Tandem crank timing
Tandem crank timing
Not my area of expertise this! I cannot get the pilot and stoker cranks perfectly aligned. That being so, which do I have a head, or does it even matter? It's less than a tooth out.
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roubaixtuesday
- Posts: 6745
- Joined: 18 Aug 2015, 7:05pm
Re: Tandem crank timing
I'd be amazed if you could tell either way by one tooth.
I've noticed ours out after maintenance by more, but by sight after use without realising.
Some people run them 90 degrees out.
I've noticed ours out after maintenance by more, but by sight after use without realising.
Some people run them 90 degrees out.
Re: Tandem crank timing
You may be able to rotate one of the timing chains on the 5 arm spider to bring it into synchronization. 
one of the 5 possible positions may be almost ideal. I prefer having the captains crank leading, so you won't have an issue with grounding the stokers pedal during cornering if yours clears.
More of an issue if the cranks are 90° out.
one of the 5 possible positions may be almost ideal. I prefer having the captains crank leading, so you won't have an issue with grounding the stokers pedal during cornering if yours clears. More of an issue if the cranks are 90° out.
Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X2, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840, Giant Bowery, Apollo transition. 
Re: Tandem crank timing
We find the best arrangement is to have the stokers cranks slightly advanced of the captain's cranks. In this configuration the stoker feels like they are putting effort in. We have tried it with the captain's cranks slightly in advance, but the stoker feels like she is spinning too freely.
By slightly advanced, I mean 1 or 2 teeth out.
By slightly advanced, I mean 1 or 2 teeth out.
Re: Tandem crank timing
I prefer being a smidgen ahead of the stoker. Otherwise it can be very disconcerting when I'm about to put maximum force on the downward pedal, and then suddenly there's unexpected force from behind, and I seem to "miss" the moment. For me it's much better to have the extra propulsion just after maximum pressure, following through, IYSWIM.
Re: Tandem crank timing
In the likely use of the tandem the stoker will be the more powerful rider.
Re: Tandem crank timing
We have the cranks out of phase on our touring tandem and in phase on our racing tandem. When going from one tandem to the other, it takes about ten minutes to get used to the difference.
On the racing tandem, the captain's cranks are 1-2 teeth ahead of the stoker's, that seems to work best for us, particularly when sprinting out of the saddle.
On the racing tandem, the captain's cranks are 1-2 teeth ahead of the stoker's, that seems to work best for us, particularly when sprinting out of the saddle.