Tandem Cycling - Parts and Accessories for Tandems

I starting the rebuild of my newly powdercoated Mel Pinto and don't see a lot of tandem parts available on my bikeparts bookmarks. Does anybody have recommendations of where to shop online for tandem parts?

You'd need to define "tandem parts" as there are very few parts that are unique to tandems, e.g., stoker stems, crossover-cranksets, eccentrics, beefier hubs, and the Arai drum brake.

cranksets, stoker handlebars, eccentrics, stoker handles (brake hoods), hubs, housings/cables, water bottle options, chains, stoker stems, headsets, ..come to mind. I'd like to see what else might be offered by someone who specializes in tandems.

Cranksets are unique if you need a cross-over set-up, but you'll find Sugino brand offered by any of QBP's retailers. If you use same-side drive, two of any type of MTB or triple road cranks will work.
Stoker handlebars are generic: any drop or bullhorn bar will work and are what are used by OEMs
Eccentrics are generally unique to a given frame unless a Bushnell happens to be the right size.
Stoker handles/rests/dummy levers are only available from two vendors: DiaCompe & Cane Creek. Cane Creek are the must-have for the Campy afficianado as they share the same ergo shape.
Hubs: Definitely a tandem-speciality item, but Shimano HF08 and DT-Swiss are widely available.
Housing/Cables: Just about anywhere, including Performance will offer tandem-length cables. Housing lengths used on most tandems are the same as on single bikes.
Water Bottle cages are the same with the exception of the TandemsEast "tandem bottle cage holder" that works on most conventionally sized tandems with internal tubes.
Chains are generic: In most cases 3 normal 112-116 link chains will net you two sync chains and those two sync chains will last you well over 10k miles if alternated between cleanings.
Stoker stems are unique: Dimension/QBP is the basic model available from anyone who uses QBP as a wholesaler. The more specialized models are only available from the bike shop guys. However, given that the Mel Pinto uses a fairly short stoker compartment, an MTB style stem with shim can usually be used as a stoker stem.
Headsets are headsets: Any of the better units installed properly will work.


Tandem Specialty with on-line resources that come immediately to mind

www.precisiontandems.com - Lots of info/items, but awkward site navigation
www.tandemseast.com - Email for catalog
www.gtgtandems.com - Spreadsheet listings with linked photos: best to Email for availability
www.harriscyclery.com - some on line, lots that's not
www.bike123.com - not sure what's on line, but everything you could imagine from any vintage is somewhere in Larry Black's inventory.
www.tandemsltd.com - No details on the web, but catalog available: MSRP is the rule of the day
www.tandemcycleworks.com - Colorado tandem dealer
http://www.tandems-recumbents.com/ - Sacramento, CA tandem dealer


These and others are listed on my Website: http://www.thetandemlink.com/tandems.html

Bigger supply houses with tandem bits:

www.JensonUSA.com
www.airbomb.com
www.aebike.com

When it comes to tandem dealers for parts and knowledge, if you are looking for very saavy, straight up folks, it dosen't get any better than Mark J. at Precision Tandems and Mel K. at Tandems East. I'm sure there are many others, but these guys have been great to buy from.
Bill J.

. . . inlude Jack Goertz @ Tandems Ltd in Alabama

+1 for Mark at Precision Tandems. Excellent customer service and a wealth of information.