Tandem bicycle?

spal123

Hello,

Has anyone any advice on how/where to buy a budget tandem, either new or second hand?

They look like fun but am not sure how much use I would get from it in reality so would like to just have a cheapy to try it out.

Any advice?
Thanks

paulwf

A few hire centres will have one if you want to try one out. For info on hiring and buying etc check out the tandem club: http://www.tandem-club.org.uk/

Tandems have to be built to a high standard as obviously the weight and stresses put on them is much greater than for a solo...therefore a budget model that won't fall apart within 5 minutes will be getting on for £1,000 which is obviously a significant amount. The tandem club has a classifieds section or you might be able to get an ex demo model from a hire centre though. Some shops also refund the hire if you try one and then go on to buy one.

They can be really good fun and are certainly a talking point. Some people gel together on a tandem and some don't...it doesn't matter how well you get on normally some people make a good tandem team and some don't even if they are really good cyclists.

emmell

I saw a Raleigh Pioneer Venture for sale last week in a bike shop in Bridlington East Yorkshire. It was brand new but shop soiled model £199.
We nearly bought it but I think I would be tempted to sit on the back and not pedal.
Lovely looking bike though and a good price I thought.
ML.

paulwf

emmell wrote: »

I saw a Raleigh Pioneer Venture for sale last week in a bike shop in Bridlington East Yorkshire. It was brand new but shop soiled model £199.
We nearly bought it but I think I would be tempted to sit on the back and not pedal.
Lovely looking bike though and a good price I thought.
ML.

That would be very cheap as the rrp is £650 (although most places are clearing it out at £100 off). That tandem only comes in one size, and of course tandem sizing is much more difficult as you have TWO rider sizes to worry about so try before you buy. For instance I couldn't ride the Raleigh as it is far too small for me. With tandems the sizing for the rider at the front is crucial but it isn't so important on the back as they don't need to be able to touch the ground...the rider on the front has to be able to hold up the bike and the rider on the back combined.

When you are on the back you can't take it easy and not pedal...the back chainset is linked to the front so if the person at the front pedals then the person at the back has to as well. That's what makes tandems so much fun, you both have to put in the same amount of effort.

spal123

Thanks for the replies - it is all a bit pricey for a bit of a fun bike.

I think I was really wishing for a cheap, mass produced tandem that would do for a few occasional summer rides...but it doesn't seem that such a thing exists and second hand on ebay is expensive too!

:-(

emmell

Sounds a bit too much like hard work to me then paulwf.
I thought they may be difficult to get round corners owing to the length, so I think I'll give it a miss.
ML.

izzitme

Not sure where in the UK you are, but this might be of use to you.
http://www.hawkcycles.co.uk/product.php?productcategory_id=18&productsubcategory_id=42&k=18