Comments on: Our tandem and trailer

By: Jimmy Melnarik

Jimmy Melnarik — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 07:45:15 +0000

Still drooling over this all these years later

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:30:26 +0000

Hi Steven,

Phil Wood didn’t really need convincing, I just asked politely! They let me know that the brake has not been a supported piece of equipment for some time now. So far, based on the few miles we have put on the tandem, the cantilevers have been doing great work on the down hills. The Phil brake has been fine on longer descents but we haven’t hit Yosemite yet. 🙂 Please email if you have any more questions.

Take care,
Brian

By: Steven Krusemark

Steven Krusemark — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:07:03 +0000

I have a Bill Boston Tandem that we had built for us in 1986 that had both front and rear Phil Wood brakes as the primary brakes. Both brakes were actuated by the one right brake lever. We then also had a Scott front rim brake actuated by the left lever. We toured the world and covered 22,000 miles for the next three years ending the trip in November of 1989. The Phil brakes worked well and had more than enough stopping power and would hold up on long descents without fading, and this with over 100 pounds of luggage at times while traveling in remote parts of Asia. We did have major problems with the brakes starting at about 15,000 miles. The surfaces of the drum housing and the surface of the push plate wore so there were ringed ridges on each surface. This then started causing the asbestos discs to wear out very quickly. Coming down the pass on the east side of Yosemite we almost went over the edge after the two newly installed discs wore in just one descent. We did send the brakes back to Phil Wood one at a time and he personally arranged to have the brakes completely refurbished and then they worked great. I am now completely refurbishing the tandem for the next world tour and will be installing rim cantilever brakes and will use a drag brake in the back. I am not sure if I will use the Phil brake, an Arai brake I already have, or a new Maddox brake. I am curious about how you convinced the Phil Wood company to make a new custom hub to work with the older Phil brake. I was under the impression that they will no longer support the old Phil brake with either parts, service and completely discourage their use. I would prefer to use the Phil brakes, but we want to change the hubs from a freewheel Phil hub to a new more modern cassette hub. I would look forward to also hearing how well the Phil brake has worked for you as a drag brake. We never did have a disc fail and had the latest version with the added material thickness against the hub splines.

All-in-all, you have beautiful bike. I also like the trailer design and would be interested in more information regarding the design and builder. We plan on using a trailer on our tour, but would prefer a two wheel trailer. We definitely travel with many com

Thanks,
Steven
Newburyport, Mass, USA

By: Willem

Willem — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 20:20:17 +0000

I had the privilege to see this tandem at the Philly Bike Expo, and it was really beautiful. Such perfection is rare. Congratulations.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 18:37:58 +0000

In reply to John B.. John, don't be surprised about the brake! It's only being used as a drag brake on downhills. I still have two other brakes. The Phil Wood brake fail is when the teeth shear off the asbestos disc where it mates to the hub. I've only seen one documented case and it was used as the primary brake. If this was my only brake, then I'd be nervous. As for the asbestos, It's pretty far out of the way on the back of the bike so breathing in asbestos would be a challenge!

By: John B.

John B. — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 15:51:47 +0000

I was able to admire this beautiful machine in the metal at The Builders’ Ball. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are outstanding!

That said, I was surprised to see it featured a Phil Wood disk brake. They were renowned for failing spectacularly back in the day, rendering the brake inoperable. That and they utilise asbestos.

Regardless, I wish you many happy miles together.