Tandem Cycling - Beginning tandemer

Hello everyone

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My wife and I are just getting started with tandeming. We are looking to purchase our first tandem, but everything is so confusing. Can anyone help?

About the only thing we are sure of is that we would like a tandem that we can go on trails with, i.e., a 26 inch tandem.

I am blind, so I will be stoker. I am about 5.10 and my wife is about 5.4

The dazzling array of tandems is so confusing. We would like to get something that is going to last us a long time, something that we can grow into. We'd like to do some longer rides eventually.

What are the types of things that you would recommend that we look at? I see that tandems can cost upwards of 5k, which is hard to stomach.

Are the tandems made by KHS going to last a while or are they not really worth it? How will we know if we mind "flex" in the frame and how will we be able to tell if we haven't done much riding?
Do people notice a substantial difference between steel and aluminum and carbon fiber? Is it really worth the extra money?

Any stories would be helpful.

Thanks everyone.

I think this thread will be better answered in the tandem forum, so I am moving it there and leaving a redirect for you.

Good thinking!
With a small pilot/tall stoker combo there are not too many choices for a proper fitting tandem.
If you are planning to do paved trails 700c wheels will work fine. If trails are dirt/crushed stone then 26" wheels would be preferable.
A good tandem that would fit both of you and one you can grow into, would be a Co-Motion Periscope.
This tandem is ultra-adjustable, featuring a seatpost-within-a-seatpost and can fit folks with your requirements easily. It is a great quality machine that will last you for a long time. Have ridden the Periscope and we were impressed. Also owned a custom Co-Motion for 10 years and put 'only 57,000 miles' on it.
Depending on equipment (flat or drop bars, 26 or 700c wheels, brakes) the price starts @ +/- $3,000 . .. and yes add $&$ and other stuff and it will top $5K quickly.
Another choice would be the Bike TWOsday (built by Bike Friday folks) and this tandem has extremely low standover room and 20-inch wheels and a host of options than can boost the price quickly from around $2K and then up. In our opinion, the Periscope would be the better choice for the riding/needs you described.
If price becomes a big decider you can look for a used tandem that meets your needs.
There is a noticeable difference between steel/alu/carbon and a noticeable difference in $$ too!
For a first time tandem would not suggest to blow 10 grand on a carbon machine; steel will do just fine and steel is less harsh riding than aluminum. If the ride is a bit harsh for the stoker then you can add either a suspension seatpost or a Brooks saddle with springs.
Have ridden with blind stokers . . . a great way to share the ride TWOgether!
Hope this helps!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Many Co-Motion fans here. We ride a Co-Motion Mocha Co-Pilot which is the S&S coupled version of their 26" wheel mid level bike. If the bike will be taken on flights, you should consider a coupled bike. If not the regular Mocha is a very nice bike. Co-Motion can do custom sizing for a very small additional cost. You will need custom sizing unless you go for the Periscope or a similar bike, you will end up with suboptimal sizing otherwise

I am very happy with our choice of the Mocha, rigged with road handlebars (drops), road snifters and 26" wheels. We go on both paved road and gravel roads down to dirt tracks, and have successfully negotiated all sorts of terrain. Previous bike was a Trek T100 with flat bars, and the first motivator for the upgrade was to go to drops, personal choice as I have been more of a road cyclist.

Tell us a little more about your requirement, expected uses, weights of captain/stoker and cycling experience.

A standard recommendation is to try different bikes if you can, and not just a spin, but longer rides. I have seen Periscopes as rental bikes in San Francisco.