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Sorry, wasn't able to post an image, I hope a link is ok!
https://imgur.com/gallery/aDzhd4 Y" alt="tandem" />
That looks a fine bike if the price is right. MY frame is all standard sizes of stuff and is of a similar vintage. Octalink cranks and 1 1/8 headset 27.2 mm seatposts
Im suprised it does not have disc brake mounts on the fork mne has both disc brakes and canti munts. If it hasn'f got disc mounts on the frame it would need to e cheap
Thanks for the speedy reply! Octalink is a shame but 1 1/8 steerer and 27.2mm seat posts are a relief.
Yep, I would have loved it if the fork and frame had disc mounts...
TJ, I eyeballed the size as 20"/18" based on that piccie, does that look about right to you?
I guess so - ours I think the top tube slopes down more to the rear.
And it's 18"/16"?
Be careful on older forks, our Dawes tandem came "disk ready" but when I spoke to Dawes they suggested that a 203mm rotor (most tandems run 203 front and rear) might be too much for the tabs
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/8342/29859039371_0e572d3eb9.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/8342/29859039371_0e572d3eb9.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://flic.kr/p/Muxo8D ]Tandem Evolution[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/n_b_t/ ]Notoriously Bad Typist[/url], on Flickr
This tandem has been through several phases - rigid MTB, HT MTB, HT tourer, rigid tourer with 29er forks, rigid tourer with 26 jump forks. We upgraded to a new tandem earlier this year so I restored it to the original rigid MTB state (with v-brakes) ready to sell, but Martyn Ashton's "random tandem" videos inspired Mrs NBT to ask me to set it up as a HT MTB again. She's now having second thoughts about the suitability of this idea...
Thanks nbt- good to know!
I've checked with Planet X re: max disc rotor size for the forks I'd be able to replace them with (I already have a pair, On-One CroMo 26ers) and they've got back to me to say they are most likely(!) 180mm max...
We have exact same model of tandem as nbt, very versatile indeed, I think just the frame forks chainsets and headset are left original. Been running 200mm disc up front on original forks for loaded touring in alps and rigid mtb in Chilterns and south downs - surprising a few people at the speed of our descents too - without any fork failure yet but the disc mount does look a bit of a potential weakness so might get that seen to once I've got the bouncy forks fitted. If nbt is selling, that dawes is a good starting point 👍
Tyring to think what's original on mine
- Frame
- Headset (I don't specifically recall replacing it anyway)
- Captain's seatpost and clamp
- Stoker seatpost and clamp
other than that we're spent a fortune on it over the years,either in new bits or in repurposed hand-me-down gear from other bikes
- new drivetrain - went square taper
- new shifters (old dual-release SLX ones from when Mrs NBT went 1*11)
- New rear wheel - the threads failed on the disk adapter mount on the old one. Still got it, it'll still work with a rim brake wheel but not with disks
- new fork, obvs (still have the old one)
- new front wheel with 20mm adapter for these forks, plus other options like QR thru-axle. again, still have the original front wheel
- new stoker stem (came with a regular stem and a shim, which I stil have somewhere) and bars
- new oversize bars and stem on the front
- new disk brakes (twice - Avid Code hydraulics at first, now avid BB7s)
- new saddles
- new pedals
- new grips
I was gonig to sell, now I've built it up as an MTB I'd like to give it another whirl. but I'll inevitably end up having to sell it I suppose. Drop me a PM if you're tempted
I've just bought the above Cannondale from eBay. I went up to £380, which was more than I was intending to spend, but I hope I got a bargain! At least I'll be able to try out some thumbies!! 🙂
Thats an OK price even for one without discs.
We got a cheap Raleigh Pioneer and after I changed the awful gripshifts to Shimano Alivio triggers and stuck a new back brake cable on it (cable discs f&r) it's really good fun to ride- it actually shifts and stops now! It was only £260 and I reckon we've chucked another £50 at it making it fit us. Oh, and I chucked a height adjustable stem on it too cos the front was way too low, so probably £80 all in to sort it out.
It's a good laugh, we've got a drive/coast system sorted (OH shouts 'drive' or 'coast' when he fancies, basically 😆 ) and we've used it more than I thought we would.
I'm so relieved it's an ok price! I've contacted the seller and he's happy with it too. Picking it up on Sunday, so excited!!
nbt why did you go from Avid Codes to BB7s?
Codes needed bleeding too often. I've never really liked SRAM brakes tbh
nice ride! You ever take it off any sweet jumps?
[strong]Dickyboy[/strong] wrote:
So here’s a question- how do you clamp a tandem in a workstand?
Assuming rotating clamp head, at an angle with one wheel still on the ground is how I do it.
That's how I normally do stuff, but my back was killing me indexing gears yesterday so i had a brainwave
Blimey nbt, nobody has mentioned the weeds on our path (s****).
Shermer - remember rule number one is that " the captain makes sure the stoker enjoys the ride" there is no rule 2
Also a suspension seatpost is a great aid to comfort for the stoker
Done it. (re)Built it, ridden it.
Need to fettle the limit screws on the front mech, it was rubbing on the tyre - the 2.4" knobblies in the there are a tad bigger than the 1.25" marathon we used when it was a touring tandem. There was some screaming but as the ride progressed it grew less frequent and by the end, it was declared to have been a fun experience
https://www.strava.com/activities/2515106953
Ah - the "squealing rear brake"
I'm not saying which end was screaming 🙂
Shermer - I have sent you a pm
Amazing, thanks TJ!!
Also a suspension seatpost is a great aid to comfort for the stoker
Yep, luckily enough there's a USE suspension post on there:-)
How are you getting on with the tandem? We've come to the decision that MTB tandeming is not going to feature heavily in our future so we'll sell ours, and stick to solo bikes off road. We'll still ride the road tandem but personal circumstances mean the off-road version is not as appealing 🙁
If there is anyone else tandem curious the dawes that nbt is selling is a really good starting point. Had ours 4 years now, done touring, road riding and off roading without any problems. Sorry to hear you are selling yours nbt I'm just gutted I didn't get into offroad stuff on a tandem year ago...
slowoldman
Subscriber
George Longstaff used to be the go-to tandem maker I think. I remember drooling over one of his gorgeous tandem trikes once upon a time but luckily I didn’t have enough money
Can't believe I missed my opportunity here...
I have a Longstaff...
.
.
.
No, I really do 🙂
We bought an off the peg jobbie at first then on our first tour, bumped into some pensioners in SW Portugal with a Longstaff in lovely British Racing Green. Got home and immediately went to see the auld fella... It's all a bit obsolescent now but still lovely so we'll just keep on trucking with it.
Ever take it off any sweet jumps?
I’m considering a tandem for a bike packing ride to Le Mans next year...
I
2 bikes have come up: Dawes Galaxy and Ridgeback Panorama.
Anyone have any thoughts? The Dawes looks great but the Ridgeback has disc front and rear. I could do either on the CTW.
Cheers!
Got a link to the ridgeback? I can't find it
Dawes are just nicely made old skool bikes. I would want discs tho. Are they still making the galaxy? again I cannot see it on their site
JD tandems in ilkley are the go to tandem shop
https://www.tandems.co.uk/m3b0s76p0/Tandems/Tandems-%C2%A3-800-to-%C2%A32500
double post
ta. Looks good to me but dunno much about them. I think the Dawes has disc brake lugs on fame and forks but not certain
Discs I really would want
Thanks TJ... will keep researching. I think the Dawes does have them; I’d look to put a dynamo hub (disc) wheel in the front of either so the difference in cost would more than allow a new front disc setup.
Just a word of caution. Might be worth using cable discs rather than hydraulic. There's very little fluid in a bicycle master cylinder and very little metal to act as a heat sink. You really really don't want to be boiling your brakes half way down something significant...
We're still on vees and arai drag brakes on our tandems but I don't think you can buy new machines with arai's any longer.
Its a myth not an issue really boblo. If you drag your brakes at low speed down a long hill it might happen. However just braking for corners as you would on a motorbike or car its no issue. I have done it - but only under very extreme circumstances - a long steep rough dirt descent with a heavily laden bike with trailer and old fluid in the brakes. and you get enough warning it will is happening that you can easily stop before it does ( the lever feel changes)
Don't use tiny discs and use a disc with a fair amount of metal in it.
I think the Ridgeback looks the better option as it’s cable disc F&R.
I’m quite excited about this as I feel it opens up a new dimension to cycling with my gf. It also means a practical solution to getting to Le Mans and back in the timescale available next year.
Have you and your better half tried riding one? Its a good idea to try first as some couples simply do not get on with riding one. Yo can borrow mine if yo are anywhere near Edinburgh.