Can you ride a tandem bike alone

While it takes a little while to get used to it, there is a great deal of technique involved to get the hang of the whole enchilada. There are a few strategies and tips that you should know about before mounting a tandem for the first time.

The key to riding a tandem effectively and without much hassle is building a good team. A good team is more than the sum of its parts. Tandem riders are generally referred to as the captain the rider in front and the stoker the rider in the back. The captain handles pedaling, steering, braking, and basically everything else that relates to bike handling.

This is achieved by paying attention to how you and your partner move, accelerate, stop and carry out other basic bike handling functions. Here are some useful tips and techniques for the captain and the stoker to synchronize their pedaling efforts effectively.

For others, it can come naturally and feel just like a normal bike. Regardless of which group you fall into, there are a few tricks and tips that help you get the most out of the bikes made for two. Sure, it takes a little bit of time to figure it out, but once you get the hang of it, you and your partner will have a blast.

The most important thing is to work together as a team and perform all movements gently in unison. Communication is also vital and involves developing a special level of verbal and nonverbal communication, notifying each other about every possible change during riding through every step.

This simply does not allow for a strong push off and will make your start much more wobbly! Captains often hesitate to get going and start pawing the ground like a horse, in a rather comical effort to move the bike forward.

Again, this is a command that the captain gives to the stoker. It is used when you are approaching an intersection or when coming to a stop to rest, etc. Without this command, the stoker will not know when to stop pedaling and will fight the captain who is trying to stop the bike. When you bring the bike to a stop, there is no need for the stoker to put a foot down or to get off the saddle. In fact, for most tandem riders, the stoker stays seated with both feet on the pedals at stops and lights.

This allows tandem riders to easily get started again, as the stoker is in the ready position described previously. A good tandem captain will call out the bumps in the road to the stoker. Even the very best tandem captain on earth will miss the occasional bump in the road. A suspension seatpost goes a L-O-N-G way in helping the stoker take those bumps the captain has missed. We recommend that captains call out shifts to the stoker. Most people know that when shifting a bike you should not push hard against the pedals.

You need the granny when the going gets tough and you are heading uphill. The stoker responds by soft-pedaling until the shift has occurred. Unfortunately, we have had customers do all of these things. It is operator error. We live in the Rockies and enjoy riding hills. We often comment on how FEW tandem teams we see standing while climbing hills on their tandems. Standing is an advanced tandem skill that we encourage all teams to learn after they have had their bikes for a while.

It allows you to move around on the bike and wards off the fatigue of being stuck in the same position on the bike for too long. We often have stokers tell us that they are not comfortable standing while riding and so neither the captain nor stoker stands. This will cause early fatigue for the captain who must steer the tandem with the weight of two people.

A captain who does not stand while on a long ride will be a very tired captain indeed. To all the stokers out there who are not at ease with their captains standing, we say this: stokers, give your captains a break;, learn to stand! To start, try standing for a few pedal strokes to get used to the feeling.

To practice standing, find a nice flat area where there is a straightaway with little traffic. Once you are cycling at a good pace, the captain gears up, as though the terrain were getting steeper. When we stand together, we typically gear up 2 shifts. The stoker should watch the captain and stand simultaneously.

If you have actually read this entire page, by this time, you might be a bit overwhelmed. The hardest thing about riding a tandem is those first few starts and stops. With a little practice and patience, you will be pedaling along happily, enjoying cycling in a whole new way.

We have taught thousands of customers to ride tandem. We know you can do this! One final thought on riding together: most tandem riders are couples that really enjoy the time spent together on their bike. To all those captains out there, we would like to pass along a few words of stoker wisdom. The captain has the control on a tandem. For example, if the captain took the bike down a hill too fast and made the stoker feel unsafe, the stoker should speak up.

If the stoker stood up to pedal and shook the bike too much, the captain should say so. After so many miles, this can get on your nerve and will eventually lead to an argument.

This is a common problem for some couples. Maintaining this level of communication can get annoying at times. Sometimes you just want to pedal along in silence. Sometimes you simply forget to communicate something to your partner. When a tandem bike goes down, both riders go down with it. It is possible that both riders get injured during a crash.

The bike could also get damaged. This can be a safety issue. For example, if one or both riders were badly injured in the crash and the bike was damaged, there is no way for one rider to go get help for the other. When you ride separate bikes, the rider who did not crash can go get help.

It is unlikely for two separate bikes to fail catastrophically or crash at the same time. Tandems tend to be slow going up hills. Coordinating your pedaling while climbing can be a challenge. If you have to stop going up a hill, it can be particularly difficult to get going again.

The best solution to this is to ride often, grow stronger, and improve your skill. This issue is usually skill-related. Experienced riders can actually climb faster on a tandem than on a solo bike because two riders can create more power. Gain as much speed as you can going down one hill and let it carry you as far as possible up the next.

This can get frustrating. Pedal strike can be a problem as well when the terrain is bumpy or rocky. That said, there are tandem bikes available that are designed to be ridden off-road. These are basically tandem mountain bikes.

These models feature wide tires and extra strong wheels. Some models feature a full suspension system. Tandems need to fit two riders.

This makes the chance of finding a bike that fits both you and your riding partner much lower. You may need to adjust stem lengths and swap out the handlebars to make the bike fit. One rider may need to make a compromise on the way the bike fits. It is much more important for a tandem to fit the front rider than the rear rider. The front rider needs to be able to straddle the frame with their feet spread wide and flat on the ground so they can safely balance the bike while stopped.

They also need to be able to comfortably and efficiently control the bike. Frame geometry and handlebar position are important. Ideally, the front rider should sit in the same position that they would while riding a solo bike. If you have a comfortable road bike, you should try to replicate that fit on your tandem.

Probably the most important measurements for a tandem frame are the top tube and head tube because these cannot be adjusted. For more info on stem length and steering, check out this guide. When it comes to the stoker, the fit is a bit less important. The stoker does need to be able to pedal efficiently and powerfully and feel comfortable. You can also adjust the seat height and position.

In some cases, the only way to get a perfect fit for both riders is to order a custom made tandem. This may also be necessary if one rider is significantly taller than the other. Of course, the drawback is that custom bikes are expensive. This can be an issue while touring. In this case, the tandem becomes a burden.

You also have to ride the same route as your riding partner and ride for the same amount of time as your riding partner. The stoker, in particular, has very little independence. Maybe neither you nor your riding partner want to be a stoker. Maybe you both want to control your own bike.

Both riders rely on one another to keep each other safe. If one rider makes a mistake or has poor judgment, both riders can suffer. For example, the captain could take a hill too fast and ride into a ditch. The stoker could shift their weight at the wrong time and cause the bike to wobble or swerve.

When riding a tandem, both riders have to move their feet to change the position of the crank arms and pedals. You want the crank arms to be horizontal or the pedal facing the inside of the turn to be up. This is particularly important while riding downhill at high speeds. A pedal strike could cause you to crash. One solution is to plan a foot position for coasting. For example, maybe you agree to hold the cranks horizontal with your right foot facing forward whenever you coast.

This will greatly reduce the likelihood of pedal strikes while coasting and descending hills. Of course, this only works if your pedaling is synchronized in-phase pedaling. Sometimes you may simply want a break from your riding partner. Spending so many hours with someone can get tiring.

Maybe you had a disagreement and you just want to ride alone for a while. Also, there is no solitude when you ride a tandem. You are constantly chatting back and forth. Many tandem riders also own a solo bike so they can ride alone if they choose. One rider can easily make a minor mistake and upset the other. For example, maybe the captain forgets to tell the stoker about a bump and causes the stoker some discomfort.

Maybe the stoker shifted their weight while reaching for an energy bar and caused the bike to wobble. Over time, all of these small mistakes could lead to an argument and ruin your ride.

One way to reduce the likelihood of disagreements is for the captain to take all of the blame. If the stoker stays happy, most likely the captain will stay happy as well. Good communication also goes a long way to prevent arguments. For the benefit of your relationship, it may be best to ride two separate bikes.

There is nothing wrong with this. On a tandem, both sets of cranks must turn at the same rate. This is necessary due to the design of tandem bikes. Both cranks are connected with a timing chain so they cannot turn independently. This means both riders must ride at the same cadence.

This can be challenging for teams that have different levels of cycling skill. For example, an experienced cyclist may prefer to ride at a cadence of 80rpm.

Their less experienced partner may feel more comfortable riding at 60rpm. One rider will have to compromise. Most likely, the experienced cyclist will have to slow down a bit.

With practice, the less experienced rider should be able to cycle at a higher cadence over time. This can be a problem while touring. Another factor that limits spontaneity is transporting the bike.

You have to plan ahead. You can only look to the sides. The drawback is that you miss those big panoramic views where the road opens up.

You might miss some wildlife spotings. Some stokers try to lean to the side to get a clearer view of the road ahead. Sometimes you just want to blend in and not be bothered. This is difficult when riding a tandem because the bike draws so much attention.

People will point at you and stare. When you ride two separate bikes, you can blend in. That said, touring bikes loaded with panniers always draw attention. Tandems look a bit goofy. They remind people of the extra-long bikes clowns ride in the circus. Some people think tandems look a bit cheesy. Particularly if both riders are dressed the same. As mentioned earlier, riding a tandem is a bit different than riding a solo bike. Some tandem skills take a bit of time to develop. It will also take some time for you to get to know your riding partner, their style of riding, and their preferences.

For this reason, you need to be able to get the bike up to maneuvering speed quickly so the front rider can safely steer and control the bike. Both riders need to cooperate and do their jobs to get the bike moving safely and quickly. The first couple of times you start off, this process will feel a bit complicated and awkward. After a couple of tries, it becomes second nature. You may also vary the above process a bit to find a routine that works better for you and your partner.

For example, maybe you prefer to start with your left foot. This is only possible if the frame is small enough that the rear rider can reach the ground while seated.

When the captain needs to stop the bike, they should communicate this action with the stoker. Both riders should stop pedaling and the captain should apply the brakes as they normally would. If the captain needs to stop fast, they should apply the brakes immediately and tell the stoker that they are stopping.

This gives the stoker a bit more time to respond and stop pedaling. While slowing to a stop, the captain needs to keep the bike as upright as possible. If the bike leans too far, the captain may not be able to support the weight of the stoker and bike when stopped. The captain also needs to remember to unclip both feet before the bike comes to a complete stop if they are using clipless pedals. They should place their feet wide apart on the ground when stopped. During the stop, the stoker should center their weight as much as possible.

This makes it easier for the captain to balance the bike when it comes to a stop. Generally, the stoker will remain with their feet on the pedals until the captain tells them to put their feet down. Sometimes the stoker may need to put a foot down to prevent the bike from falling over. Once the bike is stable, the rear rider can hop off first. If one rider wants to coast, they must tell the other rider.

This is necessary because, on a tandem, both riders must coast or pedal together because the cranks are connected with a timing chain. Both riders should agree on a default coasting pedal position. Ideally, the cranks should be horizontal. This reduces the likelihood of a pedal strike while leaning into a corner. After one rider announces that they want to coast, both riders should stop pedaling at the default pedal position. You may need to make a couple more revolutions before stopping pedaling in the correct position.

Generally, less experienced cyclists like to coast more often than experienced cyclists. This could be because the speed or cadence is too high or the rider is simply feeling fatigued. Experienced cyclists prefer to continue pedaling to maintain their rhythm and keep their legs warmed up. When one rider wants to coast, the other should agree. There are a couple of ways to avoid coasting excessively. The captain can upshift into a harder gear if the cadence is too high.

They can slow down if the speed is too high. When one rider is ready to start pedaling again, they can inform the other and both riders can resume pedaling. On a tandem, the captain is responsible for shifting the gears. You need to shift a bit more frequently while riding a tandem than a solo bike. You may need to start in a low gear then shift through gears to get the bike up to cruising speed.

This is necessary because a tandem is so much heavier than a solo bike. This allows the stoker to prepare for a change of cadence. After announcing a gear change, both riders should momentarily take some pressure off the pedals while continuing to spin.

The captain should shift at this time. Reducing pressure on the pedals makes the shift smoother and reduces the likelihood of grinding gears. The drivetrain will last longer as a result. Shifting a tandem takes a bit of practice but becomes natural over time. This makes it easier to start off again.

Tandems can reach incredibly high speeds going down hills. This is possible because a tandem has nearly twice the kinetic energy of a solo bike due to the extra weight of the second rider. A skilled team can reach speeds in excess of 60 mph.

While descending on a tandem, you need to take care to avoid pedal strikes and avoid overheating your brakes. A pedal strike at speed could cause the bike to slide out from under you. There are a couple of techniques you can use to avoid pedal strike. The simplest solution is to move the cranks into the horizontal position while descending. Another solution is to move the pedals as you corner. Both riders need to coordinate the pedal movement.

Another common problem you will encounter while descending with your tandem is overheated brakes. Due to the weight of the bike and riders, tandem brakes create a massive amount of friction. This builds up in the form of heat. If you use rim brakes, the pad rubbing against the rim can cause the rim to overheat.

This can cause your tire to blow out. A blowout can also damage your tire. Worst case, you could crash. If you use disc brakes, the pads can overheat and become soft. This causes braking performance to fade. With hydraulic disc brakes, the hydraulic fluid in the brake lines can get hot enough to boil. When this happens, you will lose the ability to stop. There are a couple of ways to reduce the likelihood of your brakes overheating while descending on a tandem.

First, you can stop to let them cool down mid descent. Next, you can brake less and descend at higher speeds. The air passing over your brake calipers and rotors helps to keep them cool. You can also install a drum brake for descending. These can dissipate heat better and do not overheat as quickly as rim and disc brakes. Most tandem teams include one rider who is an experienced cyclist and one who is less experienced. This is common when couples or parents and children ride together.

One problem you can run into is that the more experienced rider will want to ride at a higher cadence than the less experienced rider. The captain, who is the more experienced cyclist, gets to select cadence by selecting which gear to use. Experienced cyclists prefer to ride in a lower gear at a higher cadence because it is more efficient and easier on the knees. The problem is that it can be difficult for an inexperienced cyclist to keep their legs moving fast enough.

Inexperienced cyclists tend to pedal slower in a higher gear. For example, a strong cyclist may ride at a cadence of 90rpm while a new cyclist may ride at a cadence of 60rpm. Pedaling too fast can cause discomfort for a new cyclist. If necessary, the captain must be the one to change their cadence to accommodate the stoker.

The captain will have to pedal at a slower rpm and select a gear that is comfortable for the stoker to pedal. At the same time, the stoker should work on improving their skill and technique so they can spin at a higher cadence.

After all, it is a healthier and more efficient technique. Over time, most teams strike a compromise and cadence becomes a non-issue. New tandem riders often find climbing to be slow going. This is usually caused by different cadence preferences which cause a coordination difficulty. This motion also uses a different set of muscles and allows you to use your body weight to pedal.

In addition, it gives you the chance to relieve pressure from your sit bones and give them a break for a while. Standing is an advanced technique in tandem riding. This is necessary because it is challenging to stand and pedal smoothly without causing the bike to lean, sway, or lose balance. Many riders have a tenancy to lean the bike from side to side while standing and pedaling on a solo bike. Both riders must trust one another and be able to coordinate themselves with one another before they can stand and pedal.

Before standing up, you should let the other rider know your intentions. The captain should hold the handlebars steady and both riders should pedal smoothly. Once both riders indicate that they are ready, either one or both can slowly and steadily stand up. While standing the rider should pedal smoothly and remain centered over the bike.