Tandem Cycling - Lanky guy on a Trek T900 or Burley Samba

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scouse
12-30-08, 08:46 PM
I am 6'4" and have been searching for a tandem ride for me and my beefy seven year old son. We are daily riders so need something that will take a beating.

Long distance touring isn't on our radar (yet) but it would be nice not to be crippled by a frame that doesn't fit (I just swapped my Fisher hardtail for a recumbent so I am sensitive to such things).

I am aware of a couple of Burley Sambas (Large size) and a Trek T900 on the used market and all of these seem like reasonable starting points.

Do any tall folks out there have any experience with either of these bikes? The Trek has what sounds like a small frame but the top tube appears to slope quite aggressively so the 18.5" front end might be deceiving.

Any thoughts???

Thanks!

SambaMixte
01-03-09, 05:28 AM
See if you can do a test spin on the Samba- I have a Samba Mixte from the early 90's and while I love riding it with the teenage daughters, it cockpit seems tighter than either my Trek 830 or Jamis Aurora. That said, I have swapped handlebars to make some difference a few years ago. Of note, I'm only a 6 foot Clydesdale, but wouldn't buy a tandem without a test ride.
wsurfn
01-03-09, 10:07 AM
We have a Burley Tosa in the large size. I am 6'6"/#230 and I ride a 61cm rode bike. I am no longer lanky. It is an excellent bike and terrific value.

scouse
01-04-09, 05:55 PM
We have a Burley Tosa in the large size. I am 6'6"/#230 and I ride a 61cm rode bike. I am no longer lanky. It is an excellent bike and terrific value.

Wow! Interesting!

Is the reach OK for you?
deanack
01-05-09, 04:14 PM
Hi

I am 6'5" and 225. I ride a Cannondale Jumbo/Large which fits great. The only problem is Cannondale is not making that size anymore. But you may find a used one.

Dean
scouse
01-05-09, 06:26 PM
Thanks Dean

The largest size in the 09 is a J/M but the top tube one the J is 23.6 inches compared with 24.8 on the 08. At 6'5", do you think you could lose this inch in reach and be comfortable? How long is the stem you use? Do you put your seat at the mid-point?
deanack
01-06-09, 07:20 AM
Thanks Dean

The largest size in the 09 is a J/M but the top tube one the J is 23.6 inches compared with 24.8 on the 08. At 6'5", do you think you could lose this inch in reach and be comfortable? How long is the stem you use? Do you put your seat at the mid-point?

I will have to check the length and rise used. It was not the standard Cannondale stem. The 1st one was longer and taller than the one I am using now. So there are stems out there to custom fit a J/M to you.

Dean