Rode an Altena tandem way back in 2006 at York show.
Last year we had a go on the oVo tandem as featured in Velo Vision.

Didn't bother to much about them afterwards as our tandem experience and commercial interest has been on the Helios compact tandem - an upright model of course.

Tandem interest always exists of course but like recumbency it's a tiny bit of the market. Even less so as the modern bike must be car friendly - the fold and compactness is a major factor. Stowing on a train is a consideration for us too.

Earlier this year Nazca sent a tweet which announced a new model. This turned out to be a 'stretched' Gaucho put together by Henk initially to provide a tandem to ride with a blind friend. Other Euro tandems existed of course apart from those above. The Twin from Azub and ones from M5 and Zox. All of them are rare and I would imagine that RANS in the USA have made more of their Screamer model.

Anyway we now have a Quetzal and did some miles on it today. Steering is good as it uses the Nazca Aerobar which gives a lot of control. Irene and I rode it first time yesterday so today showed a marked improvement for us. She's never ridden a solo recumebnt before so was ideal to partner me. She has ridden oftent on an upright Helios so was able to compare. Anyway we had a great time and avoided too many trafficed roads. Rode around 20 miles so far. Her view was 'yes' she's happy to do more. We did do hills of course but yet to get it into gear one on the Rohloff.

As an advert for 'funny' bikes it scores high. People are bored looking at solo ones now it seems. With two people laid back the bike gets noticed so good from a commerce point of view. The finish is first class and looks like it's a 'sorted' model. The chain is tensioned front and back and runs on one side only. The rear B/B runs on the double space framed tubing. The stoker has freewheel so can chime in on the drive - I think this allows a bit more control as tandeming and recumbancy are two concepts that need to be acquired to some degree.
The frame can fold in centre with four joining bolts and two hinge bolts on a the frame junction. It feels very rigid but you can hit bad surfaces and nothing happens. There are a pair of rear shocks on a re-enforced swing arm.

We'll try and get action shots soon.

Meanwhile Hank and Monique from Nazca are cycling in France with their yellow one.


Untitled by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr


Nazca Quetzal at Cramond by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr


Quetzal sliding rear b/b by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr


Mystery bike two by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr


Mystery bike... by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 16/07/2012 12:10PM by LaidBack.

Sounds like an excuse for another visit to Edinburgh :-)

--
Peter Eland - Velo Vision publisher

Yes... of course it will need reviewed. Must be the least mass-market bike we've had. We also have a Milan vm (sold) here at moment so quite unusual window display at moment!

On plus side the Quetzal can be ridden solo and from our point of view advertises the business and provides entertainment. Also very comfortable.
It does show Nazca's attention to detail with the frame feeling good and tough.
Irene and I are continuing to assess although it has to stay at shop as not compatible to spiral staircases!

"As an advert for 'funny' bikes it scores high. People are bored looking at solo ones now it seems."

You've got the wrong colour of it.*

You should have got it in applegreen, firered, or melon yellow.

Applegreen.


*I have in one of the boring colours.

Apple green is nice...

Henk and Monique at Nazca have a yellow one and it's gone a lot further too. Over 450km so far on their holiday.

Observant viewers will see that the pedals are out of synch in one shot. We do have a freewheel or IPS on rear B?B. Something I wouldn't fit on a tandem normally as the chain is the communication line. I thought it might make it an easier proposition for novice stokers (rear seat passengers?). In one way it works as it allows input from the back when required on easy stuff but on steeper hills it's better to be in phase. Just an experiment. When you have an unconventional bike you may as well see what else can be changed.

We will probably lock it off now and see how it is in around a normal tandem synch.

So we've finally taken the Quetzal out of Edinburgh...

Overall impression is that it's luxurious and able to handle any surface you'd care to ride over. On The Pentcaitland path the surface is whin dust with some muddy bits. Was one bit where a small river had cut a ditch. The bike went over with no trouble.
Starting we've mastered the two feet on back pedals for stoker start... Irene's confidence has gone up although she's still a bit mystified why I'm not totally tuned in to it. I can cycle it quite easily solo and have taken it right through centre of town with no problem stopping and starting. (I've also given young Ben from The Bicycle Works a quick spin round the local streets. He thought it was amazing ... and spent rest of his shift telling the others. )

We took luggage. Destination was at 130m with some bits up to 170m. Round trip of 50 miles with a night stay at hotel. Two half days really as we did need a break and although we like bikes I also like sitting in a beer garden away from the city centre. Of course in Edinburgh city no-one noticed it at all as festival is on...;-)

The car in the shot is not ours.... don't think the bike would go in it although frame does fold.

Hotel in Gifford by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 14/08/2012 09:10PM by LaidBack.