randon Google Group

Re: Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-09T07:39:39Z

Take a look at [link] .

There are some that say the Nashbar fork is the same. I wouldn't
know.

Anyway, the Winwood Muddy Disc Cross is the _only_ Winwood fork that
_doesn't_ have the following disclaimer: "This fork is not designed
nor tested for tandem use" and in fact Calfee list it as a fork to use

snapshots from San Francisco Randonneurs' 200k "Lighthouse" brevet yesterday

2009-11-08T20:22:10Z

Yesterday the San Francisco Randonneurs ran an out-of-season edition
of the traditional January "Lighthouse" 200k brevet.
Like most SFR rides, its start and finish controls are at the Golden
Gate Bridge. Every time I do one of these rides, which begins and
ends with a ride across the bridge, I fall in love with the bridge a

Re: [Randon] RE: Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-08T03:28:32Z

Hmmmm
Lobbed into the above site and saw a very familiar fork as I'd bought
one the same or VERY similar from a supplier in the UK. Mine was scored
to put on my recumbent [long story] but now graces my daughter's MTB.
Mine came unbranded but I've seen an identical one in a LBS (forget
brand name) but both have an identical sticker which says:

Inspirational randonneur injured at home

2009-11-07T01:09:24Z

Seattle randonneur and adventure cyclist Pat Rodden was recently
injured, not on his bike, but in a terrible accident inside his
house. Pat has done PBP twice and he is one of the original Seattle
International Randonneurs. However, he is probably best known for a
bicycle trip he did to the Arctic in 2006. Pat’s trip journal is

Re: Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T20:29:50Z

Dear Val,

Handlebars: I've used three different carbon fiber handlebars
(Kestrel, Zipp, Modolo) on my Calfee (single). The weight loss is
negligible--on the order of 20g a bar if you're riding a light
aluminum bar to begin with. I never had one fail (crashed on a
Kestrel EMS bar in 2006, though, and decided to retire it. No visible

Re: [Randon] Re: Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T17:51:24Z

....
also valid for riding carbon bars. Anything between you and the pavement
transmits shock, vibrations, etc. How much these things are dampened really
depends on the material, design, and construction. One could say that
carbon bars make a difference since they're the last link on the bike before

Re: Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T17:29:04Z

Just my 2 cents here.

While I have put in some distance with a carbon fork on my single and
I am in no way anti-carbon, I would like to say that I am pretty
comfortable with my steel fork on my tandem.

We rode PBP with an aluminium Santana Sovereign with a steel fork.
Vibration was an issue, but with some Grand Bois tires and Specialized

Re: Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T15:58:56Z

MB said:
"....I know carbon is lighter but would we see other benefits going to
carbon fork and/or handlebars? Input appreciated."

We have a DaVinci tandem, 10th Anniv edition, which means it came with
a few up spec parts at no addition cost.

It came with a Wound Up tandem fork. Just looking at it I was very

RE: Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T13:34:58Z

Sheldon Brown once noted that the best fork for a frame is usually the
one that's supplied with it. It's probably not worth replacing unless
it's ridiculously heavy or been bent in a crash.
Apparently your trust is justified...from:
[link]

Re: [Randon] Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T03:03:28Z

On the handlebars, getting the size right will be more beneficial than
switching to carbon.

Re: [Randon] Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T03:01:26Z

One more thing -- While I'm sure there are some great photos of busted steel and AL parts, the photos on the site linked below are pretty spectacular, if not humorous:
[link]
Jake "Not necessarily representative" Kassen

Re: [Randon] Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T02:53:23Z

FWIW, I commute on and have ridden brevets on the Nashbar cross carbon fork. It has mounts for a disk brake, which I use. The fork is just as if not heavier then my quality steel forks. I'd never trust anything less beefy then that hunk of plastic for a tandem, let alone my own single bikes.
As for carbon bars, are you really that interested in saving weight? Even the lightest carbon bars ain't that much heaver then decent aluminum bars.

Carbon fork and/or handlebar for tandem?

2009-11-06T02:36:00Z

My wife & I purchased a steel Co-Motion tandem this summer. It has a
steel fork. I know carbon is lighter but would we see other benefits
going to carbon fork and/or handlebars? Input appreciated.

Re: Cap/Hats!

2009-11-05T19:12:27Z

Dear Robert,

Drifting OT: That button on top of a feed store cap is easily removed
with a pair of pliers. The rivet is usually a barbed thumbtack
pressed into a plastic insert inside the button. Get a good grip on
the button, pull firmly, and it will come apart. The cap is now more
functional and won't leave bruises on the top of one's head.

Re: Cap/Hats!

2009-11-05T03:45:51Z

For cold weather riding around here, I have a Pearlizumi skull cap
that I wear down to about 30F or so. Thin, but it keeps the wind out
and the heat in.
From 10 - 30F, I have a nice beanie I got at a local activewear shop.
Thin, but slightly fuzzy on the inside, and goretex on the outside. My