Enormous triple tandem in the city

[jrenaut]

So, my kids have pretty much outgrown the longtail. Older daughter’s feet drag on the ground unless I yell at her. I am lusting after something like this triple tandem. What I’m wondering is how this will be riding in the city. Is it maneuverable enough to deal with DC streets, or is this really something for the W&OD or open country roads?

Topic

[hozn]

I was also considering buying that triple tandem. I’m just not sure how many years I’d get out of it. For casual rides (5-10mi), it’s really only the 4yo that would need this, so probably could get a couple years of use. If it we’re more setup as a road bike for longer (30-40mi) rides, that could make sense for either kid. But I don’t think they’d actually choose to do that over riding themselves. So I think I’ve talked myself out of that.

[jrenaut]

None of this helps my decision.

[TwoWheelsDC]

At what point do you just make those lazy moochers ride their own bikes?

[jrenaut]

@TwoWheelsDC 166868 wrote:

At what point do you just make those lazy moochers ride their own bikes?

Lazy isn’t the issue, it’s that it takes twice as long to get to school if they ride because we have to take some sidewalks. If DC would build out the bike network they’re promising…

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Judd]

@TwoWheelsDC 166868 wrote:

At what point do you just make those lazy moochers ride their own bikes?

When DC starts consistently enforcing Traffic Control Plans.

[Judd]

@jrenaut 166867 wrote:

None of this helps my decision.

You should do it. If it doesn’t work out, you could always just sell it to someone else on craigslist.

[dkel]

@jrenaut 166841 wrote:

Is it maneuverable enough to deal with DC streets, or is this really something for the W&OD or open country roads?

Just leave that central hinge unlocked and it’ll corner like a beast.

[LhasaCM]

@jrenaut 166867 wrote:

None of this helps my decision.

Not sure this will help either, but: from a size standpoint, the wheelbase on a triple tandem isn’t that much different from a Bakfiets or other similar cargo bike, though obviously the handling is quite different. I rode a Gazelle Cabby in Chicago a few weekends ago with my 6yo daughter in the basket up front. That bike has about a 9 foot wheelbase (it was similar in length to the triple tandem they also had to rent, and about two feet longer than my ‘normal’ bike with trailercycle setup). We were fine on both the Lake Shore Drive bike/pedestrian path, as well as riding through traffic in downtown; it was maneuverable enough to get around. I imagine if I had more than a day with it, I would’ve felt even more comfortable riding around town.

[hozn]

Yeah, sorry, I wasn’t trying to help you, just letting you know that I decided not to buy it so it’ll still be available [or at least a good chance]

But really, how bad could it be? I mean there are full-length buses that drive down city streets …

I’d be a little terrified of going fast on it with crappy brakes like that, but for city riding it looks pretty awesome.

[jrenaut]

@hozn 166877 wrote:

Yeah, sorry, I wasn’t trying to help you, just letting you know that I decided not to buy it so it’ll still be available [or at least a good chance]

But really, how bad could it be? I mean there are full-length buses that drive down city streets …

I’d be a little terrified of going fast on it with crappy brakes like that, but for city riding it looks pretty awesome.

Yeah, those are Avid BB5s on the back, aren’t they? Those will have to go. And getting discs on the front is just a matter of a new fork and a new wheel, right? Not nothing, but not insurmountable.

[ginacico]

@hozn 166877 wrote:

But really, how bad could it be? I mean there are full-length buses that drive down city streets …

You know your route best. But as long as you’re on streets or bike lanes, maneuverability shouldn’t be too much of an issue. The kids will have to get the hang of starting, stopping, and working with-you-not-against-you on balancing and hills. Just takes some practice, and they’ll feel more like they’re contributing rather than just going along for the ride. Other cyclists will treat you like a loaded semi-truck and give you a lot of clearance.

I only get wigged out in the stoker seat when my pilot attempts some hairpin turn blocked by bollards, or other questionable sketchy nonsense. Don’t do that.

Tandems aren’t for everyone, triples even less so. But somehow I think you could pull this off.

[Judd]

You’d better hurry up and buy it before me, Komorebi and LSG go thirdsies on it.

[hozn]

@jrenaut 166878 wrote:

Yeah, those are Avid BB5s on the back, aren’t they? Those will have to go. And getting discs on the front is just a matter of a new fork and a new wheel, right? Not nothing, but not insurmountable.

Yeah, new fork, new wheel, new brakes. I would probably do TRP Hy/Rd for max (mechanical) stopping power. Certainly nothing insurmountable, but probably doubles the price.

[jrenaut]

I put Shimano hydraulics on the Xtracycle and have been really happy. They’re not too expensive, and I have a friend a few blocks away with a bleed kit.

Wonder if the geometry would work for me if I put drop bars on it…

[Steve O]

Oh, c’mon! Just buy it. You know you want to.
It’s just a rental anyway. After 3-4 years you will sell it to the next person for $580 (upgraded with nicer brakes), and it will only have cost you <$100/year to rent it even with upgrades. A bargain.

[Author]

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