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Custom Calfee Tetra
S&S @ 30.3 lbs
36h White Industries
MI5 / MI6 Hubset
36h Velocity Fusion Rims
(19mm x 25mm)
Sapim SG spokes
Cost: ~$550 - $650
Very light, but robust (1,950 grams / 4.3 lbs) conventional wheelset for daily use and tours where the most important features are durability, reliability, and ease of repair. Moreover, training on the more robust and less aerodynamic wheels also ensures wear and tear on the more expensive to repair high-zoot wheelsets are minimized while also letting you enjoy their performance benefits during competition or for those "special occasions". After all, if you train on racing wheels, they aren't racing wheels anymore.
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Custom Calfee Tetra
S&S @ 30.5 lbs
36h White Industries
Daisy Hubset
36h Velocity Deep-V Rims
(19mm x 30mm)
Sapim DB spokes
Cost: ~$550 - $650
Light, but robust (2,050 grams / 4.5 lbs) conventional wheelset for daily use and tours where the most important features are durability, reliability, and ease of repair. Same benefits as somewhat lighter Fusion wheelset but with a slightly more robust rim with deeper section rim which looks a bit more proportional to the large diameter tubeset used on the Calfee.
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Custom Calfee Tetra
S&S @ 30.2 lbs
2007 Rolf Prima Vigor
Tandem Wheelset
(Decals Removed) (19mm
x 34mm)
MSRP $949.00
Very light (1,850 grams / 4.1 lbs) low spoke count / paired spoke racing wheels best suited for fast and flat riding conditions, e.g., time trials or low-country riding locales. Not the best choice for touring or even rallies unless a back-up wheelset will be available as these wheels are really not field servicable, lest someone void their warranty by using the incorrect spoke tension during a rebuilt / repair. Note: Initially had a set of the '08 model year Rolfs w/31mm deep section and they were not well suited for aggressive handling. Our prior year '07 model years Rolfs with their 34mm deep section seem to have less lateral deflection and are just fine for a team of our weight, i.e., 285 lbs.
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Custom Calfee Tetra
S&S @ 29.7 lbs
Topolino Technology AX
3.0-T Wheelset
(19mm x 30mm)
MSRP $1,349.00
Unbelievably light (1,520 grams / 3.4 lbs) using carbon/kevlar hybrid spokes and reduced spoke count (24F & 30R) wheels best suited for all around riding as well as moderate to heavy climbing, except where a rear disc or drum brake is needed to manage descents. As with the Rolfs, probably not the best choice for touring or even rallies unless a back-up wheelset will be available as these wheels are really not field servicable. However, they look distinctive and are well-suited for the Calfee frames given their high-tech pedigree; however, these are not technically low-drag 'aero' wheels. Instead, consider them as a lightweight alternative to conventional wheelsets: very robust. |


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Update
#1: January 3, 2008: Our Calfee Tetra Tandem Arrives: Background
on why I selected a Calfee and what makes our frame unique.
Update
#2: January 12, 2008: Build 99% Complete... And The First Ride: First impressions on the build-up
and ride qualities as well as a description of the initial components,
the weight, cost, and some other thoughts.
Update
#3: February 10, 200: First 30 days & 250 miles: Dealing with a new type of eccentric,
trying to resolve some handling issues and working around an
RF interference issue with my stoker's wireless computer.
Update #4: February 24, 2008: First 45 days &
300 miles: Back-to-back
riding comparisons with our Erickson steel tandem and first impressions
of low-spoke count / paired-spoke racing wheels.
Update
#5: March 2, 2008: Ever Wonder How Much Influence Wheels and
Tires Have On Your Tandem's Performance? Our first chance to ride the Calfee with conventional
wheels solves the early handling issues.
Update
#6: March 16, 2008: As The Wheels Turn.... And Other Weighty
Issues: A little more
on wheel comparisons, disc brake rotor clearance, and some final
thoughts on our experience with low-spoke count / paired-spoke
racing wheels.
Update
#7: March 30, 2008: And Now For Something Completely Different:
Tandems East's '08 Tandem Expo:
Meeting Craig Calfee for the first time along with several other
industry representatives and enthusiasts while attending one
of the few tandem expos held here in the US.
Update
#8: April 19, 2008: It's the Little Things.... And Some New Wheels: A few tweaks, some different water
bottle cages, and yet another wheel set: these babies are keepers.
Update
#9: May 11, 2008: Back In Black... And More On Wheels: The Calfee takes on a more stealthy
look, an update on the Topolino's and a new set of old wheels:
Rolfs Part Deux.
Update
#10: May 27, 2008: Wheels, Rims, & Unexpected Consequences:
Debbie's Calfee:
We are so impressed with the Calfee tandem that a 3rd Calfee
bike is added to the family livery, plus updates on wheels, creaks,
and a short photo retrospective on US: 2008 compared to 1997.
Update
#11: August 12, 2008: The
Perfect Ride & The Penultimate Update: After about 8 months and a couple thousand
miles of fine tuning, our Calfee Tetra Tandem is Perfect. This
update includes a summary of the final adjustments made since
May and will likely be the last update before our final, year-in-review
over Christmas.
Update
#12: Narch 28, 2009: The
Final Entry: This is
it, the last installment. A final summary of our impressions
and thoughts on uber-light / performance tandems, our Calfee
and some additional details on disc brake installation, touring
gear and a final installment on our flitation with exotic wheelsets.
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