Author Topic: Modifying stoker position for children  (Read 6190 times)

Modifying stoker position for children
« on: 20 November, 2012, 11:20:50 am »
I have a really nice Marlow tandem, which is in need of a little TLC.
When I eventually get it running again, I would like to be able to ride it with my daughter, who is now 7. My son has expressed no interest!

Does anyone know where I could get a set of kiddie cranks and an extension for the stem so that she can ride?
But seriously, what could possibly go wrong

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #1 on: 20 November, 2012, 11:42:47 am »
These people are the tandem specialists: http://www.tandems.co.uk/

Or try http://www.tandems.co.uk/

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #2 on: 20 November, 2012, 12:35:59 pm »
And also the Tandem Club: http://www.tandem-club.org.uk/

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #3 on: 20 November, 2012, 12:42:39 pm »
What size is your seat tube/ I have some kiddie cranks I need to get rid of as my children have out-grown them. Built by Locks in Sandwich for 29.2mm OD seat tube. PM me if you want to know more.

There are often second hand sets on the tandem club website for sale.

http://www.tandem-club.org.uk/_sboard.htm

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #4 on: 20 November, 2012, 05:34:01 pm »
We just used crank shorteners not kiddy cranks for a 7 year old.

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #5 on: 20 November, 2012, 05:46:30 pm »
Many thanks for the replies.
I'll check out the websites.

The tandem is in storage at present, but when I collect it I'll check the seat tube dia and get back to you drgannet.

Oscar's dad, I'm not sure crank shorteners would be enough for Kirsty. She is quite small, and the rear position would probably suit someone 5'6" to 5'11", but it's maybe worth some thought.
But seriously, what could possibly go wrong

Oscar's dad

  • aka Septimus Fitzwilliam Beauregard Partridge
Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #6 on: 20 November, 2012, 05:52:03 pm »
Quite possibly.  The back of our tandem is quite small and our 7-year old was tall at the time.  Ours are made by Santana and purchased from JD Cycles who others have linked to.  Its worth talking to them, they are excellent. 

Good luck!

crowriver

  • Крис Б
Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #7 on: 06 December, 2012, 01:27:08 pm »
It's worth looking into the crank shorteners option. Kiddie cranks are for smaller children.

I recently bought a tandem which is technically an adult stoker size. However the rear is a 'ladyback' ie. lower step-over frame, and the seatpost 15". Admittedly my son is tall for his age (he's 7), but I was surprised he could reach the pedals at full stretch even without crank shorteners. Added some Thorn crank shorteners to make the pedalling more efficient and comfortable for him.

He can't stand over the rear frame, just climbs up with one foot on the pedal. No problem.
Embrace your inner Fred.

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #8 on: 21 December, 2012, 10:29:24 pm »
I’ve just retrieved the kiddy cranks I picked during the summer from the back of the shed as I’m about to switch stoker, from my 11 year old to my 3 year old lad. I’ve fitted them to the stoker seat tube without any problems but the pedal threads on the cranks are the wrong way round. The kiddy crank I have seems to be designed for its chain ring to be on the RHS, I must fit it with the chain ring on the LHS in order to connect its timing chain to the stokers left crank. Therefore I’ll end up with a RH pedal on the left side and vice-versa.

Will this be a problem? I can see why under normal circumstances it would be but with such a small stoker, one who won’t actually be providing any power just going through the motions of cycling I think it will probably be ok.

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #9 on: 24 December, 2012, 08:37:05 am »
Screw the pedal in tight and use Loctite and it should be O.K .
 As you say they are not subject to a lot of power input.
Check regularly.
Some kiddy cranks have a grubscrew fitted to stop the axle undoing itself. If you wanted extra piece of mind a decent bike workshop or model engineer could do it. PM me if you want a picture of what it looks like.


Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #10 on: 11 March, 2013, 10:09:14 pm »
Here's a photo of one of our tandems now modified for a small stoker. His little legs aren't long enough to comfortably pedal yet so I've left the timing chain off for now and set the pedals up to be foot rests instead.
The cage was picked up secondhand at last years Tandem Club National Rally, since this photo was taken it has received a fresh coat of paint.
I've also fitted Mrs.B's Heinzmann motor kit.


P1020200 by Joe.Audax, on Flickr   


P1020201 by Joe.Audax, on Flickr

And a photo of them both ;D


P1020198 by Joe.Audax, on Flickr

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #11 on: 11 March, 2013, 10:30:15 pm »
Cool. :thumbsup:
Getting there...

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #12 on: 29 March, 2013, 09:38:06 am »
That's a great set up for a little one :thumbsup:

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #13 on: 29 March, 2013, 10:04:22 am »
Great idea, Joe!

One thing I'm curious to know is how long can you ride the tandems with your little ones before they get either bored, or tired? I would like to try something similar, but I don't wanna put them off with too long rides!

jogler

  • mojo operandi
Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #14 on: 29 March, 2013, 10:13:11 am »


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8550241088_28b4342482.jpg[/img][/url]
 


Emily rode our tandem from an early age using a cage similar to that.


Great idea, Joe!

One thing I'm curious to know is how long can you ride the tandems with your little ones before they get either bored, or tired? I would like to try something similar, but I don't wanna put them off with too long rides!

If I may interject...Boredom never seemed to be an issue with Emily.She loved every minute of it.Comfort was the deciding factor.It was not un-common for her to spend all day from breakfast to tea time riding providing there were frequent stops,particularly a long one at lunch time.More in the interests of recovery for a pilot with a non-contributing stoker ;D

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #15 on: 01 April, 2013, 10:35:18 pm »
My little lad is three-and-a-half now. He hasn't has a ride longer than about 10miles yet on the tandem in the photo because of the winter weather, however he his been on many 35-40 mile rides in a Co-pilot child seat. He loves it and wants to go everywhere by bike, hopefully this will continue.
My daughter, now 11 enjoys being on the tandem too, for the last three year she and I have been touring and camping by tandem during the summer, only 2 or 3 night trips but its a great adventure. My little lad wants to go camping now too so I'll probably just take him out for a one night trip to begin with.
My daughter finds longer rides no problem at all, she's done 3 100Km audax rides.

I might have to look for a new tandem soon to replace the Dawes. My wife is using it now but its a bit too big for her, she can cope on it now because of the fact that the stoker bars are not fitted but once little Joe is ready to lose the cage an use normal stoker bars the pilots saddle will be to high for her. I think I'll be looking for a second hand tandem to replace it and aim to break even when selling the Dawes.

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #16 on: 02 April, 2013, 09:07:59 am »
It isn't so much the boredom thing with the little ones. At this time of year it is about keeping them warm bearing in mind that they are not excercising.
With regard to the stoker bars raising the saddle height, why not mount the bars from the top tube. this also has the effect of bringing them back towards a small stoker.

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #17 on: 02 April, 2013, 12:24:53 pm »
I'd considered that idea but discounted it because of the derailleur and brake cables running along the top of the stokers top tube. That said it has just occurred to me that if I re-route those cables under the top tube inside outer cable I could still attach the bars on the top tube.

I'm away from home this week but once I'm back at the weekend I'll have to rummage about in the shed and see if I've got something for the job.

Your right about the cold. Little Joe wears a fleece balaclava under his helmet, thermal over-trousers, thick mittens & several body layers but any more than 10 miles in the recent winter temperatures is too much for him. Spring seems to making an appearance now though :)       

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #18 on: 03 April, 2013, 04:52:06 pm »
Or a different type of clamp with the cables running through it, perhaps alluminium milled to suit.
What is the top tube diameter?

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #19 on: 04 April, 2013, 10:59:15 pm »
That would be a neat solution, but without the skills or equipment to do the job myself I dread to think what it could cost.
I don't know the tube diameter off the top of my head, I'm working away and can't check right now. I'm sure I can find something that fits though.

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #20 on: 05 April, 2013, 07:57:49 am »
That would be a neat solution, but without the skills or equipment to do the job myself I dread to think what it could cost.
I don't know the tube diameter off the top of my head, I'm working away and can't check right now. I'm sure I can find something that fits though.
I like neat solutions. Let me know the top tube size when you get home and I will have a bit of a think and see what I can come up with.

Re: Modifying stoker position for children
« Reply #21 on: 05 April, 2013, 10:48:50 pm »
The would be terrific, thanks for the offer. It might be a little while before I'm able to measure the top tube though, I'm supposed to be going away to sea next week, occupational hazard.