Independent drivetrains on tandem bicycle












3















On a standard tandem frame, is it possible to build a tandem bicycle with independent drivetrains for the two riders? Is there a custom frame builder that would build a tandem like this?



I'm aware of the half-recumbent tandem that has independent drivetrains, but I'm specifically interested in the classic/normal tandem frame.










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  • 2





    What do you mean by "independent drive trains"? Ultimately, they've gotta connect at the rear wheel. Even if you put a chain down each side and had separate freewheels, that would just mean that only the rider who was pedalling hardest would be contributing, so you'd have only half the power.

    – David Richerby
    yesterday






  • 1





    It's important to be clear what exactly you're after: do you want one rider to be able to pedal while the other rests? This would take independent freewheel mechanisms or equivalent. Do you want the riders to pedal at different cadences? A fixed ratio could be achieved with a front chain that doesn't use 1:1 gearing but this might have issues starting and the effort would come in and out of phase, with rather odd effects. There are various harebrained schemes for front wheel drive bikes. The captain could power a system like that while the stoker powered a normal drivetrain

    – Chris H
    yesterday











  • You'd need a left free-wheel and most importantly at least a left-sided rear derailleur which I both doubt to exist. To apply power both riders would need to keep the free-wheel engaged at all times. If there's only the slightest freewheeling on one side, no power is applied. And there will always be the risk of hitting heels and toes unless the frame is rather long.

    – Carel
    yesterday











  • @Carel there are BMXs with left side freewheels aren't there? Single speed though

    – Chris H
    yesterday








  • 2





    It needs to be noted that one reason such schemes are not more popular is that there is an advantage, in terms of the balance of the bike, in having the two cranks more or less in sync. (And, yes, cyclists on a tandem are always cranks. ;-) )

    – Daniel R Hicks
    yesterday
















3















On a standard tandem frame, is it possible to build a tandem bicycle with independent drivetrains for the two riders? Is there a custom frame builder that would build a tandem like this?



I'm aware of the half-recumbent tandem that has independent drivetrains, but I'm specifically interested in the classic/normal tandem frame.










share|improve this question







New contributor




happyraul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 2





    What do you mean by "independent drive trains"? Ultimately, they've gotta connect at the rear wheel. Even if you put a chain down each side and had separate freewheels, that would just mean that only the rider who was pedalling hardest would be contributing, so you'd have only half the power.

    – David Richerby
    yesterday






  • 1





    It's important to be clear what exactly you're after: do you want one rider to be able to pedal while the other rests? This would take independent freewheel mechanisms or equivalent. Do you want the riders to pedal at different cadences? A fixed ratio could be achieved with a front chain that doesn't use 1:1 gearing but this might have issues starting and the effort would come in and out of phase, with rather odd effects. There are various harebrained schemes for front wheel drive bikes. The captain could power a system like that while the stoker powered a normal drivetrain

    – Chris H
    yesterday











  • You'd need a left free-wheel and most importantly at least a left-sided rear derailleur which I both doubt to exist. To apply power both riders would need to keep the free-wheel engaged at all times. If there's only the slightest freewheeling on one side, no power is applied. And there will always be the risk of hitting heels and toes unless the frame is rather long.

    – Carel
    yesterday











  • @Carel there are BMXs with left side freewheels aren't there? Single speed though

    – Chris H
    yesterday








  • 2





    It needs to be noted that one reason such schemes are not more popular is that there is an advantage, in terms of the balance of the bike, in having the two cranks more or less in sync. (And, yes, cyclists on a tandem are always cranks. ;-) )

    – Daniel R Hicks
    yesterday














3












3








3








On a standard tandem frame, is it possible to build a tandem bicycle with independent drivetrains for the two riders? Is there a custom frame builder that would build a tandem like this?



I'm aware of the half-recumbent tandem that has independent drivetrains, but I'm specifically interested in the classic/normal tandem frame.










share|improve this question







New contributor




happyraul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












On a standard tandem frame, is it possible to build a tandem bicycle with independent drivetrains for the two riders? Is there a custom frame builder that would build a tandem like this?



I'm aware of the half-recumbent tandem that has independent drivetrains, but I'm specifically interested in the classic/normal tandem frame.







drivetrain tandems






share|improve this question







New contributor




happyraul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




happyraul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






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asked yesterday









happyraulhappyraul

162




162




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New contributor





happyraul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






happyraul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 2





    What do you mean by "independent drive trains"? Ultimately, they've gotta connect at the rear wheel. Even if you put a chain down each side and had separate freewheels, that would just mean that only the rider who was pedalling hardest would be contributing, so you'd have only half the power.

    – David Richerby
    yesterday






  • 1





    It's important to be clear what exactly you're after: do you want one rider to be able to pedal while the other rests? This would take independent freewheel mechanisms or equivalent. Do you want the riders to pedal at different cadences? A fixed ratio could be achieved with a front chain that doesn't use 1:1 gearing but this might have issues starting and the effort would come in and out of phase, with rather odd effects. There are various harebrained schemes for front wheel drive bikes. The captain could power a system like that while the stoker powered a normal drivetrain

    – Chris H
    yesterday











  • You'd need a left free-wheel and most importantly at least a left-sided rear derailleur which I both doubt to exist. To apply power both riders would need to keep the free-wheel engaged at all times. If there's only the slightest freewheeling on one side, no power is applied. And there will always be the risk of hitting heels and toes unless the frame is rather long.

    – Carel
    yesterday











  • @Carel there are BMXs with left side freewheels aren't there? Single speed though

    – Chris H
    yesterday








  • 2





    It needs to be noted that one reason such schemes are not more popular is that there is an advantage, in terms of the balance of the bike, in having the two cranks more or less in sync. (And, yes, cyclists on a tandem are always cranks. ;-) )

    – Daniel R Hicks
    yesterday














  • 2





    What do you mean by "independent drive trains"? Ultimately, they've gotta connect at the rear wheel. Even if you put a chain down each side and had separate freewheels, that would just mean that only the rider who was pedalling hardest would be contributing, so you'd have only half the power.

    – David Richerby
    yesterday






  • 1





    It's important to be clear what exactly you're after: do you want one rider to be able to pedal while the other rests? This would take independent freewheel mechanisms or equivalent. Do you want the riders to pedal at different cadences? A fixed ratio could be achieved with a front chain that doesn't use 1:1 gearing but this might have issues starting and the effort would come in and out of phase, with rather odd effects. There are various harebrained schemes for front wheel drive bikes. The captain could power a system like that while the stoker powered a normal drivetrain

    – Chris H
    yesterday











  • You'd need a left free-wheel and most importantly at least a left-sided rear derailleur which I both doubt to exist. To apply power both riders would need to keep the free-wheel engaged at all times. If there's only the slightest freewheeling on one side, no power is applied. And there will always be the risk of hitting heels and toes unless the frame is rather long.

    – Carel
    yesterday











  • @Carel there are BMXs with left side freewheels aren't there? Single speed though

    – Chris H
    yesterday








  • 2





    It needs to be noted that one reason such schemes are not more popular is that there is an advantage, in terms of the balance of the bike, in having the two cranks more or less in sync. (And, yes, cyclists on a tandem are always cranks. ;-) )

    – Daniel R Hicks
    yesterday








2




2





What do you mean by "independent drive trains"? Ultimately, they've gotta connect at the rear wheel. Even if you put a chain down each side and had separate freewheels, that would just mean that only the rider who was pedalling hardest would be contributing, so you'd have only half the power.

– David Richerby
yesterday





What do you mean by "independent drive trains"? Ultimately, they've gotta connect at the rear wheel. Even if you put a chain down each side and had separate freewheels, that would just mean that only the rider who was pedalling hardest would be contributing, so you'd have only half the power.

– David Richerby
yesterday




1




1





It's important to be clear what exactly you're after: do you want one rider to be able to pedal while the other rests? This would take independent freewheel mechanisms or equivalent. Do you want the riders to pedal at different cadences? A fixed ratio could be achieved with a front chain that doesn't use 1:1 gearing but this might have issues starting and the effort would come in and out of phase, with rather odd effects. There are various harebrained schemes for front wheel drive bikes. The captain could power a system like that while the stoker powered a normal drivetrain

– Chris H
yesterday





It's important to be clear what exactly you're after: do you want one rider to be able to pedal while the other rests? This would take independent freewheel mechanisms or equivalent. Do you want the riders to pedal at different cadences? A fixed ratio could be achieved with a front chain that doesn't use 1:1 gearing but this might have issues starting and the effort would come in and out of phase, with rather odd effects. There are various harebrained schemes for front wheel drive bikes. The captain could power a system like that while the stoker powered a normal drivetrain

– Chris H
yesterday













You'd need a left free-wheel and most importantly at least a left-sided rear derailleur which I both doubt to exist. To apply power both riders would need to keep the free-wheel engaged at all times. If there's only the slightest freewheeling on one side, no power is applied. And there will always be the risk of hitting heels and toes unless the frame is rather long.

– Carel
yesterday





You'd need a left free-wheel and most importantly at least a left-sided rear derailleur which I both doubt to exist. To apply power both riders would need to keep the free-wheel engaged at all times. If there's only the slightest freewheeling on one side, no power is applied. And there will always be the risk of hitting heels and toes unless the frame is rather long.

– Carel
yesterday













@Carel there are BMXs with left side freewheels aren't there? Single speed though

– Chris H
yesterday







@Carel there are BMXs with left side freewheels aren't there? Single speed though

– Chris H
yesterday






2




2





It needs to be noted that one reason such schemes are not more popular is that there is an advantage, in terms of the balance of the bike, in having the two cranks more or less in sync. (And, yes, cyclists on a tandem are always cranks. ;-) )

– Daniel R Hicks
yesterday





It needs to be noted that one reason such schemes are not more popular is that there is an advantage, in terms of the balance of the bike, in having the two cranks more or less in sync. (And, yes, cyclists on a tandem are always cranks. ;-) )

– Daniel R Hicks
yesterday










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















3














As Chris H points out in his comment, this could mean two different things.



The half-recumbent/half-upright design does have separate gearing for each rider.



There's a different system that some conventional recumbents use that gives each rider the ability to coast independently, but they pedal at the same cadence: both sets of cranks drive a jackshaft (located just in front of the stoker's crank), which in turn drives the rear wheel.



There have been numerous ideas for bike drivetrains over the past century, and it's easy to imagine that other ideas have been tried out and lost to history.






share|improve this answer































    2














    Here's a picture of a half recumbent tandem
    enter image description here
    from https://www.ucycle.com/merchant/2856/images/zoom/hase-pino-allround.jpg



    Here is a link to a video of people riding a recumbent tandem.
    https://binged.it/2TXkxJC
    The video does a good job of explaining that the front crank has a freewheel mechanism that lets the riders pedal at different speeds. The front rider can also stop pedaling.



    If this is what is meant as "independent drivetrains" then the functionality is in the crank rather than the frame itself.



    The key to having a regular tandem like the recumbent tandem in the video is to find someone who makes a crank with a freewheeling chain ring. Like the old school Schwinn Suburban's from the late 70s with Shimano Positron FFS (Front Freewheel System).



    Here's a link to a product for mountain bikes with a freewheeling chain ring
    https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/hxr-easy-shift-crankset-allows-change-gear-without-pedalling.html



    With this part - or something like it - any tandem frame builder should be able to get you going.






    share|improve this answer










    New contributor




    David is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.





















    • One downside of the front rider being able to stop pedalling but not the back is that at least on conventional tandems the front rider is commonly the stronger rider. That may not be the case here of course

      – Chris H
      15 hours ago



















    2














    I know of two solutions to your question - I'll post two brands, however they are not meant as an advertisement, rather as a starting point for further search.



    One is used by Onderwater Fiets from Amsterdam. Their tandems (and also more persons bikes) combine the stoker and pilot function and are meant for families. There, the drive is permanent between the last bottom bracket and the rear wheel and other bottom brackets are somehow free-wheeled so the passengers in front can pedal individually.



    The other is R&B Fly, not much can be found about those on the Internet. Funny thing, I own one, hence the independent drive can be further inspected. There, each chainring (single for the pilot; double, same size for the stoker) attached to the crankset is freewheeled, thus pedalling can be done independent. Anyway, this bike awaits some renovation, I haven't ridden it yet.



    Thus, it is possible to build a tandem with independent drivetrains and with enough invention you can even build one where the cadence don't need to match (add a front derailleur and triple chainring to the pilot's seat for higher / same / lower cadence as the stoker).






    share|improve this answer
























    • You might also need to add a chain tensioner (last para), but that shouldn't be too hard. Those Amsterdam ones you mention are presumably rear-steer rather like the ones I asked about a few years ago

      – Chris H
      7 hours ago











    Your Answer








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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    3














    As Chris H points out in his comment, this could mean two different things.



    The half-recumbent/half-upright design does have separate gearing for each rider.



    There's a different system that some conventional recumbents use that gives each rider the ability to coast independently, but they pedal at the same cadence: both sets of cranks drive a jackshaft (located just in front of the stoker's crank), which in turn drives the rear wheel.



    There have been numerous ideas for bike drivetrains over the past century, and it's easy to imagine that other ideas have been tried out and lost to history.






    share|improve this answer




























      3














      As Chris H points out in his comment, this could mean two different things.



      The half-recumbent/half-upright design does have separate gearing for each rider.



      There's a different system that some conventional recumbents use that gives each rider the ability to coast independently, but they pedal at the same cadence: both sets of cranks drive a jackshaft (located just in front of the stoker's crank), which in turn drives the rear wheel.



      There have been numerous ideas for bike drivetrains over the past century, and it's easy to imagine that other ideas have been tried out and lost to history.






      share|improve this answer


























        3












        3








        3







        As Chris H points out in his comment, this could mean two different things.



        The half-recumbent/half-upright design does have separate gearing for each rider.



        There's a different system that some conventional recumbents use that gives each rider the ability to coast independently, but they pedal at the same cadence: both sets of cranks drive a jackshaft (located just in front of the stoker's crank), which in turn drives the rear wheel.



        There have been numerous ideas for bike drivetrains over the past century, and it's easy to imagine that other ideas have been tried out and lost to history.






        share|improve this answer













        As Chris H points out in his comment, this could mean two different things.



        The half-recumbent/half-upright design does have separate gearing for each rider.



        There's a different system that some conventional recumbents use that gives each rider the ability to coast independently, but they pedal at the same cadence: both sets of cranks drive a jackshaft (located just in front of the stoker's crank), which in turn drives the rear wheel.



        There have been numerous ideas for bike drivetrains over the past century, and it's easy to imagine that other ideas have been tried out and lost to history.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered yesterday









        Adam RiceAdam Rice

        5,9021534




        5,9021534























            2














            Here's a picture of a half recumbent tandem
            enter image description here
            from https://www.ucycle.com/merchant/2856/images/zoom/hase-pino-allround.jpg



            Here is a link to a video of people riding a recumbent tandem.
            https://binged.it/2TXkxJC
            The video does a good job of explaining that the front crank has a freewheel mechanism that lets the riders pedal at different speeds. The front rider can also stop pedaling.



            If this is what is meant as "independent drivetrains" then the functionality is in the crank rather than the frame itself.



            The key to having a regular tandem like the recumbent tandem in the video is to find someone who makes a crank with a freewheeling chain ring. Like the old school Schwinn Suburban's from the late 70s with Shimano Positron FFS (Front Freewheel System).



            Here's a link to a product for mountain bikes with a freewheeling chain ring
            https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/hxr-easy-shift-crankset-allows-change-gear-without-pedalling.html



            With this part - or something like it - any tandem frame builder should be able to get you going.






            share|improve this answer










            New contributor




            David is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.





















            • One downside of the front rider being able to stop pedalling but not the back is that at least on conventional tandems the front rider is commonly the stronger rider. That may not be the case here of course

              – Chris H
              15 hours ago
















            2














            Here's a picture of a half recumbent tandem
            enter image description here
            from https://www.ucycle.com/merchant/2856/images/zoom/hase-pino-allround.jpg



            Here is a link to a video of people riding a recumbent tandem.
            https://binged.it/2TXkxJC
            The video does a good job of explaining that the front crank has a freewheel mechanism that lets the riders pedal at different speeds. The front rider can also stop pedaling.



            If this is what is meant as "independent drivetrains" then the functionality is in the crank rather than the frame itself.



            The key to having a regular tandem like the recumbent tandem in the video is to find someone who makes a crank with a freewheeling chain ring. Like the old school Schwinn Suburban's from the late 70s with Shimano Positron FFS (Front Freewheel System).



            Here's a link to a product for mountain bikes with a freewheeling chain ring
            https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/hxr-easy-shift-crankset-allows-change-gear-without-pedalling.html



            With this part - or something like it - any tandem frame builder should be able to get you going.






            share|improve this answer










            New contributor




            David is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.





















            • One downside of the front rider being able to stop pedalling but not the back is that at least on conventional tandems the front rider is commonly the stronger rider. That may not be the case here of course

              – Chris H
              15 hours ago














            2












            2








            2







            Here's a picture of a half recumbent tandem
            enter image description here
            from https://www.ucycle.com/merchant/2856/images/zoom/hase-pino-allround.jpg



            Here is a link to a video of people riding a recumbent tandem.
            https://binged.it/2TXkxJC
            The video does a good job of explaining that the front crank has a freewheel mechanism that lets the riders pedal at different speeds. The front rider can also stop pedaling.



            If this is what is meant as "independent drivetrains" then the functionality is in the crank rather than the frame itself.



            The key to having a regular tandem like the recumbent tandem in the video is to find someone who makes a crank with a freewheeling chain ring. Like the old school Schwinn Suburban's from the late 70s with Shimano Positron FFS (Front Freewheel System).



            Here's a link to a product for mountain bikes with a freewheeling chain ring
            https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/hxr-easy-shift-crankset-allows-change-gear-without-pedalling.html



            With this part - or something like it - any tandem frame builder should be able to get you going.






            share|improve this answer










            New contributor




            David is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.










            Here's a picture of a half recumbent tandem
            enter image description here
            from https://www.ucycle.com/merchant/2856/images/zoom/hase-pino-allround.jpg



            Here is a link to a video of people riding a recumbent tandem.
            https://binged.it/2TXkxJC
            The video does a good job of explaining that the front crank has a freewheel mechanism that lets the riders pedal at different speeds. The front rider can also stop pedaling.



            If this is what is meant as "independent drivetrains" then the functionality is in the crank rather than the frame itself.



            The key to having a regular tandem like the recumbent tandem in the video is to find someone who makes a crank with a freewheeling chain ring. Like the old school Schwinn Suburban's from the late 70s with Shimano Positron FFS (Front Freewheel System).



            Here's a link to a product for mountain bikes with a freewheeling chain ring
            https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/hxr-easy-shift-crankset-allows-change-gear-without-pedalling.html



            With this part - or something like it - any tandem frame builder should be able to get you going.







            share|improve this answer










            New contributor




            David is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited yesterday









            Swifty

            2,7251526




            2,7251526






            New contributor




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            answered yesterday









            DavidDavid

            211




            211




            New contributor




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            New contributor





            David is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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            David is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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            • One downside of the front rider being able to stop pedalling but not the back is that at least on conventional tandems the front rider is commonly the stronger rider. That may not be the case here of course

              – Chris H
              15 hours ago



















            • One downside of the front rider being able to stop pedalling but not the back is that at least on conventional tandems the front rider is commonly the stronger rider. That may not be the case here of course

              – Chris H
              15 hours ago

















            One downside of the front rider being able to stop pedalling but not the back is that at least on conventional tandems the front rider is commonly the stronger rider. That may not be the case here of course

            – Chris H
            15 hours ago





            One downside of the front rider being able to stop pedalling but not the back is that at least on conventional tandems the front rider is commonly the stronger rider. That may not be the case here of course

            – Chris H
            15 hours ago











            2














            I know of two solutions to your question - I'll post two brands, however they are not meant as an advertisement, rather as a starting point for further search.



            One is used by Onderwater Fiets from Amsterdam. Their tandems (and also more persons bikes) combine the stoker and pilot function and are meant for families. There, the drive is permanent between the last bottom bracket and the rear wheel and other bottom brackets are somehow free-wheeled so the passengers in front can pedal individually.



            The other is R&B Fly, not much can be found about those on the Internet. Funny thing, I own one, hence the independent drive can be further inspected. There, each chainring (single for the pilot; double, same size for the stoker) attached to the crankset is freewheeled, thus pedalling can be done independent. Anyway, this bike awaits some renovation, I haven't ridden it yet.



            Thus, it is possible to build a tandem with independent drivetrains and with enough invention you can even build one where the cadence don't need to match (add a front derailleur and triple chainring to the pilot's seat for higher / same / lower cadence as the stoker).






            share|improve this answer
























            • You might also need to add a chain tensioner (last para), but that shouldn't be too hard. Those Amsterdam ones you mention are presumably rear-steer rather like the ones I asked about a few years ago

              – Chris H
              7 hours ago
















            2














            I know of two solutions to your question - I'll post two brands, however they are not meant as an advertisement, rather as a starting point for further search.



            One is used by Onderwater Fiets from Amsterdam. Their tandems (and also more persons bikes) combine the stoker and pilot function and are meant for families. There, the drive is permanent between the last bottom bracket and the rear wheel and other bottom brackets are somehow free-wheeled so the passengers in front can pedal individually.



            The other is R&B Fly, not much can be found about those on the Internet. Funny thing, I own one, hence the independent drive can be further inspected. There, each chainring (single for the pilot; double, same size for the stoker) attached to the crankset is freewheeled, thus pedalling can be done independent. Anyway, this bike awaits some renovation, I haven't ridden it yet.



            Thus, it is possible to build a tandem with independent drivetrains and with enough invention you can even build one where the cadence don't need to match (add a front derailleur and triple chainring to the pilot's seat for higher / same / lower cadence as the stoker).






            share|improve this answer
























            • You might also need to add a chain tensioner (last para), but that shouldn't be too hard. Those Amsterdam ones you mention are presumably rear-steer rather like the ones I asked about a few years ago

              – Chris H
              7 hours ago














            2












            2








            2







            I know of two solutions to your question - I'll post two brands, however they are not meant as an advertisement, rather as a starting point for further search.



            One is used by Onderwater Fiets from Amsterdam. Their tandems (and also more persons bikes) combine the stoker and pilot function and are meant for families. There, the drive is permanent between the last bottom bracket and the rear wheel and other bottom brackets are somehow free-wheeled so the passengers in front can pedal individually.



            The other is R&B Fly, not much can be found about those on the Internet. Funny thing, I own one, hence the independent drive can be further inspected. There, each chainring (single for the pilot; double, same size for the stoker) attached to the crankset is freewheeled, thus pedalling can be done independent. Anyway, this bike awaits some renovation, I haven't ridden it yet.



            Thus, it is possible to build a tandem with independent drivetrains and with enough invention you can even build one where the cadence don't need to match (add a front derailleur and triple chainring to the pilot's seat for higher / same / lower cadence as the stoker).






            share|improve this answer













            I know of two solutions to your question - I'll post two brands, however they are not meant as an advertisement, rather as a starting point for further search.



            One is used by Onderwater Fiets from Amsterdam. Their tandems (and also more persons bikes) combine the stoker and pilot function and are meant for families. There, the drive is permanent between the last bottom bracket and the rear wheel and other bottom brackets are somehow free-wheeled so the passengers in front can pedal individually.



            The other is R&B Fly, not much can be found about those on the Internet. Funny thing, I own one, hence the independent drive can be further inspected. There, each chainring (single for the pilot; double, same size for the stoker) attached to the crankset is freewheeled, thus pedalling can be done independent. Anyway, this bike awaits some renovation, I haven't ridden it yet.



            Thus, it is possible to build a tandem with independent drivetrains and with enough invention you can even build one where the cadence don't need to match (add a front derailleur and triple chainring to the pilot's seat for higher / same / lower cadence as the stoker).







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 9 hours ago









            MikeMike

            3,78211026




            3,78211026













            • You might also need to add a chain tensioner (last para), but that shouldn't be too hard. Those Amsterdam ones you mention are presumably rear-steer rather like the ones I asked about a few years ago

              – Chris H
              7 hours ago



















            • You might also need to add a chain tensioner (last para), but that shouldn't be too hard. Those Amsterdam ones you mention are presumably rear-steer rather like the ones I asked about a few years ago

              – Chris H
              7 hours ago

















            You might also need to add a chain tensioner (last para), but that shouldn't be too hard. Those Amsterdam ones you mention are presumably rear-steer rather like the ones I asked about a few years ago

            – Chris H
            7 hours ago





            You might also need to add a chain tensioner (last para), but that shouldn't be too hard. Those Amsterdam ones you mention are presumably rear-steer rather like the ones I asked about a few years ago

            – Chris H
            7 hours ago










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