Tandem Cycling - Atlantic Coast tandem

I saw a small bit on this tandem in the new Bicycling. The web site noted doesn't have much info, but it seems fairly well spec'd. Does anyone have any experience with or info on this tandem? I'm looking for my first tandem to help my wife with exercise and this model caught my eye as something strong and I like the low crossover height for the stoker.

How do you plan on using this bike? It would be fine for Ice cream rides or rail trails. BUBut if your looking for a tandem for touring or longer rides you won't be happy with this bike.

http://www.hiwheel.com/tandems_main.htm
Atlantic Coast Tandem Features:

• Shimano SIS 18 speed (They still make six speed stuff?)
• Falcon IGS grip shifters
• Gel saddles
• Comfort clearance frame design (Steel tube)
• Alloy rims
• "V" style brakes
26" x 2" knobby gumwall tires
• Quick release seat and front hub
• Water bottles & cages
• Front shock (WTC182S only)

If you can spend more look into the Burley Tandems, or try looking into a used tandem.

I saw a small bit on this tandem in the new Bicycling. The web site noted doesn't have much info, but it seems fairly well spec'd. Does anyone have any experience with or info on this tandem? I'm looking for my first tandem to help my wife with exercise and this model caught my eye as something strong and I like the low crossover height for the stoker.

Similar to the Walmart tandem that has recently been discussed on this forum, the Atlantic Coast appears to be based on another RaleighUSA frame / bicycle. This frame has actually been on the market for several years under both the Raleigh and a while back the Univega name. You can see it in full Raleigh trim here: http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=10&itemid=188&va=0 and also here.
http://villagecyclesport.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=994&Catalog=39&sort=Price

At $599 from Village Sport Cyclery, the Companion is a better value than the Atlantic Coast as equipped at hi-wheel. Not sure how much the one you saw in Bicycling was being sold for, but IMHO, as equipped that tandem should be priced more like the Walmart "Kent" tandem, i.e., $300 or so. In fact, the equipment on the Atlantic looks to be about the same as the Walmart offering noting they both use the very unusual idler wheel to take up slack on the timing chain vs. an eccentric.

Similar to the Walmart tandem that has recently been discussed on this forum, the Atlantic Coast appears to be based on another RaleighUSA frame / bicycle. This frame has actually been on the market for several years under both the Raleigh and a while back the Univega name. You can see it in full Raleigh trim here: http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=10&itemid=188&va=0 and also here.
http://villagecyclesport.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=994&Catalog=39&sort=Price

At $599 from Village Sport Cyclery, the Companion is a better value than the Atlantic Coast as equipped at hi-wheel. Not sure how much the one you saw in Bicycling was being sold for, but IMHO, as equipped that tandem should be priced more like the Walmart "Kent" tandem, i.e., $300 or so. In fact, the equipment on the Atlantic looks to be about the same as the Walmart offering noting they both use the very unusual idler wheel to take up slack on the timing chain vs. an eccentric.

Thank you for the info. The Raleigh at $599 sounds good if I can find it out here in Seattle for that price. I just want something sturdy tp start, and then if my wife enjoys it, we'll move up to a better tandem. We will be doing almost exclusively trail riding or backroads. I've ridden a lot a now have a recumbent that I've out 1500 mi on since last July. I love to ride and would like to get my wife out there too, but she's very tentative on a bike.

That type tandem is great for 'let's go around the block' stuff.
If interested in something better, look for a used Burley Zydeco Mixte X (a step-thru frame for stoker), Rodriguez, Co-Motion, old Santana or even a Schwinn DuoSport (no longer being made).
Good luck!