Tandem Cycling - Vintage Schwinn Tandem

I'm still trying to 'perfect' my bike train (linked in my signature) that I use for myself and my 4 kids (ages 1, 3, 5, 7). Currently I have a Specialized bike, front mount infant seat, tag-a-long trek bike, with a trailer hauling 2 kids attached to that.

Now, ideally, for next summer & beyond, I think I'd like a tandem bike, attach the trail-a-bike and then the trailer.

I was planning to save up all winter & buy in the spring, but my neighbor just mentioned that he's going to sell his old Schwinn tandem for $200 but offered to sell it to me for $100. He thinks it's from the 1960's. 5 speed. Small rust & everything is in working order. Looks like this:
http://live.universal-collectibles.com/product_images02/48935-1.jpg

I just want this tandem for fun rides to get ice cream or grocery getting with the kids.

I'm thinking for $100 + the cost of replacing the front tire it's well worth it. But what am I forgetting to consider with this cheap vintage as opposed to a used $400-600 tandem?

Thanks so much for your expertise!

For the use you are planning, you got a great deal. Don't worry, be happy. Have fun!

With the $500 bucks you save getting the Schwinn now you can buy them kids a LOT of ice cream!
Look at the Schwinn as a learning tool . . . heck it could cost that much to rent a tandem for a couple weekends! Tandems aren't at all like doing the choo-train set-up you've got now (a bit of a learning curve, but you can do it!); so for a hundred bucks it will be well worth it.
And you can still save up some $$$ for a better tandem later on and get your money back selling the Schwinn.
For your info, the nice l-o-n-g chain guard on the Schwinn could be worth almost a hundred bucks to some collector.
Hey, you've got a good neighbor!
Pedal on mamaC!!!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

P.S. Nice to see everyone wearing a helmet.
Pedal on mamaC!!!

If I found one of those in the shape it seems to be in the picture I would snap it up at twice the price!
Wife and I want a beach cruiser tandem someday for more casual rides than our Santana demands.

Wow! Okay then! I'll buy it! I wasn't sure if I was getting a deal or a heap! :p

Thank you all for your responses!!!!


P.S. Nice to see everyone wearing a helmet.
Pedal on mamaC!!!

Ha! Thanks! The hardest helmet to find was for the baby! They DO NOT seem to make helmets small enough for 1-year-olds. The toddler sizes all were too big & he'd figure out how to undo them. I found that one he's modeling at a garage sale and it said "3 months and up". I don't think they recommend 3-month olds riding anymore! But, I sure do like having a helmet that fits him!

Wish I coulda found one like that! Nice bike.

MamaC on my bicycle built for FIVE! (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3455569789_7d86335b14.jpg)
Takes me back. We used to call that pentacycling. My wife even got an article in Family and Tandem Cycling magazine (long since defunct).

Ha! Thanks! The hardest helmet to find was for the baby! They DO NOT seem to make helmets small enough for 1-year-olds.

They don't exist. Product liability concerns

mamaC

We own three vintage Schwinn Twinns, in addition to our Santana. That bike would usually sell for $250 to $400, depending on condition and location.

It will weigh 63 pounds, but the 5-speed (Deluxe) will help. The real advantage for you is the frame design. About the time your children reach 10 years of age, they will be able to be a stoker. A child stoker kit for a conventional tandem frame will cost you more than this entire bike.

In the end, if your not happy, you can sell it and easily get your money back.

If you post the first two letters of the serial number (may be on the lower part of the head tube) I can tell you the month and year the frame was built. Also look for a 4 digit number on the head badge. That will tell the day it was assembled. It looks to be about a '75 or '76. The color is "Sky Blue."

Rick

Pentacycle -- I love it! My kids call it 'frankenbike'.


They don't exist. Product liability concerns

Well, that's why I couldn't find one! As a parent looking to safely cycle -- that's a problem!




If you post the first two letters of the serial number (may be on the lower part of the head tube) I can tell you the month and year the frame was built. Also look for a 4 digit number on the head badge. That will tell the day it was assembled. It looks to be about a '75 or '76. The color is "Sky Blue."


Rick, thanks for the info!!! That's wonderful to know! I'll get the numbers. My oldest is almost 8. I was hoping he'd be big enough to pedal, but haven't had a chance to get with the neighbor to make our deal & fit my kiddo. But it sounds like it might be best for a couple years from now... thank goodness, you can count on kids growing!

My oldest is almost 8. I was hoping he'd be big enough to pedal, but haven't had a chance to get with the neighbor to make our deal & fit my kiddo. But it sounds like it might be best for a couple years from now... thank goodness, you can count on kids growing!
You don't know until you measure. If he's a big 8-year old it might work. Especially if he has enough of his height in his legs.