[Sportsandrec] Tandems with S&S couplers

[Ron & the bears]

I helped a guy build an S&S coupled bike from the suitcases. He was looking 
at buying it from an owner who hadn't ridden it in a few years. It stayed in 
the cases that entire time.

I think his tandem had six couplers, so it broke down into really little 
pieces. It took us an afternoon, because it was our first time and we were 
being very careful with someone else's bike. With twice the normal number of 
couplers, it seemed a little more technical, but it was like a puzzle that 
we had to put together with Allen wrenches. It took time to study the parts 
and lay them out. Once the bike was together, we took it out for a brief, 
but intense test ride. We did a few sprints and climbed some steep hills. 
The bike felt great and I fell in love with it. I had never ridden with that 
guy before, but we clicked as a team in minutes if not instantly. They did 
not buy that particular bike, but ordered a new Co-Motion instead.

The build up was not anything you could not learn, though. It would be fun 
to bring a tandem to convention and have a hands on clinic in my room. I 
will not be there in Detroit this year. I am of the opinion that whoever 
pays for the bike should know some basics about working on it. When in a 
hurry, I have handed wrenches to pilots to adjust their position on the 
front of my bike. I have less than impressive results from that experience 
and had to get things repaired. I tell people that I would prefer to change 
their pedals or set them up. This way, if I mess it up, than I am the guy 
who pays the bill at the shop. They understand.

I think, though, that after a few break downs and build-ups that it would 
take 30 minutes to an hour to get it ready to ride. Break down may take less 
time, but remembering how to precisely pack it into that small space may 
take more time. Many owners take pictures, or look at them on the web. I 
would not have that option, but would just have to study my bike in the case 
a lot before building it up. At nationals one year, I was talking with a pro 
mechanic. We both agreed that when we pack our non-coupled bikes, we never 
do it the same way twice. I seem to memorize a lot of things anyway, like 
phone numbers in my cell phone. I never spent the $300 to make my phone 
talk.

Best,

Ron & the Dad is skimping on the Talks to fight off dementia bears
Austin, TX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lori M. Miller" <lori at asmodean.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 11:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Tandems with S&S couplers


: Ug, 2 lbs. Hmm, but the convenience is very tempting considering the
: exponential expense of flying tandems.
:
: Is the break down and reassembly manageable or very technical?
:
:
: Lori 



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