Tandem Cycling - Sun Retro

This looks like it might be fun to ride to the winery or go out for cruise on the local rail-trails. Anyone have any comments on the Sun Retro? I've never ridden a tandem, do you think I might outgrow this bke after a short while?

I've ridden while pulling my son on a trail behind bike. Do tandems have a similar feel?

I assume you are talking about this: http://www.sunbicycles.com/sun/bicycles/cruiserBikes/retroTandemCruiser/retroTandemCruiser.htm ?

Do you think I might outgrow this bke after a short while? It depends; what are you using it for? If it's just going to be a short-trip, laid-back, once-in-a-while, cruise-to-the-beach bicycle, then you'll be fine. But if you plan on using it a lot, or going for rides of more than 10-15 miles, the cruiser geometry (and the components) will be inadequate.

The truth is, this is more of a "toy" type bike. There's not anything wrong with that if that's how it's going to be used, but if you want something a little more quality, you can get the much-more-robust Raleigh Companion for $6-700, or find a used tandem on craigslist or through a tandem-dedicated website (I would avoid ebay). I wouldn't recommend splurging on a fancier tandem unless you know 100% you're going to use it regularly; if there's a chance of having a bike mouldering in the garage, no sense in spending thousands.


I've ridden while pulling my son on a trail behind bike. Do tandems have a similar feel? Similar, but the tandem will be much more stable, more responsive, and all-around more enjoyable and easier to ride. If you haven't read Sheldon Brown's tandem pages, that's a great place to start.

Thanks for the feedback! I am thinking of a tandem as a once in a while cruiser ( I have a road single road bike for any extended workouts ), so maybe the Sun would work, but I'll see if the local Raleigh dealer has any Companions to view. My stokers would be my kids or wife, none of which has much desire to bike long distances, at least at this time. I can buy the Sun locally for $399, and I do kind of groove on the giant fenders and whitewall tires. :-)

Yeah, the looks are pretty sweet. This is the kind of tandem that's going to get lots of comments, lots of "what a cool bike!" For that kind of riding, as long as it's comfortable, it'll be ideal. And who knows? After seeing how fun it can be, your family might want you to upgrade!

Do make sure to replace the pedals with toe clips, though; nothing will ruin a tandem ride like getting smacked in the shins.

While it has that 'cool' factor, you're still the motor and you'll be pushing that 'cool' hefty frame up any of your local hills!

While it has that 'cool' factor, you're still the motor and you'll be pushing that 'cool' hefty frame up any of your local hills!

Point taken! Do you or anyone else have any tandem recommedations that won't break the bank
(under 1K). I keep looking on craiglsist, but none have appeared there.

Look at the thread as below to see some respectable starter Tandems

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=290965