2006-07-02 05:05:54 · 7 answers · asked by quinidine 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
The heavier person works out better on the front, but most frames are set-up for the taller person in front regardless of weight.
Normal recreational tandems are usually designed for a male/female team to ride the bike putting the heavier/stronger person in the front. Racing tandems are a bit different depending if they are used for track sprinting or road racing and if it's a mixed team or same gender team.
I have seen track tandem teams with the better sprinter on the back of the bike and I have seen road racing teams where there seems to be very little difference in the riders. The Nelson Vails/Scott Berryman team was great to watch. They were/are a couple of neat guys and both were talented track cyclists.
The answer to your question is the more experienced Captain should sit in the front and the rider should learn to work together. Put the power into the drivetrain at the same time. Learn when to spin and when to mash on the pedals. Talk to each other at first and use the gears. Before long it won't matter who is stronger.
Have fun!
2006-07-05 03:42:10 · answer #1 · answered by frieburger 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the person with more bike handleing experience and heavier/stronger should be in the front. I have a tandem and we ride and travel with it frequently, both have to pedal at the same cadence, but the view in the back is great because you dont have to watch the rode ;-).
2006-07-04 01:38:25 · answer #2 · answered by aa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the stoker's energy is transmitted a little bit more efficiently to the rear wheel than is the captain's due to not having to use the crossover for power transfer. I'm not totally sure on this though as I have only a little experience on a tandem.
2006-07-02 13:56:59 · answer #3 · answered by Ron Allen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strong person sits on the front, cause more than likely the person in the back isnt doing anything anyhow...lol.
2006-07-02 12:08:16 · answer #4 · answered by TJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
really doesnt matter..
its the weight really, if heavy person. should be in middle.
typically the stronger person can sit anywhere, the key is comfort, because doesnt matter where u sit, the stronger person will still pedal more and harder
2006-07-02 12:13:41 · answer #5 · answered by "FroG" 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only advice I've ever heard is more experienced rider at the front.
but if you have a petite lady in front and a heavy dude in back, she may have trouble controlling the bike at low speed.
2006-07-03 18:03:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
stronger person at the back
2006-07-02 12:10:28 · answer #7 · answered by thelordparadox 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋