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Coupled tandems

John Pound2025-06-17 19:39:35
We have been looking at a couped tandem has anybody had or got one, what are they like to transport, assembly and use ? Are they worth the extra 
Stephen Gray2025-06-17 21:04:32

If you are talking about S&S couplings then they are fairly easy to use. Uncoupling for transport is fairly easy. Re-coupling can be a little more tricky and will probably require two people to do it (one to operate the couplings the other to support one of the uncouple sections)

 You need to make sure any cables that cross the coupling points also have cable splitters/couplers.

The tandem will ride just the same as if it didn't have couplings.

Think carefully about where the couplings are though. A lot of coupled tandems leave frame tubes with no support at the coupled end of one of the "halves" when uncoupled. Our does. This is OK but care is required to ensure that the frame tubes are not displaced or "levered" when transporting.

If the bike design allows you to split down to two triangles with joining tubes in between that will be more transportable for flying and for such designs a flight case is often available. Such designs usually require  two or more additional couplings so that can make it significantly more expensive.

If you are just wanting to split to transport in a vehicle then designs with two couplings (or 3 if you have a cross tube) would be OK.

Hope that helps. If you have any specific questions when comparing models and coupling placements, just ask and I am sure I or someone will get back to you. If I can I will take a photo of ours couple and uncouple over the next couple of days.

if anyone has a design that splits down to front and rear triangles with coupled middle tubes, perhaps they could post a photo too......

 

Stephen Gray2025-06-17 21:04:32

If you are talking about S&S couplings then they are fairly easy to use. Uncoupling for transport is fairly easy. Re-coupling can be a little more tricky and will probably require two people to do it (one to operate the couplings the other to support one of the uncouple sections)

 You need to make sure any cables that cross the coupling points also have cable splitters/couplers.

The tandem will ride just the same as if it didn't have couplings.

Think carefully about where the couplings are though. A lot of coupled tandems leave frame tubes with no support at the coupled end of one of the "halves" when uncoupled. Our does. This is OK but care is required to ensure that the frame tubes are not displaced or "levered" when transporting.

If the bike design allows you to split down to two triangles with joining tubes in between that will be more transportable for flying and for such designs a flight case is often available. Such designs usually require  two or more additional couplings so that can make it significantly more expensive.

If you are just wanting to split to transport in a vehicle then designs with two couplings (or 3 if you have a cross tube) would be OK.

Hope that helps. If you have any specific questions when comparing models and coupling placements, just ask and I am sure I or someone will get back to you. If I can I will take a photo of ours couple and uncouple over the next couple of days.

if anyone has a design that splits down to front and rear triangles with coupled middle tubes, perhaps they could post a photo too......