[crazyb]

I am considering getting into tandem riding, and have the opportunity to pick up a Burley Duet that is late 80's vintage? 6 speed index Suntour, 27x11/4 wheelset, TruTemper 4130 frame. It is in very good condition with only a few paint chips and no dings. The asking price is $500.00. Fair price? Decent bike? I have never been on a tandem so any advice is appreciated.

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[zonatandem]

For 500 bucks you could do much worse! If it fits, it's a good price for a very first tandem and yes, have ridden Burleys in the 80s, 90s, and into the new milenium. Always good value for the $$!

[cornucopia72]

We rode a Duet for several years and we liked it until we tried something a little better. Ours is an early 90's model. We paid $800 for it, rode it spordically for almost ten years, and sold it to a friend for $400. Our friend's wife/daughter were not up to it and we are buying it back to keep it for rainy days rides and to lend it to friends that may want to try tandems. The first year we owned the new tandem, we put 5 times more miles on it than the previpus ten years on the Burley. Not that the Duet was that bad but because our life was so busy. In summary, we agree with Zonatandem: if it fits it is worth every penny. Sincerely hope that you and your stoker(s) like it... it is a lot of fun!

[crazyb]

Thanks for the input. The bike is in really good shape, and the standover height is a very good fit for me.

[Fenlason]

Unless someone knows otherwise. I would say with a Suntour indexed drivetrain, it is a problem. Suntours spacing was different than Shimano's. So when you need a chain and cass. you are out of luck. They have not been available for some time.

glenn

[crazyb]

Unless someone knows otherwise. I would say with a Suntour indexed drivetrain, it is a problem. Suntours spacing was different than Shimano's. So when you need a chain and cass. you are out of luck. They have not been available for some time.

glenn

Being as it is a 6 speed, it is most probably a freewheel and not a cassette and they are readily available.

[Fenlason]

It could be either.... and to my understanding there are no Suntour freewheels available that match the older shiftlevers.

glenn

[zonatandem]

Should be a freewheel, and freewheels (5 to7 speed) are available, as are the chains.

[crazyb]

It could be either.... and to my understanding there are no Suntour freewheels available that match the older shiftlevers.

glenn

For harder to find parts for "old school" bikes check out sheldon browns web site.

[Fenlason]

Thank you... I did go to Sheldon's site, and they list them.... but as stated there. They have not been made since the early 90's. This is old stock. I am a bike shop mechanic and we have not been able to get them wholesale, for a loooong time now.

So perhaps some stuff is available now,,, but for how long?... and switching over a drivetrain would be fairly expensive. Although admittedly it is somewhat more justifable on a tandem.

I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the potential problem....and that you are. :)

glenn

[cornucopia72]

Maybe Fenlason has a valid point. But, if the bike is that old and the paint job is almost flawless, I will venture to speculate that the bike has very few miles and sholud give you plenty of satisfaction for years to come. Can you test ride it? Depending on your riding habits, you may want to stock some parts.

[crazyb]

Maybe Fenlason has a valid point. But, if the bike is that old and the paint job is almost flawless, I will venture to speculate that the bike has very few miles and sholud give you plenty of satisfaction for years to come. Can you test ride it? Depending on your riding habits, you may want to stock some parts.

If I decide I like the bike, I will probably upgrade it to a 9 speed system with integrated brake shifters, so the availability of parts won't be an issue. But you are right, I am sure the components on it have many thousands of miles left in them.