New Tandem

[martinn]

Hi All,

I have just purchased a new (To me) Thorn Voyager Tandem, its, i think a medium/ small. The plan is the Stoker could be either my wife (5"6) or my 5 year old (112cm). I have crank shorteners, and child specific pedals, what i do not have is the stoker stem that would enable a child to use the bars. I have had a look on the internet, but can really understand which set of stoker stems i need.
I wonder if any of the forum members have a child back, or a small built to carry a child, could help out with an idea of the type of stoker stem i would require.

Many thanks
Martin

[Danneaux]

Hi Martin!

Welcome to the Thorn Cycling Forums, and many congratulations on your new tandem. The Voyager is a wonderful bike, sure to provide many happy miles for you and yours to share and enjoy together. There's always something special about a tandem, and I'm delighted you'll be experiencing one firsthand now. Wonderful.

As to your requirements, an adjustable stoker stem appears to be the answer, perhaps coupled with a reversible stoker handlebar that could be angled forward for your wife or -- simply by undoing a couple allen bolts -- reversed so your little one could easily grasp the ends. I've made a custom search of the SJS Cycles' site for you, and it appears all you might need is on this page here: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/page/find/?name=stoker&page=1

The adjustable stoker stem I made for my own tandem looks a lot like this one: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/control-tech-stoker-stem-215-255mm-35-deg-black-prod26604/ , but TiG-welded and fillet-brazed from steel, and with a "steerer" that accepts a standard 22.2mm road-bike quill stem with 50mm extension to hold the handlebars. It works very nicely to accommodate a variety of riders. My stokers prefer drop handlebars, but if I were to employ some "flippable" ones to also accommodate children as suggested above, I would seriously consider using these: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/profile-airwing-(stoker)-base-bar-260-mm-clamp-prod17276/

I hope this helps.

Best wishes for many happy times together on your new pride and joy!

Dan.