Tandem Cycling - Tandem recommendations, please

Due to a back injury I have been unable to ride any of my racing bikes, but I have discovered the joy of upright riding on an Electra Townie. My wife and I love to ride together, but my Townie and her Cannondale don't work out very well...she has to ride too slowly.

We've decided to buy a tandem, but I need somthing that allows upright riding. We live in a very hilly area, and would need something geared for climbing, and I'd like to spend less than 2K. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

What's going on? Mark, Rudy? Hello?

The only stock tandem that I'm aware of that has a Townie-like riding position for the captain is the Trek T900. http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/road/t900.jsp

It's designed with an adult captain / child stoker in mind and only comes in one size which could be an issue. There are several other 26" entry level MTB tandems well under your budget that could be fitted with riser bars and and upright stem to give you your Townie riding position that would also work, e.g., Burley Samba, KHS Sport, Raleigh Coupe, and Schwinn's offerings.

Under $2K the Burley has 2 very decent Mt. Bike style tandems.
Samba @ $1499 and the more upscale componentry Rock 'n Roll at $1999.
Also at a much lower price the aluminum Burley Zydeco Mixte-X at $1,000.
KHS and Raleigh also have Mt. Bike style tandems in that price range.
Also be on the lookout for some good brand name tandems (Co-Motion, Santana, etc.) in the used category . . . somewhat harder to come by, but you could get lucky!
Stick with bicycle shops handling tandems rather than looking at department store 'good $$ deal' but 'really lousy' 2 seaters.

Thanks. I'm leaning towards something from Burley.