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Rolhoff's on tandems

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leechy:
Sounds like the opening line of a Julie Andrews song.

Well, like peaches and cream, assault and battery, etc, Rolhoffs and Tandems seem like perfect partners, so how come I've not read anything about them anywhere other than Rolhoff reckon that they'll shrug off the best efforts of two well honed athletes and their 32 spoke wheels with no dishing will be stronger than a 9 speed.

My current well used voyager is now feeling rather small for my wife and I - now the cherubs are self propelled on solos. It will be most interesting to hear people's views and experience as I contemplate a replacement.

Not sure which section this should be in...

Team Triplet:
Strangley enough - when we visited SJS in May and June, they had a Rolhoff tandem on display.  It had a 3.5K price tag.  I gather it was not shown at Tandem 2004 on Friday, which I presumme means its been sold.

The only downsides I see on the Rolhoff tandem are:

1. the only third brake option is a disc or additional rim brakes.  It depends on the intended use if that would be a problem.
2. Whilst I believe what Rolhoff says for 32 spokes being suitable for a tandem, I am only convienced that would be the case on smooth road surfaces only.  I like to take the tandem over the same rough terrain I ride my half bikes, and have taken the tandem loaded for cycle camping over such tracks as well.

On the positive front having got a half bike with Rolhoff hub, I wonder why they concept wasn't thought of years ago.  

leechy:
Interesting, wonder where that one went, need to owner to get typing...

I doubt we'd be hitting any rough stuff on a tandem, though it would be nice to think we'll do a big tour on it some day, sticking mainly to day rides. Its the maintenance aspect and not needing to pratt about with front and back changers which appeals to me. 3.5 smackers doesn't appeal, though!

Previous Majestic Two had a drum break,  which I liked, but find the Voyager with Vs plenty powerful for all but the steepest of downhills, and certainly better for emergencies. Block life is frustrating so maybe a disc up front would be better, though no experience of discs. I've heard pad life is quite good...

chrispayne:
Apparently SJS are going to release a Rohloff tandem for approx £1600 in January, I cant wait...... Robin Thorn told me this when I was on the phone to him a week ago - discussing how the heck I can get a 650B tandem wheel rebuilt................

I think the Rohloff will be excellent on a Tandem - the only planning I can see I would need to get right is the gear range. My Raven is fractionally undergeared (my own fault I specified the chainwheel and sprockets 38x17). I find I spend most time in gear 12 - it should be gear 11 (the most efficient gear) - so at the next opportunity will switch probably to 40x16 to move the range up a notch. I remember from a 3000K tandem tour we did 20 years ago how useful a high gear can be on long descents, or even on the flat with a following wind. I need for us to get out on our tandem and note our fast "comfort gear" and pick the ratios to place that at 11. Even so I suspect we wont get an upper gear much above 100 inches.

Does anybody have any observation about whether a tandem cruising gear tends to be higher than a solo?

marcg:
OK, now the Rohloff tandem story is out, what is going to be the spec of it.  Does anyone know anything about it?

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