One of the most important things when riding any bike, particularly a tandem, is comfort, and we work with customers to optimise their riding position, in particular, with reference to existing bike fit and to contact points; saddle, handlebars and pedals. This can mean, with new tandem riders, working with dimensions from their solo bikes; something we frequently do.

For many customers one of our standard specification tandem builds, with any required tweaks, and attention to the fit and comfort, is perfect, but for others, the whole customisation gamut is available. This can sometimes seem daunting, but it’s as simple as having a conversation working through needs and projected usage. Some customers already have preferences which we are happy to implement, but otherwise we make suggestions to work towards the best tandem for your needs.

Here are some recent custom tandems we’ve done.

The post Customising a tandem first appeared on Circe Cycles.

We’ve now incorporated the separable feature into both our Morpheus and Eos travel tandems to allow packing them safely into a suitcase or suitcases. The packable feature also simplifies transporting a tandem on trains, buses and cars.

The two Morpheus Aurora tandems in the photo have been built and specced for a young European family doing an epic year long touring adventure through the Americas. Interesting adaptations include the Kiddy System and specially in-house shortened cranks, both of which feature a freewheel system so that the front rider does not have to pedal.

A family cycling adventure in which we are excited to be involved and greatly look to following.

The post Travelling with tandems – no 2 first appeared on Circe Cycles.

Every tandem couple has different requirements, with some preferring a single case or bag, as with the Circe Tandem Traveller case, but, with increasing constraints on size and weight that is allowed on trains and planes, the 2 bag tandem pack has advantages and is increasingly popular :-

1. Each bag weighs under 10kg, which, with two riders, is very manageable.

2. The packed size is compact and, as with the weight, much more manageable than a one bag or case pack.

3. The rear wheel, transmission and brakes can stay in place. This makes for a much easier and quicker pack and reconstruction.

To see how it’s done, have a look here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=UP8bmprUzf4

The post How to pack a Tandem bike in two bags for travel first appeared on Circe Cycles.

An essential element of our design brief for the Helios was a compact tandem that, amongst other things, would be easy to transport both locally and for travelling to far away places. By using 20″ wheels and making changes to the classic tandem stoker geometry, we were able to design a tandem compact enough to go into even quite small cars without the need to be folded.

Although we had originally designed the Helios with the potential to incorporate a fold, it soon became clear that, in the real world, it was compact enough for most transportation needs without folding, and that to significantly reduce the volume, particularly for travelling by air, a separable rather than a folding tandem was the superior option. Having experience of several different folding and separable tandems, we decided that a way of stabilizing what is essentially a long and heavy bike, particularly when assembling, was essential and why we used a mixed compression tube and couplings system. Key to folding and re-assembling the tandem is the compression drainpipe, which holds the two separated ends of the tandem together, and stable, while the coupling tube and other components are removed or installed.

The post Travelling with, and transporting, a tandem bike first appeared on Circe Cycles.

http://www.reach-village.co.uk/reach_fair.html

We’ll be joining the Cambridge Cycling Campaign ride with the new STEPS electric assist Helios tandem and Helios Triplet and hope to see some of you there.

https://www.camcycle.org.uk/blog/2016/04/14/reach-fair-ride/

The post Reach Fair Ride 2nd of May first appeared on Circe Cycles.

By removing the front wheel, seat posts and pedals, his Helios fits into the Komunity Project surfboard bag and weighs around 20kg all up (Aidan’s Helios is a hub gear geared heavy duty bike, so a bit less for some models). There is also the issue of maximum lengths, but BA, with whom Aidan is flying, and various others have a limit of 190cm which is almost exactly at the limit.

The post Transporting a tandem bicycle on an airplane first appeared on Circe Cycles.

And  what better and more fun way to get to and from a wedding than on a tandem bicycle!

Not only as transportation, though. Tandems are becoming increasingly popular as wedding presents. Instead of a conventional wedding list, friends who might like to give gifts, can be given a part by part breakdown of the tandem the couple would like and can contribute component parts accordingly.

Our sister tandem hire company, Blue Yonder Hire, has considerable experience with providing tandems for weddings and other special one-off events, and if you are interested in having a Circe tandem as a wedding present, it is advisable to talk to us several months before the event.

The post Get me to the Church on time! The tandem bicycle and marriage. first appeared on Circe Cycles.

The Thule Pro ride 591 and 598 roof rack is a popular option with Helios users. Using the Circe Thule stand-off the Helios can be easily fitted to the rack.

The post Methods for transporting a tandem by car first appeared on Circe Cycles.