Tandem bikes

scottmandue · 08-18-2011, 12:53 PM

I think they look kinda cool...

Wife likes them (probably thinks they look romantic) and has dropped hints about getting one.

But something inside says "NO"!

I have ridden bikes and motorcycles most of my life... wife on the other hand has only been on a bike a few times and had a bad crash sometime ago and has not been back in the saddle since.

We do live a block for the ocean with a bike path.

However I foresee her falling and taking me with her and we end up a bloody mess.

Anyone have experience with these things?

And what is up with prices? Everything form Chinese beach cruiser tandems @ $200 to "vintage 1970's" @ $1000 to high end racing @$2000. (No we wouldn't be getting the campy equipped tandem)

krystar · 08-18-2011, 01:17 PM

we bought one for our parents two years ago. it does take some experience to ride it. u gotta balance the other person. if she's one of those "when i panic, i start flailing around" persons, probably not a good idea.

we got ours from bikefriday.com quality hand built to your specs.

DARISC · 08-18-2011, 01:48 PM

I think there are 3-wheeled tandems to be found. Seriously. I think one of those would be a cool beach cruiser.

teenerted1 · 08:49 AM

rent one first....you will see how unromantic they are if you/her dont ride much.

used to off road one with a buddy years ago.
was a blast. i was the stoker on those rides. nothing like both guys putting a foot down to get around a switch-back at speed. fire roads only. single track was not an option.

tevake · 08-18-2011, 01:58 PM

I saw one on our last trip to So Cal. that was configured with a recumbent rider in front and upright rider in the back. It looked really interesting, with a good view forward for the rider in back. In your case tho I wonder if your wife is expecting you to provide the balance for both of you, could risky.
Maybe others here who ride tandem will speak up.

Cheers Richard

stomachmonkey · 08-18-2011, 01:59 PM

There was an episode of Auction Hunters on recently where they found a tandem Shwinn.

They took it to a bike shop and the guy there called it "the easiest way to start an argument" that he knew of.

sammyg2 · 08-18-2011, 02:46 PM

'Bout 25 or 30 years ago I bought a schwinn tandem for my parents for their anniversary.
Looked just like the one below except it had the original blue paint. Not a knick or scratch on it, practically brand new.

They never rode it and it's been hanging in their garage ever since.
One of these days I'm going to end up with it again, no telling how much it'll be worth.

LeeH · 08-18-2011, 02:53 PM

A neighbor who knew I messed around with bikes sold me a Trek tandem for cheap. I'm fairly coordinated and I felt unsafe riding it solo. Can't imagein what it would be like with an actual person back there. It sold very quickly on Craigslist.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Cool for a weekend......rent it. Otherwise you'll do a "Sammy".

McLovin · 08-18-2011, 03:06 PM

Can't see the advantage to that over two separate bikes.

As Marge Simpson best said, "You know, part of spending time together as a family is spending time apart as individuals."

Laneco · 08-18-2011, 03:38 PM

I've had three tandem bikes and I was the captain on all of them. I did ride stoker a couple of times on some other tandems. I've also ridden all three of the tandems as a solo rider. I would ride solo, pick the child up from school, then tandem home. Feels a little odd, but on the better tandems, it's not really a big deal.

First off, straight up - the captain needs to be a strong rider. Physically strong is helpful, but what I am referring to is that you must have strong cycling skills. Very good balance, the ability to compensate for someone else's balance or flopping around, hold a good straight line at any speed, be adept at slow speed maneuvering, traffic etc. If this does not describe you - pass on the tandem.

Rent or borrow one before you buy one. The best choice is for both of you to ride stoker behind an experienced rider. Don't put two newbies on the same bike. Green plus Green equals RED (blood)...

angela

mepstein · 08-18-2011, 06:07 PM

I've had one for a long time. Fun to take out the kids. Wife and I used to ride and race it. Now I ride it in special olympics with a blind stoker. Rent one first since a good tandem cost a couple grand and even a cheap one is expensive if you never ride it. Always wear helmets!!! Gloves would be a good idea too, just in case. Captain (front seat) is always in charge but be nice to your stoker (back seat) or you will both hate it. Try it in a low traffic area with reasonable expectations.

PS - To start, you swing your leg over bike and hold bike. Stoker gets on and puts both feet on pedals. You hold perfectly upright or they will think they are falling. Then you put one foot on pedal and push off smoothly and you both start to pedal.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I picked this up at a flea market years ago for $40. The wife and I ride it to the local farmer's market on the weekends and on the 2nd Sunday of the month for the VFW pancake breakfast.

look 171 · 08-18-2011, 07:56 PM

IF you haven't ridden tandem, make sure the stoker not try and balance the bike with you. Just sit still and allow you the captain to be in control of the bike. Do not lean into a turn and let the captain do that. Once the stoker get the hang of things, they can predict what you will do and go along with it. Think of the stoker as an engine of a car and you are the driver. I was a stoker for a few times with my buddy on our training rides. We can go so much faster then a regular bike because there are two of us doing the work. We were out to draw blood on those training rides. Tandems suck going up hill. Rent one and give it a try. It is a lot of fun. The hardest part is getting started from a dead stop. The more help the stoker provides, the more trouble you will get into unless it is an experience stoker.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mepstein

I've had one for a long time. Fun to take out the kids. Wife and I used to ride and race it. Now I ride it in special olympics with a blind stoker. Rent one first since a good tandem cost a couple grand and even a cheap one is expensive if you never ride it. Always wear helmets!!! Gloves would be a good idea too, just in case. Captain (front seat) is always in charge but be nice to your stoker (back seat) or you will both hate it. Try it in a low traffic area with reasonable expectations.

PS - To start, you swing your leg over bike and hold bike. Stoker gets on and puts both feet on pedals. You hold perfectly upright or they will think they are falling. Then you put one foot on pedal and push off smoothly and you both start to pedal.

That is the coolest thing that I have seen in a long time, good for you!!!