Tandem Cycling - 04 Burley Duet

I have a line on a new Burley Duet the shop wants $1500 it fits, its red, and looks very well made. I want to get my son and wife in to cycling more than just around the hood. Is this a good deal its a 105/xt mix with truvativ cranks and mini v's. How would this stack up as a first tandem. I'm just your normal club riding Lemond Sarthe steel is real kind of guy.

Thanks
Tim

Is this a good deal its a 105/xt mix with truvativ cranks and mini v's. How would this stack up as a first tandem.

Yes, it's a very good deal... but I'd still make an offer that's a bit under the asking price and/or negotiate for some freebies, e.g., water bottle cages & bottles and deep discounts on any other accessories you'll need to get for your tandem and new riding partner.

As a first tandem, it's perfect... but, in case you don't know, Burley stopped making tandems last year. Last I heard, they're still supporting their customers and most of the parts on an '04 tandem can be found elsewhere and aren't proprietary.

Yes, it's a very good deal... but I'd still make an offer that's a bit under the asking price and/or negotiate for some freebies, e.g., water bottle cages & bottles and deep discounts on any other accessories you'll need to get for your tandem and new riding partner.

As a first tandem, it's perfect... but, in case you don't know, Burley stopped making tandems last year. Last I heard, they're still supporting their customers and most of the parts on an '04 tandem can be found elsewhere and aren't proprietary.

That looks like a good deal to me too.

Tandems require considerable more maintenance than single bikes, so if there's room for negotiation, throw some service into too and get it in writing; Things like fit adjustments, until you get dialed in, and tune ups for shifting, braking and chain stretch over some period of time, unless you already know how to do that well or until you can learn.

When you go back for those n/c services, tip the mechanic and you'll be surprised at the prompt service and wealth of knowledge shared on subsequent visits.

I didn't know squat about bike mechanics when I started riding, and I'm far from an expert now, but I've made a point to show my previous, and current bike mechanics, that their efforts were appreiciated.

As a result, when my bikes do need to visit the professional wrench, they're almost always ready on time, even for repairs and parts needed on short notice, and I think the mechanics have been more forthcoming with sharing details that have accelerated my education in maintenance and repair.

I've hardly broken anything too expensive lately and save a lot more time and money by doing things myself that I wouldn't have touched when I first started out.

Good luck!

I think regomatic's advice is pretty good.

I also want to give a big fat +1 on that seeming like a very good deal.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 'out of production' aspect of this. As people have said, the parts are all pretty standard (the eccentric is probably the only really unique tandem bit specific to the manufacturer on the whole bike, and that should last pretty much forever so long as you don't strip anything), and the bike is pretty well equipped to start with.

I'd look it over for obvious signs of abuse/neglect. A 3 year old bike is probably in really good shape though. In all likelihood it got sold because the original owners never used it, or alternately, the shop has had it three years and it's never been ridden on anything more than a test ride.

Grab it while you can!!!

Agree w/ the others...grab it while you can...assuming it fits.

We got a great deal on our 05 Duet, and bought it thinking it would make a good starter tandem for us as well. After riding it for two years now, we see no reason to go out and upgrade. We might eventually buy another tandem, but for now, our plans are to ride this one into the ground first.

The Burleys are decent bikes, and great values. Buy it and enjoy it.

"I'd look it over for obvious signs of abuse/neglect. A 3 year old bike is probably in really good shape though. In all likelihood it got sold because the original owners never used it, or alternately, the shop has had it three years and it's never been ridden on anything more than a test ride."

The OP said: ..."a new Burley Duet the shop wants $1500 it fits"

A new Burley Duet at, or near, that price is still the 'bigest bang or the buck'!
But as others said, see if the LBS will throw in a few extra$.
If it fits, grab it!

Thanks for all the great comments, he had about a half dozen duets hanging from the ceiling all new. He's a great dealer all about the customer, so much so he lost his Trek dealership because he would cut his prices to much and other dealers complained.

Thanks
Tim

" he had about a half dozen duets hanging from the ceiling "

Hmm. Any hints about who this shop owner is, and whether or not he'd sell one to someone on the left coast, near Seattle?

-- Joel

Hmm. Any hints about who this shop owner is, and whether or not he'd sell one to someone on the left coast, near Seattle?

-- Joel

Joel I'm sure he would, its clarksville schwinn 812-948-2453 in southern Indiana just across the river from Louisville. The owner is Bob Peters very nice guy, just don't buy the red one its the only one in my size.

Tim

Been along time, but here's the deal my LBS has two burley's left an 04 Rumba, and Duet. Here's the situation, I have been working on a Friday family tandem also, the 8 speed model. I can get the Rumba for $1350, the Friday for $1395.

The main reason for the tandem is my 13 years old son is Autistic and can't ride his own bike. I will be pulling a Trek pedal trailer with my 6 year old on the back pretty large (long) setup. If I go with the Friday I have to order next week to get in time for some shake down rides before our spring break trip the last week of March. I'm going to my LBS monday to see if he fits he is 5'1" the stoker size is 19, I will have to have about 2" of seatpost for the hitch.

My other problem is that I will have to find a safe way of hauling the tandem, pedal trailer, and my wife's Electra cruiser on my Ford Focus. I do have a custom fabricated class III hitch on the Ford so I was thinking a draft master type setup, but I can't go over 150# tongue weight if I go with the Burley. The Friday would breakdown in the trunk. I like the Friday because my 6 year old would fit the stoker easily. I like the Burley because I could do better on club rides. Does Burley still warrant the frames?

Sorry so long winded, just need alittle input.
Thanks!

I've owned a Bike Friday Tandem Traveler XL, and a Burley Duet.

I would go with the Burley every day.

We liked the Bike Friday,and it worked well with a growing child.

However IMHO, the Burley has amore rigid frame, and is overall a better ride.

The ability to pack the Bike Friday is nice, but its a time consuming process. It's really not very practical to break it down and reassemble it just for a trip in the car across town.

PM me if you'd like elaboration.

My other problem is that I will have to find a safe way of hauling the tandem, pedal trailer, and my wife's Electra cruiser on my Ford Focus. I do have a custom fabricated class III hitch on the Ford

I'd think seriously about a light trailer. With several bikes and people to get ready all at the same time it's nice to have EZ access to the car's hatch.

Well I ordered a Friday family tandem traveler should be here in about a month. I ordered it with drops and a few other things. I felt it would fit the kids alot better then the Burley. So if anybody wants a NOS Burley, Clarksville Schwinn has 2 Duets, and 1 Rumba, most likely the last New Burleys in the US. When I get it I'll post some pics.

Thanks!

^ Even though I argued for the Burley, I think you'll enjoy the Bike Friday. Fitting growing kids is one of its big advantages.

And after your kids are full sized if you want to sell it, and get something else, Bike Fridays hold their value very well.

Yeah I looked hard at the Burley, I figured once they grow up we can go to a full size tandem. Plus it give me a reason to buy another bike, which is the main reason to hang out on this forum. Thanks for the advice!:thumb:


^ Even though I argued for the Burley, I think you'll enjoy the Bike Friday. Fitting growing kids is one of its big advantages.

And after your kids are full sized if you want to sell it, and get something else, Bike Fridays hold their value very well.