We have an EZ Tandem (recumbent) which is fine, but it's really long, and we find we don't take it places because it is a chore to pack. Am thinking about replacing it (and possibly a Twinn with something a little more conventional, giving us a little more "legs" when we go for a family outing.

I'm leaning toward either a Bike Friday Family Traveler (8 speed?) or something like a Burley Zydeco or Samba. I don't see going over 30 miles at a time except on very rare occasions. Either way, flat bars would probably be replaced by North Roads or Albatross or something similar. (I don't like drop bars, although I suppose if the stem were comically tall...) I've sketched it out, and both of these ought to fit in the back of a truck with a 2 meter bed with a front wheel removed.

So I'm curious, is there any collective experience with upright bars on a tandem? I don't expect to ride this very aggressively, particularly down hills. We have some friends with a Periscope, which I probably ought to beg a ride on sometime.

So I'm curious, is there any collective experience with upright bars on a tandem? I don't expect to ride this very aggressively, particularly down hills. We have some friends with a Periscope, which I probably ought to beg a ride on sometime.

I guess that I don't understand the question. Conventional framed tandems with upright bars are common. Many folks prefer that configuration. My daughter and son-in-law have one.

Yeah, it was poorly phrased, sorry. Was helping play club penguin with a 5YO at the same time.

Anyway, I've seen tandems with flat bars & drop bars, but except for old Schwinns & Columbias, none with other upright bars. Didn't know if there was a reason why not other than preference.

Also, any Zydeco experiences here?

Thanks.

Zydeco is bottom line Burley. The last couple years of that model were the better ones as they were alu and built off-shore. Samba would be a better choice in the Burley line.
If you can get a ride on a Co-Mo Peri, do it! $2570 for a new flatbar Peri . . . a great bike!