Finally building up the Hubbah Hubbah- any tips?

[Tim]

I just ordered the wheels and stoker Bosco bars from Riv for the tandem. I got the cranks when I was in Walnut Creek over the summer so I have all of the Riv-specific parts I need. I plan on taking Grants suggestion of having it assembled at an LBS. I thought about doing it myself. I'm a somewhat competent mechanic. I've built up 2 Riv's and do almost all of my own work (I get stumped or lazy occasionally, though.) When I talked to Roman yesterday he said getting the timing chain tensioned correctly was one pitfall on tandems. Are there others? I guess I'm considering doing the work myself since it is always rewarding when it works. Otherwise, I need to find out which LBS has tandem experience here in KC. To be quite honest, when I've had adjustments on my other bikes made at the LBS, their work is no better than mine. And I see Sheldon has instructions on the timing chain setup. Bottom line: DYI assembly or not? How much rocket science is involved?

[Ray Varella]

Tim,
When I got my first tandem several decades ago I built it up myself.
After it was built up, a few people commented on how “tricky” tandems could be. Not so.
I built my HHH this year and it went together very smoothly.
Set up the rear just as you would if it were a single bike, get everything dialed in then set up your timing chain. When you set up the rear, decide how you like your gearing, I run triples on my tandems so I use neutral chain line on the middle ring and middle of the cassette/freewheel.
I like to bias my eccentric so it is low and forward, this keeps the seattube angle shallower than if it were biased towards the rear. Seattube angles on Riva are already shallow so if you want yours a bit steeper, bias it towards the rear.
Getting tension adjusted is quite simple, assuming your chain is the correct length.
With the eccentric set low and forward, I start with it loose in the 6:00 position viewed from the drive side, turn the eccentric forward, check tension so it doesn’t bind but is not so loose that it will come off. Very much like setting tension on a fixed gear or single speed.
I am fanatical about brakes on tandems, do an A plus job on your brakes.

You have a wealth of help on this list.

Cheers,
Ray
Vallejo CA

[lconley]

I am building mine myself. The are some very competent mechanics at several LBSs, but nobody cares as much about my bike as I do. I use the LBSs when I am in a hurry for a repair now and then and to install headsets, but I build my bikes myself. All I have left on the HubbuhubbuH is the front brake cable, front derailleur cable, disc brake cable and final timing chain adjustment (I think it is just a hair tight). I am very picky on my cable lengths and routing. The only difference with a single bike is length of most cables and the timing chain adjustment. I say build it yourself. One thing to watch is that the front bottom bracket eccentric can move side to side and you must keep it centered when adjusting the timing chain.

Laing

[Shoji Takahashi]

Hi Tim,

If you can build up a single, I think you'll probably be fine building up your tandem.

Setting up the timing chain is different, but not difficult. I don't have a spanner tool and instead managed to rotate it into place correctly.

The other difference with Rivs is the threadless headset and cutting the steerer tube. I purchased the appropriate diameter PVC piping to set the race, and I used an old locking headset spacer as to hacksaw guide for a straight cut. There are a bunch of YouTube videos on getting a star-fangled nut into place without a special tool.

Other than that, make sure you get long enough brake and derailer cables+housing. 

Good luck!

Shoji

[Jeremy Tavan]

No specific advice to add to what's below, but I'm in the same boat, having just picked up frame and cranks from Riv. I brought mine to LBS for tube/rear BB facing and headset installation, but plan on doing the rest myself. I'll keep an eye out for your status reports as the thing comes together.

/Jeremy

[David Crowell]

I don't think the timing chain is that big of a deal.  I have an old crappy tandem with an eccentric bottom bracket.  Adjusting it's not been difficult.

My HHH is on order.  I do intend to let my bike shop handle the build though - mostly due to front derailleur issues (I'm lousy at that part)  

I'll be watching this thread with interest.  :)

On Friday, October 20, 2017 at 8:55:18 AM UTC-4, Tim wrote:

[Max S]

Awesome! Would love to see photos of the build and the experience. We test rode one when visiting Riv on vacation and right away I was able to pilot it, regardless of which member of the family was stoking. I don't think it was my deft handling, as I'd NEVER ridden a tandem in my life prior to that. Kudos to Grant for the design. 

Just out of curiosity, how fat of a tire will you use? (In principle it fits 2.3" tires, but in practice it's hard to get them through the v-brakes when inflated.)  

(Also, I'm curious where you'll set the handlebar height. (Measure twice, cut once!) The bars Riv recommends these days are so much higher than anything I'd used past age 12. Every time I try one of those swept-back riser bars, I end up going back to drop bars at or just below saddle height. Then I get paralyzed about cutting the steerer to get the bars low enough, but leaving it long, in case of a need to raise them again as I get old...) 

- Max in A2

On Friday, October 20, 2017 at 8:55:18 AM UTC-4, Tim wrote:

[Tim]

Ok, I'm going to build it myself. What's the worst that can happen? I'll have to have someone fix my mess, which I have had to do before. I'm thinking maybe Schwalbe Big Bens, 48mm. Good flat protection, long wearing.

Jeremy Taven said he took his tandem to LBS for tube/BB facing (and to install headset). Does that mean having the BB threads chased? I didn't do that with the Sam and Hunq I built up. I think maybe once I read that it either wasn't necessary or that Riv does that when they get the frames. And I don't know what "tube facing" would be, unless I just misconstrued the post.

[Jeremy Tavan]

Sorry, should have been more specific. I had them face the rear bottom bracket shell and the head tube prior to installing the headset. Possibly not necessary, but seemed like a good practice and they had the appropriate tools.

As far as tires go, I'll probably go with something along that size as well, either WTB Horizons or Compass Switchback Hill. 

On Sat, Oct 21, 2017 at 7:08 AM 'Tim' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Ok, I'm going to build it myself. What's the worst that can happen? I'll have to have someone fix my mess, which I have had to do before. I'm thinking maybe Schwalbe Big Bens, 48mm. Good flat protection, long wearing.

Jeremy Taven said he took his tandem to LBS for tube/BB facing (and to install headset). Does that mean having the BB threads chased?  I didn't do that with the Sam and Hunq I built up. I think maybe once I read that it either wasn't necessary or that Riv does that when they get the frames. And I don't know what "tube facing" would be, unless I just misconstrued the post.

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[Ray Varella]

In regards to tires: I have Schwalbe super Moto X tires on my HHH
They are big, fat, cushy tires. In my very humble opinion, they are perfect for the bike.
Paired with a nicely broken in sprung brooks for the stoker, the bike has plenty of suspension for the stoker.
We intentionally hit a bunch of bumps and potholes to find the limits of comfort.

For those new to tandems, as the captain, it’s your responsibility to warn your stoker about bumps.

For the poster who was concerned about tires clearing the brakes.
The Super Motos are 2.4” and clear the brakes just fine. You need to unhook the brake.
Keep in mind that the posts are really far apart.
I’m running the stock rims that Rivendell offers for these tandems. A narrower rim might pose some issues with tire clearance but if you went with the Alex rims or the Velocity Cliffhanger, you should be fine.

You will really enjoy your bike.

Ray
Vallejo CA

[Michael Hechmer]

There is nothing especially "tricky" about setting up a timing chain.  You do need a pin spanner, the same one used on traditional BBs.  The front BB has what is called an "eccentric", which is an ovalized BB.  Set the eccentric to the shortest length, then fit the chain over the chainring and use the pin spanner to turn the eccentric and tighten the chain, then use a 5mm allen wrench to tighten the shell.  You will need two chains yoked together for the timing chain.  I tend to buy a new drive chain every year and recycle the older one onto the timing chain.  Our tandem has an extra long rear TT which gives us a boom tube which is between links.  One less is too short, one more too tight.  I have delt with this by fitting a 50T chainring in the middle of the timing chain.  It takes up the extra slack, spins in place, and creates conversation on the road.

Michael

On Friday, October 20, 2017 at 8:55:18 AM UTC-4, Tim wrote: