ultra cheap tandems?

[AngryScientist]

weisan's post really got me thinking.

there are a lot of parks and stuff to explore on 2-wheels within 10 miles of home. how bad can one of these be? strap a child carrier to the rear end and go for [short] adventures?? anyone ever seen one of these in person?

less than $300 delivered??

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Dualie-Bicycle-26-Inch-18-Inch/dp/B00AWNI232

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81BvxEOX6cL._SL1500_.jpg

[weisan]

Hehhee, smart-scientist-pal, you are catching on quick.
I am handy when it comes to fixing bikes so all I care about is the frame being sturdy and straight, the other stuff are expendable and I can make them work to a certain extent no matter what.

Besides, the little guys that I put in the back could care less if the bike planes or had torsional rigidity....every single person that I have put in the back of my tandem and rode off, never fail to bring on a silly smile or chuckle as we pedal down towards the sunset, even those who are watching on the side can't help but feel part of the humor and joy.

Needles to say, I become quite popular whenever we are riding our tandem. I get requests all the time from total strangers who either just want to put their kiddo at the back for a photo shoot or want to try it out themselves, I am always happy to comply, doesn't really cost me anything, but the returns are exponentially high. Yeah, maybe there's liability issue but hey, that's not how I choose to live my life, sorry.

[Frankwurst]

Hehhee, smart-scientist-pal, you are catching on quick.
I am handy when it comes to fixing bikes so all I care about is the frame being sturdy and straight, the other stuff are expendable and I can make them work to a certain extent no matter what.

Besides, the little guys that I put in the back could care less if the bike planes or had torsional rigidity....every single person that I have put in the back of my tandem and rode off, never fail to bring on a silly smile or chuckle as we pedal down towards the sunset, even those who are watching on the side can't help but feel part of the humor and joy.

Needles to say, I become quite popular whenever we are riding our tandem. I get requests all the time from total strangers who either just want to put their kiddo at the back for a photo shoot or want to try it out themselves, I am always happy to comply, doesn't really cost me anything, but the returns are exponentially high. Yeah, maybe there's liability issue but hey, that's not how I choose to live my life, sorry.

^This. I'd say go for it. Cheap entertainment.:beer:

[pdmtong]

the main issue with a cheap tandem, besides the so-so grouppo performance and the handling is how noodly the frame will be. stoker leans out, you will feel the bike move.

you cant expect much for $300 bike-wise. but what you can expect is a lot of fun. and, when you are done, just pass it along so the smiles continue.

[Ti Designs]

The problem with cheap tandems is the learning curve - it's really steep. A really cheap tandem is fun for a few rides, then you start looking for more. An OK tandem is good for a few months... I sell tandems, I see this all the time. A couple will buy a cheap tandem, if they really make the time to ride it together it's on Craig's List by the end of that season and we're talking about the next tandem - the one they really wanted but didn't know it at the time.

I've got an offer for you Mr Science man. I haven't used my tandems much as of late, it's really not doing me any good having them sit around. If you want go get a taste of what tandem riding is without the expense of buying one (cheap or otherwise), I'll set you up on mine. I have a early 80's Ritchey Skyliner and a Co-Motion Robusta, and a couple of tandem roof rack carriers.

[Aaron O]

DEFINITELY get a tandem - you'll never have more fun.

Definitely don't buy a cheap-o...everything on a tandem is magnified because it's under more stress. Flexy brakes become a non-starter. Chains break. Freewheels and cassettes get trashed. You REALLY want quality wheels with a tandem.

I'd suggest buying one used - you can get a lot of tandem for the money because they're hard to sell. We bought this baby for under $1000:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/sterling/68091062-4121-4354-A9E7-57E2CA0AB0A4-2270-0000020F91E66471_zpsdb0c9f78.jpg

By the way - if you want to borrow this one when the munchkin is bigger, let me know:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Schwinn%20Triplet/photo-45.jpg

[Nooch]

DEFINITELY get a tandem - you'll never have more fun.

Definitely don't buy a cheap-o...everything on a tandem is magnified because it's under more stress. Flexy brakes become a non-starter. Chains break. Freewheels and cassettes get trashed. You REALLY want quality wheels with a tandem.

I'd suggest buying one used - you can get a lot of tandem for the money because they're hard to sell. We bought this baby for under $1000:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/sterling/68091062-4121-4354-A9E7-57E2CA0AB0A4-2270-0000020F91E66471_zpsdb0c9f78.jpg

By the way - if you want to borrow this one when the munchkin is bigger, let me know:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Schwinn%20Triplet/photo-45.jpg

Is that the same triple that the bike snob posted a picture of the other day with a double flat?

[Aaron O]

Oh God - yes...I misjudged a curb's height.

We've taken worse with that bike, but the angle was wrong and we often ride it with two people, not three. For what it's worth, we have over 1000 miles on it over the past 3 years and that was our second flat.

[4Rings6Stars]

Look for something higher quality on the used market... But if you really only an on putting around town with the kiddos, then to for it. What's $300...

I agree with what ti says above though. Buying this is sort of like buying a 250cc motorcycle as a starter...two weeks later and you wish it was a 600 and are losing money reselling it in the secondary market.

Oh God - yes...I misjudged a curb's height.

We've taken worse with that bike, but the angle was wrong and we often ride it with two people, not three. For what it's worth, we have over 1000 miles on it over the past 3 years and that was our second flat.

...and third. :-)

[Aaron O]

Don't remind me :(

At least Curtis was there...I would have pulled the wheels changing them, and they're a pain to get back aligned in the rear. I've never seen anyone change a flat without removing the wheel before...it makes sense, but it never even occurred to me.

[zap]

My wife to be and I rode an inexpensive tandem........Nashbar I think. Borrowed from a friend. Our very first tandem ride.

What a rpita.

Ignoring the really crappy frame and fork......it was the components that sucked. As a matter of fact, we broke the tandem 2/3 of the way through the ride.

Looking at the op picture I see nothing but problems.

As others posted, purchase a used tandem with Ultegra (with a sprinkle of 105 thrown in) level components.

[charliedid]

Buy an old Schwinn on CL and have fun.

[DfCas]

My belief is that junk is never a bargain, at any price.

Note the shipping weight of 57 pounds means the bike weighs 50 or more. I doubt I could put that om a roof rack or even stand it up. My cannondale weighs 38 pounds and it is hard to handle.

[CNY rider]

My belief is that junk is never a bargain, at any price.

Note the shipping weight of 57 pounds means the bike weighs 50 or more. I doubt I could put that om a roof rack or even stand it up. My cannondale weighs 38 pounds and it is hard to handle.


I bought kids bikes for the holidays this year.
With the kids favorite characters on them.
Total junk. Will not buy them anything but "real bikes" in the future, even if that means not having Dora the Explorer on the downtube.
Weigh more than most of my bikes.
I'm guessing that tandem comes from the same place as my kids junk bikes so I would pass.

[MattTuck]

Don't remind me :(

At least Curtis was there...I would have pulled the wheels changing them, and they're a pain to get back aligned in the rear. I've never seen anyone change a flat without removing the wheel before...it makes sense, but it never even occurred to me.

I'd like to hear more about this. Can you share the technique? It doesn't seem possible.



Note the shipping weight of 57 pounds means the bike weighs 50 or more. I doubt I could put that om a roof rack or even stand it up. My cannondale weighs 38 pounds and it is hard to handle.

You may want to consider a strength training plan for the upper body :rolleyes:

[fiamme red]

I'd like to hear more about this. Can you share the technique? It doesn't seem possible.Find the puncture without removing the wheel, and patch it. I've done it before.

To the OP: don't waste your money on junk. Keep your eye on Craigslist and you'll eventually find a good deal.

[Aaron O]

I worded incorrectly - it would be impossible to CHANGE the tube without removing the wheel; he patched it. Apologies for confusion.

[tmf]

I bought my tandem about 23 years ago. My girlfriend at the time was a runner and didn't ride, so it enabled us to spend time riding together. All three of my kids rode in the stoker seat for lots of miles. It really is fun to get the kind of good attention you receive on a tandem – adults and kids looking, pointing and waving as you ride by. My kids are older now and have decent bikes of their own, so we don’t get out on the tandem too often these days. I have a Fisher Gemini MTB tandem. Most of the time, I keep either slicks or hybrid tires on it for road riding. There is nothing quite as fun as putting the off road tires on and hitting the trails.

One great feature of tandems – downhill acceleration happens much more quickly than on a single bike! :)

[Aaron O]

I almost bought this one and backed out last second - might be worth a look. Seller is in Canada, but is willing to drive it to the US side of the border and ship. Nice guy too.

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-bikes-road-1982-new-old-stock-holdsworth-gemeni-tandem-bike-W0QQAdIdZ447336334

[henrypretz]

This one (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/3803675432.html) looks like a good deal, likely with a better component group than the Amazon bike even though it's 20 years old.

Bikepedia (http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1993&Brand=Yokota&Model=Twin+Peaks&Type=bike)

Definitely not Amazon convenient though.

[Aaron O]

This one (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/3803675432.html) looks like a good deal, likely with a better component group than the Amazon bike even though it's 20 years old.

Bikepedia (http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1993&Brand=Yokota&Model=Twin+Peaks&Type=bike)

Definitely not Amazon convenient though.

WOW...amazing deal!

[thattallasiangu]

this seems like the closest thread to it. does anyone know where i can purchase a surrey bike?

[Aaron O]

I see one regularly on Craigslist...this one isn't it, but i came across it looking for the one I see all of the time:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/bik/3786594185.html

This seems like an acceptable price on a pretty nice one:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/3728322008.html