sure; but I'm not certain that it is 'worth it' (for my purposes) since I believe that one would cost potentially twice the price of a Double Edge or Kickback Two. What can/does the Orbit Libra do that is better (noticeably) than the Dawes bikes ?

The less that I spend, the better for me . . . . . . . easier to mollify the 'opposition' at home !

I'm now on the hunt for a 501/531 MTB tandem.

Oh yes, what are the brakes like on the Double Edge and Kickback Two ? I've been told that they need to be good ! :shock:

Once again, thank you !!!

 

[hamster]

The Double Edge was 653, so even nicer.

As for braking, I found the standard STX cantis on mine to be downright scary and swapped them out sharpish. I run Maguras on both, although one has front only and V on the back. Since then I've never been concerned about braking, the twin Magura setup has brought the bike down Devon 1 in 4's in torrential rain while towing a child trailer.

It took a while to find them, but they were around the £250-300 mark on eBay.

Highpath Engineering shortened the cranks for a reasonable sum with a quick turnaround.

 

[hamster]

oops, finger trouble...