Tandem bike possible with large rider in Stoker position

[unfdad]

I am new to forums, and to this site, so please forgive anything not done correctly.  My brother (who is vision impaired) and myself are considering taking up long distance bicycling touring next year when we retire and I have a couple questions I'm hoping that can answered to let me know if this is possible for us.

My brother is 6' 4" tall, his weight is in the mid 190's, and I believe his inseam is 36”.  I am 5' 10.5" tall, my weight is in low 190's, and my inseam is 30.5”.  Since I have good vision I would need to ride in the front seat position and my brother would be riding behind me. 

•   Can a bike be configured to handle this size difference? 
•   Any suggestion on what manufacturer would be a good quality bike to look into?
•   My brother lives near Rochester, NY and I live in Jacksonville, FL…any suggestion for bike shops to check out in either of our areas?  If not then anywhere on the east coast between us?
•   Any thoughts on what we should expect to spend for a good quality bike?
•   How hard is it to transport a tandem bike?
•   Can a BOB trailer be used to pull camping gear and should a single or double wheeled trailer be considered?

Thanks for any thoughts you may be able to offer,

Don Bidleman

[John Nelson]

I have a friends in a similar situation. They do successfully ride a tandem together, but they had to get it custom made by Co-Motion, one of the best tandem manufacturers. Standard off-the-shelf tandems are almost always designed for a larger captain than stoker.

http://www.co-motion.com/index.php/tandems/general/custom

If you go this route, it is best if you work with a bike shop to get the measurements to custom fit you. If the bike shops are willing to work with each other, you should each be able to go to your own local bike shop. I'd recommend you visit one of the Co-Motion dealers in your area. You can find one by clicking on the "Find Dealer" link at the above cited web site.

There are a lot of options depending on whether you want couplers, belt drive, Rohloff hub, etc. Plan to spend in the $3000-$6000 range, maybe more if you go fancy.

Tandem bikes can fit on standard rear hitch racks, usually with the wheels removed to make them shorter. They can also be transported on the roofs of SUVs or station wagons. You can fly with a tandem by breaking it down if you get couplers, but it takes a long time to disassemble and reassemble, and you should buy the fairly pricey cases they sell. It will take two cases to hold it.

AFAIK, there's no problem pulling a trailer with a tandem. You can also use panniers if you prefer.

[unfdad]

Gosh John,

Certainly appreciate the great info and quick response.  Did not understand "There are a lot of options depending on whether you want couplers, belt drive, Rohloff hub, etc."...can you explain what options I should look for and consider to make our touring an enjoyable experience.  Also, do both people on a tandem have to peddle at the same cadance or can a bike be set up where one can peddle at a difference cadance...or even coast while the other person continues to peddle.

Thanks again!

Don

[pdlamb]

You might also want to look at the Bilenky Viewpoint tandem -- see http://www.bilenky.com/#!viewpoint/cb9e.�

[John Nelson]

Most tandems are set up so that both people pedal at the same cadence.

It's best to get a bike shop to help you through all the decisions to find what's right for you. You can also study the information available on the Co-Motion web site. You usually pick a base model from their standard selection and then select the options from there. Check out the Co-Motion Speedster line. It might be what you want. You might want a bit wider tires. The custom sizing adds $450 to the price. Couplers, if you need to travel by air, adds another $2000 and the travel case another $720. Racks add $250. The Thudbuster $140. You're above $9000 now. You don't need them, but you might want to go farther and get the belt drive and Rohloff hub.

[unfdad]

Wow, see this can get really involved but sounds like there are many options out there.  I did find a bike shop that's 38 miles from my brother's house that does sell, recommends, and can customize the Co-Motion bike and said it's possible to fit our situation.  I am flying up there this Aug for family reunion and will take my brother there to talk with them.

I have a good bike rack so can take the tires off and carry a tandem...but would ultimately like to do a long slow X-country ride across the northern section of US with my brother and would I be correct in assuming that the bike shop we purchase the bike from could take a box they receive new bikes in and ship our bike to a bike shop somewhere out on the west coast where we could pick it up to start our adventure?

Thanks again,

Don

[John Nelson]

Sure, you can ship anything.

[DaveB]

One tandem team couple in my Bike Club has the same situation you describe, the man is vision impaired so the wife  is the stoker with the expected size and weight differential.  They seem to have no problems with their tandem.

I don't know if you need a custom tandem or just a long MTB-type seatpost in the stoker position and a very short stoke stem to give your brother enough reach.   Co-Motion does make a tandem with a three section stoker seatpost that telescopes over a huge range of heights.  It was originally designed to allow a small child to ride with an adult without a "kid-back" crank set and then adjust upward as the child reached adulthood.  Perhaps a variation on that frame would work.

[unfdad]

Thanks Dave,

Now understanding that this will be possible for our situation and looks like there are many options to explore.  I appreciate everyone's thoughts and look forward to anything else that I might learn from.

Don

[yumadons]

Don, last year my Don & I were riding in San Diego & came across the Blind Stokers doing a 2-day ride. They were so nice to us on our plain two bikes, I'd call or email someone there & pick their brain:

http://blindstokersclub.org/BSC_website/Homepage.html