somervillebikes
Bike Friday Family Tandem: Maiden Voyage
First tandem ride with my six year old stoker! Somehow the bike doesn't quite live up to its 36" stoker compatibility (she's 45", but perhaps her legs are short), but the crank shorteners do the trick! As a rule, I don't ever ride in public parks, but as a maiden voyage, I wanted a few spins around on the soft grass before venturing out on the cruel streets.
The verdict: this bike is SO stable and confidence-inspiring. The stoker's low saddle position keeps the center of gravity so low that the bike is almost as easy to balance as a regular bike. This also allows the stoker to mount and dismount the bike all on her own, something not possible with a traditional tandem converted for use with a child stoker. Both captain and stoker effortlessly completed our first 5-mile ride, including the final climb back to our house.
UPDATE: The tandem has gotten some revisions and improvements, notably fenders, lighting, panniers, new drivetrain, and most importantly: a trailercycle hitch! I now have two stokers to help me along:
www.flickr.com/photos/7516215@N03/5154691533/in/set-72157...
www.flickr.com/photos/7516215@N03/5154737435/in/set-72157...
Bike Friday Family Tandem: Maiden Voyage
First tandem ride with my six year old stoker! Somehow the bike doesn't quite live up to its 36" stoker compatibility (she's 45", but perhaps her legs are short), but the crank shorteners do the trick! As a rule, I don't ever ride in public parks, but as a maiden voyage, I wanted a few spins around on the soft grass before venturing out on the cruel streets.
The verdict: this bike is SO stable and confidence-inspiring. The stoker's low saddle position keeps the center of gravity so low that the bike is almost as easy to balance as a regular bike. This also allows the stoker to mount and dismount the bike all on her own, something not possible with a traditional tandem converted for use with a child stoker. Both captain and stoker effortlessly completed our first 5-mile ride, including the final climb back to our house.
UPDATE: The tandem has gotten some revisions and improvements, notably fenders, lighting, panniers, new drivetrain, and most importantly: a trailercycle hitch! I now have two stokers to help me along:
www.flickr.com/photos/7516215@N03/5154691533/in/set-72157...
www.flickr.com/photos/7516215@N03/5154737435/in/set-72157...