We got our first tandem

[CBBaron]

OK so its not so its not a Burley or Sanatana but I figured we had to start some where. We just bought a Fuji Shangri-La for Two. Its a cruiser with a three speed hub gear. My stoker is definately not a cyclist and the style and upright position of the cruiser attracted her considerably, and as everyone knows the stoker is always right.
So we'll pick it up today or tomorrow and give it a try around the neighborhood. If this really works out we maybe able to upgrade in a couple of years, if it is less successful atleast we have a fun bike to ride the local bike paths.
Craig

[woodcycl]

Post a couple photos of the new steed when you have the chance. This is a good way to get her out and riding ... hopefully, she'll enjoy it and want to continue and upgrade one day! ;)

[ElRey]

next stop: custom Litespeed with double disks. Riding any bike is way better than sitting on yer couch. Have fun.

[waterrockets]

Yeah, that's the route I went (cheap and easy at first). I got us a 1988 (I think) Burley Samba for $500. It needs new cables, but everything else is in great shape (cables should arrive today...). This will get my wife on a tandem to see how she likes it. As our kids are entering and exiting the toddler years, my wife has said she didn't expect that cycling would be such a great family activity, but it really continues to develop for us.

Our oldest was off training wheels the week he turned 3, and our 2.5 year-old daughter has her training wheels up so high they rarely touch.

I expect we'll end up with a new tandem in a year or two. We'll see.

[zonatandem]

It's not about what kind of tandem you are riding . . . it's are you having fun yet?
A first tandem is always a learning experience. When, and if, you decide to upgrade, you'll be more knowledgeable on what to look for and what to avoid. If it does not work out, then you have not sunk a small fortune in a dust-gatherer!

[CBBaron]

It's not about what kind of tandem you are riding . . . it's are you having fun yet?
A first tandem is always a learning experience. When, and if, you decide to upgrade, you'll be more knowledgeable on what to look for and what to avoid. If it does not work out, then you have not sunk a small fortune in a dust-gatherer!
Thanks for all of the encouragement everyone.
I doubt it will gather too much dust but I don't know if we will ever be ready for an upgrade. I currently have 4 very different bike and barely a week goes by that I do not get in a ride on all of them. I'm hopeing that either my wife or my young daughter will pick up some of that passion, but if they don't I will still enjoy the neighborhood rides with them.
Craig

[truman]

I just won an auction for a Burley Rumba Softride, I'll pick it up today.

Our Trek tandem was stolen in 1998, so this is almost like a first one again. Then, we didn't get to ride much, because we didn't have anyone nearby to keep our 3 yo kid while we rode.
This bike I bought because it appears to have enough adjustment in the stoker cockpit to swap between the wife and the kid.

I'm pretty amped to be back in the captain's seat. Or should I say 'stoked'?