Other Definitions
tandem bicycle (dict)
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Tandem BicycleThe tandem bicycle or twin is a form of bicycle designed to be powered by more than one person. Originally the tandem was composed of welding two bicycle frames together to form a two-person bicycle. Modern technology has improved component and frame designs, and many tandems are as well-built as modern high-end road and off-road bikes. Because of the additional stresses caused by multiple riders, tandems typically have stronger components than ordinary bicycles. a tandem has double the pedalling power, it has about the same wind resistance as a single bike. It also has less than double the weight, so the power to weight ratio is higher than a single rider bicycle. These factors can make them very fast, especially downhill, though generally slower than single bicycles on climbs. The front rider steers the bicycle and is known as the captain, pilot, or steersman; the rear rider is the stoker, navigator, or rear admiral. On most designs of tandem the two sets of pedals are mechanically linked and turn at the same rate: some designs have independent pedals. Tandems are also available as tricycles; the conventional tandem trike has a small but devoted following in the United Kingdom, and is available in one-wheel and two-wheel drive designs. Recumbent tandem tricycles are also gaining popularity throughout the world. Beyond tandems is the world of multi-bikes. Bicycles for three, four, or five riders are "triples" or "triplets", "quads" or "quadruplets", and "quints" or "quintuplets" respectively. A famous ten-person bicycle or "decemtuplet", the "Oriten", was built in 1896 by the Orient Cycle Company. Perhaps the largest bicycle ever built was the forty-seater built in 1984 in Queanbeyan, Australia. Tandem bicycles are often used in competitions for blind and visually impaired cyclists, who ride as stokers with a fully-sighted pilot. External links
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