From: pamela@keps.kodak.com (Pamela Blalock)
Subject: Re: Never call bumps again
Organization: Kodak Electronic Printing Systems
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 15:43:46 GMT

In article <1992Apr7.211020.20541@beaver.cs.washington.edu> pardo@cs.washington.edu (David Keppel) writes:
>pamela@keps.kodak.com (Pamela Blalock) writes:
>>[Try that Allsop suspension seatpost!]
>
>My stokers, especially my regular stoker, have complained about bump
>butt.  With this in mind, I went to look at a variety of solutions.
>
> - The local Allsop dealers don't acutally stock ridable bikes with
>these things.  I was lucky enough to find a Tri bike 1/2" too big
>for me that I could ride.  I only had time to ride about 4 miles.  At
>the start of the ride I had a lot of vertical motion with every
>stroke.  By the end of the ride I had learned to pedal a way that
>reduced the vertical motion, but I still think there's something
>fundamentally wrong with putting a spring between you tush and the
>pedals.  

As is typical with me, I bought the Allsop on recommendation alone (in
other words, I was not able to test ride it first - I did that with
the Burley too) It also took me a little while to get used to the
motion, especially the lateral motion. But getting the seat height
correct made a significant difference. As I mentioned in my original
post, this took a little twiddling since the seat gives when loaded!
I had my own concerns about the spring between the pedals and the seat, 
but amazingly enough, I really didn't notice a problem. 

>The Allsop increases the top-tube stradle
>height by 4" or so, which I found bothersome.  

It's not as noticeable on the back of a tandem, since I typically clip 
in when we get started and don't unclip til we get where we are going. 
Then I dismount by unclicking and doing a back flip (oops no more April
Fool's stories allowed) The geometry of the Burley (unlike the Cannondale)
also makes it a little easier. 

It's hard to adjust the
>seat height (a QR is out of the question).  

It took a few minutes to figure out how to do this (I didn't have the
instructions). The bolt takes a small hex wrench which of course
strips right away, but fortunately also takes a 15 mm box wrench,
which conveniently fits our rear non-quick release hub, so we already
carry one! Anyway, I found the difficult part to be judging how much
the seat would give. 

On the other hand, riding
>over bumps seated is far more comfortable.  

Absolutely. We have some of the roughest roads around New England
that I have ever riden on. They are tough on a single. Hell they are
tough on the captain! This has got to be one of my best purchases for
comfort in a while. 

> - On a net.recommendation I checked out the Hydra-Post.  It's both a
>spring and a damper.  The normal setup is that the seat doesn't move
>when you pedal or ride over small stuff but when you hit big stuff the
>seat ``gives'' then returns to ``home''. 
>Hydra-Post costs about $100.

Well I must have been snoozing and missed the discussion of this one. 
Although I have received a lot of mail about it recently :) Since I 
haven't ridden a bike with this post, I can't comment on the differences
between the two. Sounds like something I might try someday.

And as far as weight is concerned, Do you really notice extra weight 
on a tandem? :) Steve is always joking about all the bells and whistles
I have on the bike being heavy, so I just hide them in the back, where 
he can't see them them - out of sight - they don't weigh a thing! But 
for me things that add to the comfort and fun (like bells) of the ride
are well worth the weight. The bike will seem a lot heavier WITHOUT me!

>Ibis built a
>one-off prototype with Suspenders front and Offroad rear a year ago or
>so.  Although this will clearly be more expensive than a new seatpost,
>it seems like the ``right'' way to go.  Sorry, but I don't have any
>riding impressions :-)

Well I do have an Offroad-ProFlex that I use for commuting and
occassional playing in the woods. There is no comparison between the
suspension on the Offroad and that of the Allsop. The Offroad absorbs
some shock, but I still feel beat on rough roads and trails. In fact
after a weekend of fully suspended riding, the Offroad felt really
harsh for the ride in on Monday. (Although it's much better than 
no suspesion at all)

I do agree that future Tandems will have some sort of suspension and
there are many different paths that manufacturers will take. It is 
significant to note that in the past few years, tandem rear top tubes
have been lengthened for the comfort of the stokers and now suspensions
are being added for the comfort of the stokers. Looks like manufacturers
are recognizing that it's just no fun to ride a tandem ALONE! And if you
don't make the bike comfy for the stoker, that's where you will be!

One more data point. My bike is a Burley Rock 'n' Roll, currently using 
1.5 inch slicks. Hopefully now we can drop down to 1.25 inch slicks
without sacrificing my butt. The bigger tires definently make a difference
as far as comfort, but now we want to go even faster!!!

-- 
Pamela Blalock                                     pamela@keps.kodak.com
Kodak Electronic Printing Systems, Inc             3 down, 9 to go!
164 Lexington Road, Billerica, MA 01821-3984       
 
From: koren@hpfcdc.fc.hp.com (Steve Koren)
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1992 05:08:24 GMT
Subject: Re: upgrading freewheel
Organization: HP Fort Collins, Co.