Quote Originally Posted by Veronica View Post
Our tandem has S & S couplers. This what half the bike looks like when packed. ...V.
It looks like you got the soft case. Have you had problems with damage on airplanes? I got the hard case cuz it seemed to offer more protection. Deb had asked about padding. As I was putting the case away today I realized that he did pad it with newspaper since it only had the frame and wheels, not as full as when she is fully built up. I took her on my first long ride today. She rode like a dream!! I was amazed, cuz at the beginning of the ride I could tell folks thought I was crazy to bring a steel bike out for a hilly club ride. But, I wanted to know what she would be like in that situation traveling. I did put the 11/34 cogset on, and she climbed like a dream. I don't have computer for her yet, but I was faster than a group of women that I usually have to struggle to stay with or pass me, and I even passed a guy walking his carbon trek up the first steep climb. I really knew I was doing well when a little before the halfway point it started to drizzle. I was worried it would get worse and my new brooks saddle would be ruined (I forgot her raincoat) so I decided to do an out and back instead of the planned loop. Well, that was the surprise cuz as I went back I could see all the folks still behind me (again, on their carbon fiber racing bikes!). I was not really trying to stay in a group, but kind of trying to get used to the bike and see what she could do. The ride was smooth as butter, and I actually think she felt more stable descending than my titanium isis with carbon fork. After the ride folks were really amazed how well we did, and that I was comfortable and fast without a carbon fork, etc.