Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Tandems => Topic started by: Russell on 13 June, 2016, 08:32:43 am

Title: N+1 :-)
Post by: Russell on 13 June, 2016, 08:32:43 am: (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d116/wilesfamily/IMG-20160611-00435_zpspgitpjdj.jpg)

We had a trip up to North Yorkshire this weekend to pick this up - 550ml round trip! Did a 28ml drizzly ride in the Dales and it feels very nice. So much better than our Dawes.

Custom size Titanium Lightning frame, carbon flat top bars and fork, SON front and Hope rear hubs, Middleburn cranks, Thudbuster ST stoker post and Spyre rear disc.

Only issue with it is the pre-loved Avid Arch Rival V brakes, that I supplied, squeal (or more precisely screech) very badly.

;D
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: DrMekon on 13 June, 2016, 10:13:29 am: That looks gorgeous!
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: The French Tandem on 13 June, 2016, 11:29:21 am: Great machine :thumbsup: I wish you a lot of tandem fun!

There is one thing I am very curious to know: where exactly does Orbit sources the titanium tubing/welding from? We had, a few years ago, two negative experiences with Ti tandem frame sourced from China. Both frames cracked after about 5000 km. The person who sold us the frames offered a decent compensation, but it put us off Ti frames since then. I hope Orbit have found a more reliable source!

Another question: the stoker has a very short seat tube, and an unusually long seat pin, did you ask for that, or is it just what they were able to supply?
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: Russell on 13 June, 2016, 12:27:47 pm: Quote from: The French Tandem on 13 June, 2016, 11:29:21 am
where exactly does Orbit sources the titanium tubing/welding from?

The frames come from Taiwan, made by Leap Cycles (http://www.leapcycle.com/), to Orbit's specification. They are a manufacturer of all sorts of titanium bike frames, from folders to racers to recumbents.

Quote from: The French Tandem on 13 June, 2016, 11:29:21 am
Another question: the stoker has a very short seat tube, and an unusually long seat pin, did you ask for that, or is it just what they were able to supply?

I'm sure Orbit would be able to supply anything you ask for, we went for the small size but reduced the length of both front and rear to suit our smaller stature! I think the larger sizes are more conventionally sized with regard to seat tube length. It is less extreme than our Dawes so we are used to that appearance.
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: The French Tandem on 13 June, 2016, 02:34:24 pm: Thank you!
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: Butterfly on 13 June, 2016, 02:38:24 pm: Lovely! :D
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: clarion on 13 June, 2016, 03:49:16 pm: Nice. I miss tandemming...
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: thing1 on 15 June, 2016, 04:56:25 am: Looks superb!

Got any close ups?
What Rims are you using? what width OLN is the rear hub?
I'm guessing it's triple with a long cage something at the rear.

How does it feel standing to climb?
What sort of tyre clearance can you get with mudguards on?
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: Russell on 15 June, 2016, 08:03:32 am: Quote from: thing1 on 15 June, 2016, 04:56:25 am
Looks superb!

Got any close ups?
What Rims are you using? what width OLN is the rear hub?
I'm guessing it's triple with a long cage something at the rear.

How does it feel standing to climb?
What sort of tyre clearance can you get with mudguards on?

In order!

Thanks

Not yet - will spend some quality time with it this weekend and take a few.

Alex something and I believe 145 - will check.

Yup, triple with XT 10s long cage

My knees won't let me climb standing even on a solo so we don't know. Our first tandem (very light 531) is almost impossible to ride solo, the Dawes needs to be ridden smoothly when solo with luggage but this felt very stable but that was only round the car park.

We have 32mm Marathons fitted and the front is snug. The ride is much softer than the Dawes so may be able to drop a tyre size.

R
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: marcusjb on 15 June, 2016, 08:16:42 am: That is a handsome machine!

Enjoy it and the adventures it takes you on!
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: Chris S on 15 June, 2016, 09:15:14 am: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: Morat on 16 June, 2016, 07:09:00 pm: Ooooooh, that's very nice indeed!
Congratulations
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: thing1 on 17 June, 2016, 02:54:01 am: Great! Really nice having clearance for 32mm tyres with the guards. That gives a lot of flexibility in how you run it.
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: Poacher on 02 July, 2016, 08:56:50 am: Looks beautiful. Unusual to see different angles on the cranks - does it feel strange to be "out of sync" when pedalling?
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 July, 2016, 08:03:09 am: Late to this thread...

That's a bit nice, Russell. I hope to have a closer look at the weekend.
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: peliroja on 04 July, 2016, 08:30:16 am: Ooh, that's very pretty indeed!
Title: Re: N+1 :-)
Post by: Russell on 04 July, 2016, 08:30:58 am: Quote from: Poacher on 02 July, 2016, 08:56:50 am
Unusual to see different angles on the cranks - does it feel strange to be "out of sync" when pedalling?

I did ask for 1 tooth advance on the stoker's cranks but it does look like more than that. One day I'll get round to checking. The idea is that it gives the stoker something to push against before the incredible power of the captain takes the pedal away from her foot. ;) No, it doesn't feel strange at all.

Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 July, 2016, 08:03:09 am
I hope to have a closer look at the weekend.

You're coming? That's great - look forward to seeing you.