At 3:41 PM -0400 4/20/08, Harvey Sachs wrote:
>Robbie Fellows asks:
>
>and need some ideas on side pull or center pull
>brakes that work on tandems
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Harvey gave some interesting perspective on American tandem practice. Here is what I have learned from the French practice:
Harvey is correct that a "cautious" team will want a third brake. However, I have ridden "rim brake only" tandems extensively on very challenging courses in the Cascade foothills, and never had a problem with overheating rims and tires. I let the tandem roll, and apply the brakes hard only when I need to come to a stop. I checked several times at the bottom of long, steep hills, and the rims were warm to the touch, but nowhere near at the "danger" level. The down side is that you need confidence in your equipment, because it's easy to exceed 50 mph.
If you prefer to brake continuously to keep your speed in check, you do need a third brake. The same probably applies with a camping load, and on very twisty roads, and especially on gravel.
If you want a period drum brake, a Maxi-Car is hard to beat. They were rare in the U.S., but available from importers like Mel Pinto. Today, they are almost unwanted and relatively cheap.
For rim brakes, the Mafac Racers are very useful period brakes that do not require braze-ons. Campagnolo sidepull brakes will "modulate your speed," but on a tandem, that may not be enough.
Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
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Seattle WA 98122
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