To combat stresses resulting from doubled rider weight and a tandem’s higher tire pressures, Santana uses the finest rims available. The special tandem rims co-developed by Santana are a bit wider than a normal road rim and substantially deeper than a typical mountain bike rim. These cutting-edge rims also have reinforced spoke seating areas (to prevent spoke pull-through), and machined sidewalls (for smooth and stable braking). Surprisingly, these uniquely proportioned rims weigh no more than the weaker rims found on other tandems.