Tips on tandem riding
Who does what: This is not a „must“, but makes good sense: if there
is a considerable difference in weight, the heavier rider sits at the
front for better weight distribution. Helpful tip: changing positions as
a trial is the best way to see the ride from the other‘s point of view.
As the „stoker“ (or rear rider) you „only“ turn the pedals and have
to take your cue as regards cadence and effort from the steersman.
Please do NOT help to steer, do NOT lean outwards on bends and do
NOT shift your weight abruptly or in an uncontrolled manner.
As the steersman, you are responsible for steering, braking, and
changing gear, and also for obeying the traffic regulations. New-
comers to tandem riding should get acquainted first of all with the
behaviour of their BERNDS-Folding Tandem Lowstep on safe terrain
with little traffic. Practice first of all without and then with the rear
rider, especially riding on bends and correct braking.
Communication: Talk to each other! After a while you will intui-
tively act together, but bear in mind that from the rear, you see less
than from in front. As steersman then, you should warn of sudden
braking or evasive manoeuvres or of obstacles.
Getting on and setting off: The steersman gets on first, pulls up
the right pedal to 11 o‘clock and selects the appropriate gear. The
rear rider follows and gives the steersman the signal to start.
Stopping: the better to be able to set off again, the steersman pulls
a pedal up to 11 o‘clock. The rear rider puts down his leg on the
same side as the steersman.
Change gear where possible at the top of the pedal revolution; to
start with, let your companion know when you intend to change
gear so that both riders briefly take the weight off the pedals. Hub
gears can be changed with the bike at a standstill or with the pedals
stopped, which in urban traffic offers great advantages.
Braking: Practice emergency braking! In contrast to a single-rider
bicycle, you can pull on the front brake until it locks without any
danger of the bike flipping over.
On hills: Change down to a lower gear in time; ride with the highest
possible pedalling rate to save your joints.
Downhill: Brake in time, brake on and off so that the brake system
does not overheat. Avoiding keeping the brakes on lightly but con-
stantly without releasing them. In principle, on tandems we recom-
mend using disc brakes.
