5
Circe Cycles
To ensure that riding your bike is the pleasurable
experience it should be, it is essential that attention
be paid to correct fit. Ideally this should be done in
conjunction with an accredited dealer, but the following
points should be observed.
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
A tandem generally works better with the heavier rider
on the front. This is because the front rider, or ‘Captain’, is
responsible for stabilising the tandem when starting and
stopping, for steering, and for braking which particularly
on long descents can be very demanding.
SADDLE HEIGHT
This dimension is very important for bio-mechanical
efficiency and for protecting joints from injury. As a
working rule, with the pedal at the furthest position from
saddle and the rider’s heel on the pedal, the leg should
be straight to very slightly bent. This means that when
the foot is in the correct position with the ball of the
foot on the pedal axle, the knee will be slightly bent at
full extension. The degree of bend is personal, but it is
important that, at full extension during the pedalling cycle,
the knee is neither overstretched nor too bent.
‘!’ Certainly for children we advise the use of adjustable crank shorteners,
and anyone outside typical average leg lengths should consider such
shorteners or appropriate length cranks.
SADDLE ANGLE AND POSITION
Ideally the saddle should be adjusted fore/aft so that
the centre of the knee joint is vertically above the pedal
axle. The saddle top should be approximately horizontal,
but care should be taken with the angle of the s addle,
particularly so that the nose does not obstruct forward
rotation of the pelvis.
FORWARD EXTENSION AND BAR ADJUSTMENT
For comfortable riding, the amount of stretch of the
back, torso and arms are crucial. An experienced rider
should use the positions with which they are normally
comfortable, but for first time riders, a good starting
position should not be too stretched or bent over. With
familiarisation this position can be gradually adjusted. Both
front and back positions of the Helios offer considerable
adjustment for different rider sizes and riding styles.
CONTROLS AND RIDING TECHNIQUE
Traditionally the front rider is known as the ‘Captain’ and
the rear rider, the ‘Stoker’. The Captain steers, has control
of the brakes and gears and is responsible for stabilising
the tandem when starting and stopping. The Stoker pedals
and should otherwise relax and not attempt to steer! For
some applications, the Stoker may have an auxiliary drag
brake. The Captain should also give some feedback to
the stoker as to road conditions, for example, ‘bump’ and,
often, certainly with inexperienced couples, forewarning
of gear changes and sudden turns.
STARTING AND STOPPING
At start, the Captain will mount the tandem, keeping it
stable so that the Stoker can sit on the rear saddle with
feet on pedals ready to go. The Captain will then sit, and,
keeping the tandem upright with one leg, will, with the
stoker, start pedalling. It is important to start in a low gear
and for both riders to give a good hard push to get the
tandem underway!
To stop, the Captain should warn the Stoker and then, as
on a single bike, put one leg down to stabilize the bike.
The Stoker usually remains seated with feet on the pedals
but must keep still so as not to unbalance the tandem. If
the tandem is at rest for a longer period, one or both riders
should be prepared to place both feet on the ground.
BRAKES AND BRAKING TECHNIQUE
The Circe Helios is fitted with excellent brakes that are
able to stop the tandem quickly and safely. However, it
is important to remember that a tandem is heavy and,
consequently, with braking distances being greater than
on a single, it is very important to be aware of traffic
conditions and not rely on last-minute-panic-braking.
In use, both brakes should be used, but the front brake
is the much more effective brake and does the majority
of the stopping. Consequently, a lot of heat can be
generated in the front wheel braking surfaces and, if long
descents in mountainous areas are anticipated, some
form of auxiliary braking should be considered. If the
tandem is fitted with disc brakes, then rim brakes can be
added and vice versa if rim brakes are fitted. This enables
the different braking surfaces to be alternated and any
heat build up to be controlled better.
GEAR USAGE
Your Helios is fitted with a good range of gears, each
model having an appropriate gear range for its intended
use. It is important to use the gears to find a cadence
(leg spin speed) that is comfortable for both riders and,
by being aware of road conditions, to use the gears to
try and keep within this range. Although mutual comfort
is the most important requirement, a cadence of 80-100
is generally considered to give a good bio-mechanical
balance, though, obviously this may vary depending on a
variety of physical factors, both personal and terrain.
RIDING AND ADJUSTING YOUR TANDEM
