PRODUCT REVIEW

lightly wider handlebars. Mounting the bike was easy for both of us, given the low top tube. imagine this is a real boon especially as the tandeming years go by, and it also provides more standover clearance if you fi t front suspension forks or ride off road. The extensive adjustability of the stoker stem made it very easy to reach a comfortable position. As a captain with some experience I immediately liked the feedback from the bars. The Landescape has been designed with positive steer, whereas

most tandems have neutral steer (for a more limited effect on the steering when you lean over). The positive steer is intended to make it less hard work for the captain’s upper body when going up hill. Without a blind test and in our limited ride time, it was diffi cult to form a fi rm opinion on this. But even an experienced captain will notice any movements the stoker makes on the Landescape, particularly at slow speed. A novice team may initially fi nd this disconcerting before gaining confi dence and learning not to fi ght each other’s actions. The combination of the steering and the excellent tyres made us want to throw the tandem into the corners and to keep off the brakes. The test bike was fi tted with Schwalbe Racer

wrapped with Brookes leather handlebar tape. We didn’t fi nd this the most comfortable tape: it proved slippy in the wet, but should be hard wearing. The Synergy twin bolt clamp holding the captain’s seat post is an excellent design. It holds the seat post in place and resists the turning leverage applied by the stoker’s handlebars. The stoker seat was set up with a Satori suspension seatpost which proved easy to adjust and did the job of taming unannounced hits with no side-to-side play. A Profi le 40cm handlebar was equipped with Diacompe dummy drop levers. Synergy also offer their own upswept design stoker bars for those who prefer this style. The bars were attached to the captain’s seat post with a Synergy stoker stem with Satori adjustable riser. We really loved this super adjustable stoker stem set up. It’s one of the longest reach stoker stems we’ve seen, allowing the option of trying different positions or swapping bars whilst maintaining a good fi t in future. Very useful if you ride with different stokers. A Middleburn tandem crossover chainset was fi tted, with 175 mm cranks and 42-32-22 rings. Other

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crank lengths are available. We like to spin a high cadence, but a higher top gear would have been useful. The lowest gear got us up all the hills we encountered. As clearance is not so important for a road tandem, we would have preferred larger (38 or 40T) timing chain rings as this seems to allow more subtle communication through the pedals than the Middleburn Uno 32 tooth chain rings fi tted. We’re not the strongest team and we do like to spin, but we also enjoy a good uphill challenge. The expensive Middleburn cranksets are claimed to be super-rigid for climbing, but even standing on the pedals, it was diffi cult to judge any particular greater rigidity. The black cranks and chain rings do look dapper, though.

THE RIDE The test bike was supplied as a fast day ride bike, weighing approx 43lbs (19.2 kg) with our own pedals and saddles. The paint fi nish looked snazzy, drew admirers and proved tough on newly laid road chippings. As a 6'4" captain I was at the limit of what the frame is designed for but found the size OK. I simply would have specifi ed a longer stem and
LANDESCAPE TANDEMS

700c (622) x 30 tyres. Fat enough to feel comfortable yet they rolled along well and felt great in the corners – some front tyres squish and squirm on a tandem. The captain felt confi dent even in the wet. The subject of tandem braking set-ups generates more heat than a fully loaded Alpine decent. It’s not just extra stopping power you require but the ability to dissipate the decelerating energy transformed into heat – without the brakes fading or inner tube splitting, or the hands giving up with cramp. The test bike came with Avid BB road mechanical disc brakes. Although not fully broken in (the rear brakes screeched a bit in the wet) they were adequate in the Yorkshire Dales, but we were lightly loaded and we did not encounter any massive descents so they weren’t tested to the extreme. The rear could have done with a stronger spring (which may be available from Landescape soon) to compensate for the length of cable, as we found adjustment tricky. You could of course fi t rim brakes if you prefer. A V-brake was also fi tted, operated by the stoker via a bar end shifter. This was useful as a parking brake – but probably not wise to use otherwise. The frame was not fi tted with a Pacman mount for Arai drag brake. This seems a shame considering the amount of other frame fi ttings, and would just add to customer choice. Front derailleurs can be a problem on tandems, as it’s diffi cult to see or hear what’s going on. The Ergo levers

allow you to trim the front derailleur position, and while this was useful we didn’t fi nd it as easy as with a direct-feel friction lever. We also over shifted when changing down and trying to fi nd the middle ring a couple of times – but this might just all require more familiarity and practice. The mix of Shimano cassette and Campag levers worked fi ne, but the roller converter does require correct set-up which is less than obvious. Generally we found that the Landescape bowled along well – whether standing on the pedals going uphill or head down on the drops desperately trying to get off the A19 as the light was fading. The ride was comfortable, although as with all tandems it is useful if you can learn to pedal together whilst standing to give your saddle a break. We didn’t have a chance to see how the bike handled when fully loaded with front and rear panniers. But it is possible to fi t racks. The front fork comes with bosses to take a low rider. To clear the rear disc brake Landescape supply stainless steel rack adaptors which are secured to the frame via mounting holes which are re-tapped to M6. The rack legs would also need to be splayed

Double canti brake sockets accommodate either 26" or 700c wheels. The main brake here, though, is the disk. The stoker-operated V-brake is there as emergency backup and also makes a useful parking brake.

Using a wide-range Shimano cassette with Campag shifters means an adaptor is required to match the sprocket spacing. The Landescape’s takes the form of a roller device attached to the rear derailleur.

slightly. Whilst they would be happy to do this for you, the load will be slightly wider and with the rack legs further apart they may not prove as strong or stiff over extended use. A two wheeled trailer might be the best solution for serious load carrying. Tandems are great load haulers, and with the extra mass to keep both wheels fi rmly on the ground and two people pedalling it is easier overcome the pulsing start/stop inertia of a trailer. And the bike remains fast and light when you leave the trailer behind.

COMPETITION What else could you get for your money? Unless you go to a custom-build, most other tandems are supplied as models with fi xed specifi cations. The Cannondale Road Tandem at around £2100 is probably the closest comparison to the test bike, with an aluminium frame, drop bars, 700c wheels and Avid disc brakes. They are available in a wide selection of sizes but trying before you buy may prove diffi cult. Cannondale frames have a quality fi nish, but simple changes to bars or saddles will push the price up. Other out of the box manufactures include Dawes at approx £750 – £1350, Trek (around £800 – £2500)

and Santana (£2400-£9000+). Tandems from Orbit (£900-£1500 or so) and Thorn (£1600-£2000+) may allow you some fl exibility.

CONCLUSIONS The Landescape makes it easy for a wide range of couples to ride tandem ‘properly’ with its emphasis on adjustability and fi t. As the tandem-specifi c components are designed with plenty of adjustability, and as other parts can be selected to suit your budget, it may well mean a more comfortable fi t and better value than an out-the-box tandem. If you already own a tandem, take a look at the super-adjustable stoker stem and give the Schwable Marathon racer tyres a trial. But however fl exible it is, no bike can do everything, and while the Landescape is a good performer on road, I’m not convinced it is necessarily the best choice as a fullon tourer or as a full off-road bike, even with the 26" wheels fi tted. Also, if you’re going to spend over £2,000 for a tandem you may be disappointed with the welded frame fi nish, especially if you compare it to a Cannondale frame. It’s worth considering the balance of spending between frame and components and how you might upgrade in the future. But if you fancy a fast road tandem and one for slightly rougher stuff, and have neither the space or the money for two, the Landescape is well worth a test ride. Trying before you buy is clearly really important. Try your fi rst tandeming in the right environment. Then try several bikes to see what suits: comfort and fi t are essential. The Landescape dealerships and Tandem Experience network are a great addition to this process in the UK.

Jonty and Joasia Semper

AVAILABILITY Landescape Tandems: Tel 0845 6023416 or see www.landescapetandems.com There are fi ve UK retailers, and delivery can also be arranged via dealers in the EU or beyond. Contact Landescape for details.

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