Tandem Cycling - Looking into Tandem

My girlfriend and I are looking at buying a new or used tandem. She is just new to cycling. I have cycled for about 7 years now and done a number of centuries as well as triathlons including an Ironman. We took out a friends Cannondale RT3000 yesterday for a 50 km spin. It was an XS. Things went very well. Lots of communication as far as road conditions, gear changes, stopping, slowing, turning, etc and of course the stoker was always right too!:)

We do not have a LBS specializing in tandems in our city and I am a little unsure of what to look for in the size of tandem. I am 6'1" and she is 5'8". Respective inseams are 33" and 32". I found the following link dealing with sizing on a tandem. http://members.aol.com/yankpedal/tandem_fitmeasure.htm There is nothing linked to a specific manufacturer unfortunately. According to this chart we should be in M/S range instead of an X/S. Can anyone shed some light on proper sizing please? It appears to be unique to each manufacturer.

Also, we are planning a cross Canada cycling trip for summer 2007. My friend's tandem just got back from a trip around Australia and has over 13000 km on it but is in very good shape. Should I look at it or would we be better off buying new, given that we will be cycling 8000 km ourselves? How many miles can a tandem frame and wheelset handle on average?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

congrats on giving tandeming a try!

you can go to the individual manufactureres web sites (burley, co-motion, etc.) and they will have more fitting info with corresponding height ranges.

but basically there tends to be a huge range for stoker fit, based on adjusting the seat height and stem extension (ie. 5'- 6'). so #1, make sure the captain fits. for you, a medium or large probably, depending on the top tube length you're used to on your road bike. the rear/stoker's top tube is essentially the same for most tandems, with the only different between the medium vs small being seat tube height (more crotch clearance when straddling the bar when standing). most rear tt lengths are 700cm i believe, but some manufactures have moved towards a slightly longer 702.5cm to give the stoker more stretch room.

i'm 6', my fiance 5'3 and we tried a medium burley that fit me pretty well (usually 57cm road bike, tt 57cm with 10cm stem). she's a bit more upright than she's used to on her road bike, but it'll give her a better view and she doesn't need to be as aero being the stoker.

we should be getting our burley tosa any day now.

good luck,
john

I am a little unsure of what to look for in the size of tandem. I am 6'1" and she is 5'8". Respective inseams are 33" and 32". How many miles can a tandem frame and wheelset handle on average?

The sizing chart on that web site is Santana's...

In general, you're marginal for a Medium frame from most any builder and should probably be considering a Large or Cannondale's X/M to get your stoker a somewhat longer (28" VS 27") stoker compartment than she had on the X/S Cannondale you borrowed from your friend. However, if the shorter X/S felt OK then no worries.

As for your friend's Cannondale, C'dale's tandems were overbuilt to begin with and, unless the frame gets seriously abused or crashed, the average high quality tandem frame will last for decades and 10's of thousands of miles. Depending on which hubs are used, wheelsets will also last 20k miles without a rebuild if they're not abused or crashed. Lesser quality hubs can usually be overhauled and fitted with new bearings to extend their lives and rims are good until the sidewalls are worn thin from the brakes.

Agree with Mark that a good quality tandem (like your friend's C'dale) has loads of miles left in the frame. If components look OK, or even need replacing, it is still cheaper than buying new. If it fits and you like it, go for it.
We've had several custom tandems that have lasted us 50,000+ miles, each . . . and yes, they are still being ridden by the next owners. Quality lasts . . .