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Height mismatch: short pilot, large stoker

graham waterfield2026-01-26 18:11:33

Height mismatch: short pilot, large stoker

My pilot is strong and capable but only 5 foot 2.

I am 5 foot 4.

We ride a second-hand Thorn Tandem and I don’t know which Thorn size it is.  

  He has shortened the stem considerably which I think has affected its handling (I certainly can’t steer it) and does rather undermine my confidence on technical descents.   And he has set his saddle as far forward as it goes.   

I am now convinced that the tandem is just too big for him And I am looking for something that's a better fit.

I have scoured the tandems "for sale" (I get them automatically in my email) for quite some time and it appears that all the Tandem Club pilots are at least 5 foot 8!   

Does anybody have any thoughts about why Tandem club pilots are all giants?

More importantly can anyone suggest how we might source something that fits better?  The pilot would be happy to transfer the bits from the present Tandem onto a new frame.   Thorn have a "small pilot medium stoker" frame for sale on their website.  However they state its for large, strong stokers and although large I am not strong.  I am also suspecting that Thorns are a bit too indestructible and heavy for our light touring needs.  Are we going to have to go to a frame builder? 

Anne

Michael Brooks2026-01-26 20:39:20
Hi Anne, have you considered a Circe tandem the smaller wheels make them more adjustable for size? I tried to get a friend to pilot for my stoker once and he had a constant handle bar shake, where I was comfortable to ride no handed and remove my waterproof and hand it to my stoker while cycling! 
Stephen Gray2026-01-26 20:45:16

Not all pilots  are 5'8" or above! I am only 5' 7" and I know plenty of of other pilots of my height or shorter.

your heights aren't wildly different, so I think a small small frame would be good for you. For lighter options, plenty of great advice and the ability to test ride a variety of tandems with adjustments made between rides, visit  JD Tandems in  Gargrave N Yorks. Arrange to spend the day with them with a phone call to tell them your needs beforehand. It will be well worth your while.

Peter Randall2026-01-27 07:31:54

Hi Anne PM sent 

regards Carole 

graham waterfield2026-02-20 18:29:44

Hello everybody,

and thank you for all your comments.   Here is an update.

We have been to JD tandems and enjoyed trialling an Orbit velocity 

on the hilly 12 mile loop that they suggested.  It was a size "small" and I didn't find it too small at the back.

The main problem now is that we saw the very expensive French Cyfac 

and we are feeling very tempted (To spend three times as much money!)

so we can have a shorter wheelbase And Columbus steel frame.

I would be interested hear from anyone  With an opinion Or experience

Regarding the Cyfac tandems...

 

anne

John Johnson2026-02-21 17:50:29

Hi Anne.  With regard to your interest in a Cyfac tandem from John and Ruth at JD Tandems.  We bought a new one from them last year and have been very pleased with it.  It's a beautiful frame and we've had a good spec on it.  It's made to measure of course, which does make it expensive, and it also splits in two so that  hopefully we can get it on main line trains easier!  The manufacture and delivery is quite long...We ordered ours from them in October 2024 and it arrived early in September 2025. This was due to the factory, not JD. This bike will eventually replace our Cannondale T2 which has done some miles now.  The Cyfac comes up a little bit heavier than the Cannondale, due to the steel frame, but it handles a treat in all conditions.  John and Ruth did a great job of speccing it and building up for us.  So in conclusion, the Cyfac is a lovely bike, but I would agree that is is rather expensive.  Best wishes for happy cycling. John and Anne Johnson.

Cait Rickard2026-02-21 22:47:29
We have also had a hand-built Cyfac tandem - for over three years now - I believe it was only the second that Cyfac built for JD. It is an absolutely fabulous tandem, with couplings so we can carry it on the back of our camper, and it fits us perfectly as I am 5:1 and my partner is 6:2. It is our second hand-built tandem, having ridden a Caygill for many years prior to this, but the Cyfac gives a much more comfortable ride. Yes, it was a very expensive purchase but worth every penny as we ride it every week and tour on it in the summer. John and Ruth were a delight to deal with and delivered a bike that is exactly right for us. We also met the frame builder and the Cyfac team at the Semaine Fédérale in France the year after buying the bike and were very impressed with their expertise and all the bikes they had for sale. Highly recommended. Cait and Steve Rickard
Ruth Hargreaves2026-02-22 17:32:36

Thank you for your nice comments about the Cyfac and your experience of dealing with John and I. Bob Jackson Cycles used to build our steel frames for us but they closed down during Covid. So we then switched our steel frame supply to Cyfac. 

Cyfac have been building carbon frames for us for maybe 10 years, so we have a lot of history with them, they are really great people as you discovered.

Regards Ruth

Cait Rickard2026-02-21 22:47:29
We have also had a hand-built Cyfac tandem - for over three years now - I believe it was only the second that Cyfac built for JD. It is an absolutely fabulous tandem, with couplings so we can carry it on the back of our camper, and it fits us perfectly as I am 5:1 and my partner is 6:2. It is our second hand-built tandem, having ridden a Caygill for many years prior to this, but the Cyfac gives a much more comfortable ride. Yes, it was a very expensive purchase but worth every penny as we ride it every week and tour on it in the summer. John and Ruth were a delight to deal with and delivered a bike that is exactly right for us. We also met the frame builder and the Cyfac team at the Semaine Fédérale in France the year after buying the bike and were very impressed with their expertise and all the bikes they had for sale. Highly recommended. Cait and Steve Rickard