Just a frame...

Many people have been asking me about what upgrades we plan on doing to the bike to address the breakages we've been experiencing.
 
Realistically the breakages are a combination of several factors, the principle ones being:
 
1. A tandem bike that was not initially kitted out for true off-road cycling.
and...
2. Components that were not designed to manage the load generated by two riders with a combined weight of nearly 200kgs.
 
With this in mind we've taken some time to consider what our intentions are... what others riding tandems say and then to add to that the advice of the guys at PushBikes Papanui... and we've come up with the following upgrades!
 
Forks: Fox Talas 36 
Brakes: Shimano Saint (Hydraulic) front and rear 
Hubs: DMR 36 hole 20mm through axel front, quick release rear 
Rims: Mavic 729 36 hole 
Tyres: Maxxis Kevlar 
Tube: Maxxis Thorn proof 
Shifters: Shimano XT 
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT 
Front Derailleur: Shimano XT 
 
Additionally, there will be a new rear cassette, two new chains (one timing and one drive) and new cabling for the gearing.... 

Cranks for a Tandem are a bit of a tricky one at the moment but these will be upgraded as soon as we can get some tandem specific ones!! 

Maybe the shorter answer would have been "We're keeping the frame...the rest is being changed!!"

Feel free to give us your thoughts or comments on this stuff... we're always happy to hear from you.