Tandem Cycling - HELP, QUICK Burley Duet, late 90s

Okay, the guy with the Paso isn't answering my emails.
There is a Burley Duet, late 90s, suntour (ick) components
that looks like it would fit us. Seller is in Denver, bike is at $600.
We could go with this and replace components if need be.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120119715174

I need to know if this would be good for us to ride and then
rebuild as we go.

Is this frame a decent one!
Thanks!
I've got one hour, or til 8:10 tonight, May 20 to decide.
PLEASE HELP!!!!

Ginny

Late 90's with Suntour components doesn't sound right to me. $600 for a Duet, on the other hand, sounds pretty good to me.

Serial number is said to be 2389.
Is that enough numbers for a serial number???
TGeek! Help!

I decided to let that bike go.
It was a mid 90s, I think 94-95 and didn't want the older frame.

So, who has something else for sale?
I need a size small, 20" and smaller.
I love Burley but will look at anything.
Thanks!

Ginny: This was the older style Burley Duet frame; drum brake alone is worth $100. Suntour barend shifting actually quite good and foolproof. About $500 to $600 would be a good ballpark figure, especially with low usage.
Keep you eyes open for the next deal!
What size tandem frame for capt/stoker do you need?
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

We bought a '94 Rock'N'Roll softride which has got the full Suntour treatment. Everything's working great for now, but the first time something goes in the drivetrain I'll probably make the leap and replace the thumb shifters, rear derailleur, freehub (and therefore rear wheel) all at the same time. If I'm feeling really spendy I'll do brakes and front derailleur and chainwheels, but that's probably not necessary.

Anyway, that being said, I'm really happy with the purchase so far. Though I initially was looking for something 700c, I don't think we're sacrificing too much riding on 26" with higher pressure slicks.

We spend $800 CDN. $600 seems like a reasonable deal if everything is in good shape.

I'd suggest you could ride that bike as-is for a season or two, and if you dislike anything about it, you then have the option of selling and trading up (or laterally) or swapping out whatever you feel the need to improve.

IMO, basic build quality and fit (frame size) are far more important than having the exact components that you're looking for, that's generally the easiest thing to fix.

Oh, and '94 was the last year for Suntour components IIRC

What size tandem frame for capt/stoker do you need?
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Well, I'm a sad girl today.
I really wanted that Paso. But I go with what the Universe says and the U said,
not this bike, not right now.

Tom and I are short.
He's 5'6 with a 30 Inseam. His current half bike has a 31.5 standover and
he can do that pretty well in his bike shoes.
My bike is a hybrid with a slanted tube. I'm 5'3 with a 29.5 inseam. I can stand over HIS bike
in my bike shoes with only a VERY little lift available. I would never be
comfortable on his bike.
We'd need at least a small with the better bet being an XS.

Sigh, is there another company I should look at? I cannot get a bike shop around
here to order a Trek or C'Dale without a deposit and a promise to buy it once it gets
here. Normally I wouldn't even think of buying a bike without riding it first, but for
some reason the Burley bikes just scream that they are perfect for us.
I've ridden a single trek and wasn't impressed so maybe that's why I'm not looking
at the Trek. Never been on a 'Dale so I don't know what I'm missing there.

Ideas?

Serial number is said to be 2389.
Is that enough numbers for a serial number???
TGeek! Help!

Sorry... Mr. and Mrs. TandemGeek were otherwise indisposed at the Georgia Tandem Rally this past Fri - Sun.

Anyway, I don't think it was a great loss as that frame also looked to be a bit too big for you and your SO to obtain a proper fit. Again, as noted in another recent thread, I would strongly encourage taking a look at either the 26" or 700c Co-Motion Periscope as your "first tandem". It will let you truly enjoy tandeming vis-a-vis a properly fitted frame with current components and allow you to figure out what you might want to have in the way of a future, custom-fit tandem... which is what most smaller teams really need if they're looking for a 700c upright tandem that doesn't compromise a proper fit by artificially "shortening" the bike by going to negative saddle off-set or stubby-stems to bring the bars in closer.

My original comments still apply: http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=4328415&postcount=17

Hope you had a wonderful time at the rally!
Tell us about it! We live vicariously through you all!

Tom and I are short.
He's 5'6 with a 30 Inseam. His current half bike has a 31.5 standover and
he can do that pretty well in his bike shoes.
...
We'd need at least a small with the better bet being an XS.
...
I cannot get a bike shop around
here to order a Trek or C'Dale without a deposit and a promise to buy it once it gets
here. Normally I wouldn't even think of buying a bike without riding it first, but for
some reason the Burley bikes just scream that they are perfect for us.
I've ridden a single trek and wasn't impressed so maybe that's why I'm not looking
at the Trek.

I don't know what single Trek you rode, but it's unrealistic to tar all of a maker's bikes because you didn't like one of their offerings. Not that the local dealer seems to want your business, but we love our T2000 and I can almost guarantee that you'd like the T1000. As for sizing, I'm 5' 6.625" :) with a 30" inseam (at least I wear Levis that are sized that way :-). The small Trek fits me fine -- standover is just under 30" -- and the stoker's seat tube is only 44 cm, so there's little doubt that it would fit you (the h'bar stem is adjustable). Isn't there any Trek or Cannondale dealer within a day's drive that has a tandem you can ride? The Trek site lists 25 dealers within 100 miles of Denver; the Cannondale site lists 24.

If it's any consolation, we're all frustrated for you. Best of Luck.