Editing Tandem bicycle (section)

===Brakes===

A tandem bicycle has about twice the [[kinetic energy]] as a single bicycle traveling at the same forward speed. This may be more than can be handled by the same brakes, especially [[Bicycle brake#Rim brakes|rim brakes]], as a single bicycle. Two alternatives have been employed to solve this problem: drum brakes and disc brakes.

The Arai [[Bicycle brakes#Drum brakes|drum brake]] is used during long downhill descents where a rim brake might overheat the tire and possibly cause it to fail. The drum of the brake screws onto the left side of the tandem hub, which must be threaded for the drum. The shoe plate slips over the axle and a small reaction arm from the shoe plate engages with the bicycle frame to prevent the plate from turning. The drum brake is typically controlled by a friction shift lever like a BARCON or similar. The brake is designed to be engaged continuously during a descent to maintain a steady speed. The standard brakes can be used in addition as necessary.

Some modern tandems use [[Bicycle brake systems#Disc brakes|disc brakes]], with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails.