It Takes Two for a Tandem Bike
Most of us know what a Tandem is, but we have never really tried riding a tandem bicycle. The name of the tandem bicycle actually comes from the Latin word tandem which refers to the sitting position of two people not side by side, but rather in front and back. Tandem bicycles are designed to be ridden by more than one person, generally two.
Originally the tandem bicycle was made from two separate bicycles where the frames were welded together to build one bicycle. Early patents for Tandems have been known and submitted since the late 1800s. A tandem is nowadays a specialized bicycle and not ridden by too many people. Besides the fact that it is not quite as popular, development and technologies in the bicycle industry make it possible to offer a tandem that is of as high quality as many high end road bikes.
The common design of a tandem has two seats and two pedals. The pedals are usually linked by one chain and therefore the same turning rate is necessary in the back as in the front. The front seat has the turning handles and is therefore for steering the tandem. The back seat often does not have steering power. In a few variations, the back seat might have a separate set of pedal and chains, or the front seat powers the front wheel while the back seat powers the back wheel.
Besides the two seat arrangement, there have been a few oddities such as a triples or quads that can seat three and four people. In one case the British TV channels aired the Goodies who rode a triple seating bicycle called the “trandem”. These versions are rarer than the tandem and usually are custom made to specifications from the buyer.
The tandem ride can be much fun for couples and if you are interested in having a ride on a tandem, try a rental service. Some bike rental services offer tandems for rental as an added vacation fun package. Tandems are often used by couples on fun and relaxing bike rides. Sometimes parents who have a tandem use the tandem and put their child that is old enough to ride a bicycle, but maybe not old enough to cover long distances on the back seat. This way, they parent can do the most work and the kid can relax when needed. An added benefit when riding a tandem is the fact that the person that does not have to steer can watch the surroundings and the scenery better, just like when you are sitting next to the driver in the car. Of course you still have to support the front steering person with your pedaling because he or she does not want to pedal you through the world.
And as the name tandem indicates, it takes two to ride a tandem. Tandems are built sturdier to support the weight of two persons and therefore more energy is needed to pedal them up and down hills. In the beginning it might take some time to get used to the riding at the same pace and also to the getting of the ground and rolling without falling, but once that is mastered, riding a tandem can be much fun and pleasure for the team.
Starting at an incline is what most beginning riders have problems with. This is something you will have to practice a while, as well as the feeling when going through a curve. If one person leans farther in the curve, the other might get scared a little and pull back and this can throw the bicycle over and both riders will fall. But these are skill that can be learned fast and easy with some practice before going on a tandem cycling trip. It is with any new skill that you want to learn, besides that for this one you essentially already know how to ride a bicycle and only need to adapt your skills to the tandem.
