Tandem Cycling - Kid in front, pilot back?

Anyone with experience of tandembike for a kid in front and the "pilot" back?

Low frontdesign for a kid and a choice for steering locked at front. Steerer at the back with control of brakes and with visual control over the child.

I´m thinking of this kind of tandem. It´s a great way to have my 8 year old son with me on shorter trips.

The one I´m thinking of is manufactured in Germany by Robert Hoening Spezialfahrzeuge GmbH. It have 7 speed rear hub. It weights in at 28 kilos/61,7 pounds, 240cm/94,4 inch long, 24" wheels, 80-101 cm/31,4-39,8 inch high.

What do you experienced tandem bikers think?

This is a second option.

It´s a five speed tandem. No locking option for the front handlebar. I believe this model is shorter then the Copilot and there is no 26" option. I don´t have any more data but here is a pic.

How much do those cost?

Originally posted by steversk
How much do those cost?

I don´t know yet, but it happens I did mail the Swedish importer with the same question earlier today and hopefully will get an answer monday. I expect the price to be quiet high cause it´s a small market bike.

Have a look at www.lovebike.com & they are in the US

cheers:beer:

In days of old, this was a "courting bike" A gentleman could never give up control of such a large machine as a tandem to a woman, but at the same time it would be improper to make your lady friend stare at your back side ... so the courting bike, sometimes called a lady front rear steer bike.

It would be a great bike to use with kids. I have ridden one with a blind stoker, it was a great thrill for her to be in front. It was a 1900s frame set found at a flea market for $50. I built it up with bits and pieces to make it a working bike again.

The first time we used the bike I was calling out turns. We stopped at a deli for lunch, as we pulled into parking lot a group of riders watched, they were shocked when she unfolded her cane. She was in the ladies room after lunch, when one of the riders came up and asked me if I thought it would be safer with me up front. :)

I have had a LoveBike for about a year. It very nice for it's purpose. Not for very long rides. I used it to take my 8 year old to school and rides around the neighborhood. It is alot of fun and the price is reasonable.

Another option is the Bilenky Viewpoint. A very nice ride, even long tours (not cheap though):

http://www.bilenky.com/viewpnt.html


Also check out
http://www.cushwafamily.com/LA2JAX/

The story of a 9-year-old boy and his dad as they cross the USA by bicycle. They started a few weeks ago.

Thank´s for your replys.

I probably will be looking around in Sweden, or maybe in Europe first due to taxes and shipping.
What do you think of the weight of the first Copilot (61,7 pounds)? Is that to heavy when compared to normal tandems? Will it be though in uphills with a 8 years?

]?
¸P? intriging line of bicycles and tandems... I had not seen them before. They appear to fit an interesting niche for duos with special needs.

Regarding your question about weight, 61.7 lbs is rather heavy compared to conventional, upright tandems which usually weigh in around 40 - 45lbs for entry level steel models. Of course, too heavy is relative to how you intend to use it.

As for being able to keep an eye on your 8 year old, not knowing anything else about your situation, it is not at all uncommon to find children over 3 years old comfortably stoking conventional tandems from the rear position. In fact Saint Johns Street Cycles in the UK sells the Thorn line of tandems and offers the Voyager Childback version designed specifically for child stokers.

http://www.sjscycles.com/26tandembrochure/tandembrochurewebp24.htm

Just something else to consider.

Thank´s for your advice. The Thorn looks good and probably is cheaper than the one from Robert Hoening Spezialfahrzeuge GmbH.

Originally posted by steversk
How much do those cost?

Well, they were not cheap:mad:

For Compagnon, the pricerange is between $1500-2200.

For Copilot, the pricerange is between $1900-2600.

No, this was a little to much for me to spend on a bicycle that will work a couple of years until my son reach a length making steering from backposition difficult.

I have to find something else.

Anders, you may have to sell a couple of those M1894 Swedish Mausers to buy one of these bikes...:D

Me?, I´m a pacifist. But what the heck...;-)