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Just that really.
Can't find any mention of tandems on the TNR so I'm guessing it hasn't been done before, but has anyone here done it and have any advice on how feasible it is? Website states hikeabike may well be necessary, but surely that's still possible with a tandem - there'll be two of us pushing after all!
A more general tandem query would be what is best for gravel-capable on a budget? MrsDoGGG wouldn't entertain MTB in any form (tried it in good faith, just not for her), so a full MTB tandem would be overkill, but I'm guessing your average roadie frame would flex itself to death or us to terror?
We're members of the tandem club. They'll give you great advice.
nbt has got a gravel tandem bike (Orbit Routier - I think) for sale in the classified now. If you're anywhere near Stockport/ High Peak you're very welcome to come and try it.
Full MTB tandem makes for a very good gravel bike Hardtail is fine. Starting point would be a Dawes double edge with a nice strong suspension fork. I have a 26" wheel fork modified for tandem use that I could sell. Disc brakes pretty much essential in my view and a Sus fork is pretty important as its hard to lift the front wheel over stuff
I wouldn't attempt gravel riding on a road tandem
These are good folk with great knowledge
Mrs TJ and I used to do a lot of offroad on our tandem - from Glentress red to wandering around the countryside. Hikabike is a bit more of a pain than with a half bike 🙂 But very possible
Go for it, there's a First to be had there : ) There's road alternatives to the 2 hike-a-bike sections. The first h-a-b would be difficult with a full length tandem, it's a steep switch-backed carry towards the top, 2600m up. The second one might be ok ..might.. but again it's a bit tight in places.
Another thought - suspension seatpost for the stoker
rule number one of tandeming.. the pilots job is to keep the stoker happy. there is no rule 2
Speak to Rich and Shona at keepedalling in Manchester, they’ve done the Highland Trail and the Silk Road Race on a tandem
At a glance it looks pretty rideable. My wife and I did the TransRockies on a hardtail tandem back in the day. You may want to practice a bit for any hike a bike sections but it looks like a great route!
And yeah, the stoker will be happier with a suspension post if you're not on full suss.
🥰 thanks guys, this is proper exciting 😁
We use Thudbuster seatposts on both of our tandems.
@nbt sweet - would one be included with the Orbit? If not have you tried the alternatives? I saw one for £30 new, and surely it can't be as good as something that costs £200... But how much better is the TB?
Thudbusters have a parallellogam so no sticktion or bounce. Far superior to telescopic ones
Sorry I’ve only just picked up the second, I’ve been swapping one seat post whenever we decided to use the other bike. I’ve actually got a friend interested in my tandem and I’ve promised him first call on it, he’s away this week, but regardless you are welcome to come over and try out tandeming: it’s not for everyone so you may want to try it before diving in. They do say a tandem is a relationship scenario accelerator: wherever your relationship is going, a tandem will get you there faster 😜
we’ve been riding tandem for over a decade and love it. Friends tried it and realised it wasn’t for them. Others took one look and said “No way”
as tj says, the thudbuster design is great, and the elastomers can be swapped to tune the post for rider weight. Worth checking out of you are going to put serious miles in. They go for around £100 on eBay, you might be lucky like I was and get one cheaper if you watch
Speak to Rich and Shona at keepedalling in Manchester, they’ve done the Highland Trail and the Silk Road Race on a tandem
They also did TNR on regular bikes, I assume it wasn't because the tandem wasn't suitable since HT550 and SRMR are more technical routes.
Hah, yeah, I can totally see the rship acceleration factor! We used to do acrobalance together which sounds pretty similar in that poor communication can lead to broken noses, accidentally, usually 😜
Very kind of you to offer a trial - I'll DM my number
I'm guessing we'd get something cheaper to see how we get on, and hopefully it'll be a shared passion and we get to go full fancy MTB-ready goodness for TNR and other extreme adventures ❤️
<p style="text-align: left;">Thanks for all the kind advice all!</p>
I did the TNR in July and would say a tandem should be okay, except for maybe a few exceptions:
- the Colle del Collombardo is rocky and steep (14%+) so riding up on a tandem would be a technical challenge, I suspect. Maybe doable though.
- the Gardetta refuge section had snow drifts that required us to carry the bikes across, which was a tad hairy as they had steep drops off the side. Again, you should be okay, and maybe the snow has gone now anyway.
- the Col de Tende road climb was closed for resurfacing, so we had to push up a steep grassy piste instead. That would be horrid with a tandem. The resurfacing is probably done now though.
Everything else should be rideable I reckon. The 'road of boulders' will jangle the hell out of you, and take proper low gears 😉
the Colle del Collombardo is rocky and steep (14%+) so riding up on a tandem would be a technical challenge, I suspect. Maybe doable though.
Steep is less of a problem on tandem thanks to the long wheelbase, though you do need the power to propel the beast uphill. Add in rocks making line choice tricky and you may have issues
more than you wanted to know about riding a tandem in proper big hills. You’ll have to push a bit but with the right mindset it’s all doable 😉
This forum never ceases to amaze me with it's valuable wealth of knowledge!