Hi. I usually hang in the Touring forum. I'm an unsupported touring stealth camper.
I teach, so I know there are no silly questions, but:
For the last 25 years my partner and I have shared a 3 speed CCM tandem for casual rides and day trips. We went to the Toronto Islands today. We had a great time, but since it is about a 25 km round trip, it became evident that we either have to spend some money to repair, restore or perhaps replace the bike.
I'm thinking this might be a good time to change over to a touring tandem. I'm unsure of the features we should be looking for. We would be mostly day tripping and perhaps the occassional credit card tour. How much we might have to spend and what might be the resale value of our current bike?
Also, I tour in Europe with my touring bike. Is it any more difficult taking a tandem on the plane? Cuuently I ride my bike to the airport, stuff it in a plastic bag and go. (I'd prefer Canadain advice here, as I am unlikely to fly on US carriers).
Thank you in advance for your insights.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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Well congratulations on catching the bug. First off, what do you believe the shortcomings are of the tandem you currently have? Can't tell for sure exactly what to recommend if we don't know what your concerns are.
Is the bike a flexi-flyer?
Is the pedaling kind of strange (out of phase maybe)?
Does it not fit well enough for extended rides?
etc. etc.
Or are you just wanting someone to justify your spending some money on a new bike? ;)
zonatandem
A tandem with more gears and newer frame/components woul be a huge improvement.
Would not expect to get much $$ for CCM 3 speed; lucky to get $100 Canadian.
A used derailleur geared tandem could fit the bill. Look at spending at least $1,000 for a decent used 2-seater rather than a department store tandem.
More gears, less weight, longer trips . . .
Check with your favorite airline for rates. Be prepared for boxing the bike in suitable container.
Do your research (as you're doing now) and test ride some other tandems.
Have fun!
Brian
If you're mechanically inclined, and willing to spend, you might want to look at the coupled offerings from Aerolite. They're Canadian based, although most of their stuff is produced in China.
http://www.aerolite.ca/
stokell
Well congratulations on catching the bug. First off, what do you believe the shortcomings are of the tandem you currently have? Can't tell for sure exactly what to recommend if we don't know what your concerns are.
Is the bike a flexi-flyer?
Is the pedaling kind of strange (out of phase maybe)?
Does it not fit well enough for extended rides?
etc. etc.
Or are you just wanting someone to justify your spending some money on a new bike? ;)
I'm not really sure what a 'flexi-flyer' is but the CCM has a steel frame and is VERY heavy. I can barely lift it. I assumed that from my mention of the 3 speeds that it is slow and very bad on even friendly grades. Since We've been riding the same bike for 25 years, I'd hardly qualify as a consum-o-tron (A person who makes unnecessary purchases).
We would use the bike for daytrips mostly. As I mentioned, I stealth camp and it is unlikely my partner would agree to anything less than a full credit card tour, so we don't need to think about a bike good for unsupported touring.
TandemGeek
Based on what you've shared with us I'd recommend looking for a used 26" (MT with rigid fork) or 700c (RT) Cannondale with 9 speed components, tweaking the chainring / cassette sizing to suit your riding needs, e.g., if you acquired an MT you would likely want to fit a left rear 110mm or 130mm crank with a 55/44/30 chain ring set up. You can find all of this stuff on the second hand market for pennies on the cost of new and it will work just as well and still yield a very lightweight touring machine relative to what you've been riding, e.g., under 40lbs ready to ride. Good places to look for used tandems can be found at our Web site, http://www.TheTandemLink.com Click on the "Tandems" button at the top right corner of the home page.
Moreover, according to several world travellers on the Tandem@Hobbes list who posted in the past, you can pull off your pedals, turn your handlebars and stuff your tandem into two bicycle bags at the airport and in most cases they seem to be handled with far more care than the larger "coffins" and boxed tandems. However, the Cannondale uses a beefy frame and forks so any handling "nicks" would probably be just that.
Just something to consider.
NewbieIATandem
Sorry if I came across kind of brash/rude.
Flexi-flyer, my name for a bike that seems to have a couple of hinges in the middle.
frameteam2003
Why not look for a tandem when you tour Europe--like check on Ebay-uk.Lots of old tandems (I'm told) in France too.A vintage but compleat tandem would be a good up-grade from the 3 speed.
You also might check into up-grading your tandem to a 5 speed with modern alum rims.and remember touring bikes are often heaver than modern roadies as they are intended to cary bags and go over ruffer ground.---sam
frameteam2003
This is a 1936 Russ tandem from England.
mchell
Since you are in the Toronto area, I would suggest you get in touch with MBS Tandems at 905 824 9364, or www.mbstandems.com (Brenda and David Vandevelde)
These folks know tandems, that's about all they sell. They have toured extensively. They gave me mega bucks for a 14 year old Trek T100 when I bought my Rans Screamer from them so they just might be interested in your CCM. I can't speak highly enough of these people. I drive 5 hours round trip (north of Peterborough is home for me) when I need service 'cause for as long as I own the bike I bought from them, service is FREE.
(Broke a spoke on the front wheel; they fixed it....free.....wasn't supposed to happen! They trued the wheel, replaced the rim tape, adjusted the brakes, tightened cables, lubed the chains, etc....free!)
Give them a call. You won't be disappointed.