Tandem Cycling - 26" rims

I have a Santana Fusion that came with Hadley hubs and 26" FIR rims. One rim popped at a seam after 3 years and the second just went a year later. I run the Avocet Cross II (26x1.5) which I fine a great improvement over the Richie Crossbites (26x1.4) that came with the bike. We don't put that many miles on (3 rides per week of 15-20 miles - half on road, half on cinder/crushed limestone). My bike shop says with a 40 spoke set up and 26" wheels, the options are limited. They say the only options are the FIRs or Velocity Aeroheat. This being my first tandem, is it usual to need to replace rims that often? I've had the same rims on my road bike for 20 year. Anyone else have experience with the FIRs or Velocity rims? I've read that Sun Ryno Lites are a possibility but my bike shop says they are too wide for my needs.

Why not call Santana (800 334 6136) and ask what they recommend? That's what I did when the 7 year old Mavic rim on my Noventa shot craps. Steve Liese is in sales at extension 13. I've found them to be very helpful once you make contact with an actual person.

Incidentally, I understand that FIR is out of business so I'd be cautious about using one of their products.

I emailed Santana - no reply yet. They've been putting FIRs on their bike's for a long time - I expect they will be biased towards what they supply. I may call them on Monday.

I think you have more choices than you think - it may take some looking though. I am running the deep V
Velocity with 1.35 Schwalbes on my Co-Motion and, on another bike Mavic T217's, and Velocity Fusions another bike - some of these may no longer be made in 40 hole - but I usually find them all ebay and various other websites

I emailed Santana - no reply yet. They've been putting FIRs on their bike's for a long time - I expect they will be biased towards what they supply. I may call them on Monday.

Absolutely they will be biased towards what they supply. On the other hand, they have a lot more experience in this area than an LBS who sells or services maybe one tandem per year. What they supply is most likely to be what they truly think is best.

I just bought Velocity Fusions (700c 40 hole) from Santana for my road tandem. I rebuilt the rear wheel yesterday and my wife and I are planning to give it a test ride today.

daVinci tandems in Colorado specs their own type of 26 inch rims, the V22. These rim have been used for aggressive off-road riding, although they come in choice of 32 or 36H in the 26" size.
davincitandems.com or 800-873-3214 for more info, and talk to either Todd or Brian.

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

I may call them on Monday.

Definitely call... RetroGrouch provided the toll-free number. You're just as likely to find Steve Lesse as Bill McCready and you'll get much better results via the interactive process of a personal conversation than you'll ever get via Email.