OPINION
TANDEMS: TWICE THE FUN ON TWO WHEELS
From wedding presents to modern tech advancements, tandems maintain a strong niche in the cycling world. Peter Weeks, Chair of the UK Tandem Club, explores the enduring appeal of these unique bicycles, highlighting their use in leisure cycling, for visually impaired riders, and even competitive events, making them a key consideration for retailers catering to diverse customer needs.
Of all my bikes, what’s my favourite? That’s easy - the tandem that I ride
with my wife.” What comes to your mind when I say that? “Sounds like fun.” “Wow, I think my grandparents rode a tandem on their honeymoon.” “Not seen one of those for a while.” Bikes made for two or more people enjoy a devoted following among families and couples. They really are twice the fun. Tandems have a long history and remain a niche in the big world of cycling, but that hasn’t stopped them. There’s the obvious romantic appeal of a couple cycling together. One couple, members of the Tandem Club, received their first tandem as a wedding present from their parents more than 50 years ago.
The UK Tandem Club, which started in order to ensure the supply of tandem-specific parts, has grown into a large national association on the back of the huge growth we have seen in leisure cycling. Since a tandem places extra demands on the brakes, gears and wheels, modern bike technology has crossed over especially well into the world of tandems.
We have also seen advances like lighter and stronger frames, the use of new materials, couplings which allow you to split the frame, and wide-range hub gears. Couplings, in particular, make a tandem easy to transport and open up the world to tandem cyclists to travel by train and plane. Tandem riders come in all shapes and sizes. For young
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July 2025 | 41
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