x2Cycle Tandem Rack

[Melalvai]

This is a new product. http://www.x2cycle.com/ Does anyone have any experience with it? It seems like the perfect solution for me. I could use it to pick up/drop off my 12 yr old daughter from school, practices and lessons that are >2 miles away, and I could use it with my husband so he can go on long rides with me, that are beyond his ability otherwise. And we can use it with my daughter to go on medium-length rides, that he can do but she doesn't want to.

[singletrackmind]

If cost isn't an issue perhaps a Co-motion Periscope instead? It'd fit both husband and daughter and a tandem can be ridden solo when need be. Then it just looks like you lost somebody, is all. :D

[Melalvai]

Cost is very much an issue, before I came across this x2Cycle thing I was trying to figure out how we could possibly save up for a tandem. The x2Cycle can be taken on and off fairly easily, according to the website. It is pretty new so it doesn't surprise me no one has heard of it. I think I'm going to chance it after payday and I'll let you all know how it works out.

[Melalvai]

Yay!! My tandem rack (x2Cycle) arrived today.
Assembling the bits to the various bikes was pretty easy, although very sweaty in this heat.
My daughter is at grandma's, and my husband is busy tonight, so I cornered a friend to ride her bike and try out the tandem rack.

Granted the friend is not an experienced or accomplished cyclist, can barely stay upright, but this is going to take some practice!! If I can get the family to stick with it, this is going to be absolutely wonderful. I'm a little concerned that they won't be willing to put the time in to learn how to use it. It's just going to take coordination between both riders.

The other tricky bit will be getting the two of them to practice using it. I got extra connector bits so their two bikes can hook together. The possible combinations are (leader & follower): me & husband, me & daughter, or husband & daughter.

I'll keep you posted on how it works out. I think it's going to be wonderful, and would be great for couples with unmatched strength, or if you have a kid who is about to outgrow the trailabike. The only alternative is an actual tandem which is ~$1000 (used).

[singletrackmind]

Don't forget some pictures with that! :)

[mimitabby]

i would be terrified of the wheels of the rear bike coming into contact with the front bike's back wheel. Also turns on curbs...

[Melalvai]

Friday night my husband & I practiced with it. We did one start & stop and discovered the connector on his bike was loose.

Saturday I tightened his connector, and made sure my daughter's was tight too, and we tried again. We started & stopped several times and went around the block. We felt pretty confident make slow wide turns both directions. It was a lot easier since he is a competent rider.

Today, my daughter came home from Grandma's. She took this picture of us going around the block again, then she & I practiced some starts & stops, then she wanted to go around the block. It was a lot easier to train her now that I knew what I was doing.

It's been so hot we haven't gone out until after 8:00, and then only 10 or 15 minutes. My husband & I have had about half an hour practice now, and I think next time we'll practice in traffic. It's too early to tell but I'd estimate an hour or two of training would make us pretty comfortable on the streets.

All in all I'm pretty happy with it and I think it is a great investment.

To start and stop we say "1 2 3" then the foot comes down. It is important to give a warning when slowing. The safety release works really really well. I had each of them ride up next to me to make it release.

[Melalvai]

My daughter & I made our first trip to her school with the connector. It's 4 miles, and it was raining lightly, which was nice, until it started raining a little heavier. But we were almost there then.

I can't believe how well it went. I didn't forget anything. I had a change of clothes for both of us, I remembered her lock and her key. We never came apart the entire trip. 4 miles is a long enough trip, particularly through town with hills & traffic, that she is usually tired out, but she was still energetic to start the day. She enjoyed it too.

Taking her to school makes for a long morning ride for me (10 miles)--something I view as a bonus! I got pretty wet but that sure beats this heat we've had.

The only problem we had is when my husband picked her up from school in the car, both of them forgot to put the bike on the bike rack. So he had to go back this morning to retrieve the bike.

I wish I had a picture of my daughter & me with the connector. Particularly because this time we were both wearing helmets. :) We always do (for some values of "always"), the reason my husband & I weren't in that picture is because we were just toodling around the neighborhood a bit.