Tandem Cycling - 12+ USED Tandems . . .

. . . listed for sale in current issue of Recumbent and Tandem Rider Magazine (Winter '09 - '10)!
So, if you and your partner been searching for a used tandem, there are a bakers-dozen of used 2-seaters listed in R&TR classified section.
Oldest is a vintage 1965 Paramount (with 60/52 chainrings!); a Calfee, one Burley Samba Softride with car/truck carrier and less than 500 miles on the odo; a daVinci Grand Junction with 50 miles on it (both riders wanted to be in charge!); a C'dale; and 2 early 90s Santanas.
Also a possible 'one of' early '80s Fat Chance mt. bike tandem . . . open to offers!
Five recumbent tandems, including a BikeE for $600; two Ryan Duplexes; a Vision R 85; Rans Screamer XL and a Sun/EZ Tandem.
Also: a Draftmaster tandem/'bent/single bike rack and an ATOC Tandem Topper that has extension for a triplet (rare!) in case you need to haul those long wheelbase bikes!

Pedal on into 2010!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

I find used tandem finds all the time by accident while doing internet searches. Here's two Calfee's, one built up, the other a bare frame.


Calfee Carbon Tandem with Titanium Couplers - $8000 (SW Portland) (http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1540647200.html)


Calfee Tetra tandem frame and fork - $3000 (Round Rock) (http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/1535081593.html)

If you know anybody interested in a used but very good condition Santana Sovereign size small have them them contact me. (Located in southern California). Half the price of a new one.

I find used tandem finds all the time by accident while doing internet searches. Here's two Calfee's, one built up, the other a bare frame.


Calfee Carbon Tandem with Titanium Couplers - $8000 (SW Portland) (http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1540647200.html)


Calfee Tetra tandem frame and fork - $3000 (Round Rock) (http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/1535081593.html)

I wonder why someone would buy a $5000 frame and just let it sit.

I wonder why someone would buy a $5000 frame and just let it sit.

I'm wondering why I paid more than $5000 for a new frame, when I could have bought one of these never-built frames.

We don't wonder why we paid $$$ for our frame . . .
We designed it and it fits/rides perfectly!

I find used tandem finds all the time by accident while doing internet searches. Here's two Calfee's, one built up, the other a bare frame.


Calfee Carbon Tandem with Titanium Couplers - $8000 (SW Portland) (http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1540647200.html)


Calfee Tetra tandem frame and fork - $3000 (Round Rock) (http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/1535081593.html)


That Calfee frame has been for sale for awhile now. My resistence may be weakening.

That Calfee frame has been for sale for awhile now. My resistence may be weakening.

Do you think you could live with that orange-red color though?

http://images.craigslist.org/3nf3k53oc5Ob5R25Saa1378018e4114311dbb.jpg

It would be one way to get one of the discontinued Alpha Q tandem carbon forks.

Don't like the color but like the bike?
Re-Paint!

I wonder why someone would buy a $5000 frame and just let it sit.

There's a story that goes with the frame, as is most often the case.

The seller is not the original owner. The frame was bought by someone else a couple years ago who built it up and rode it for a short while before deciding there was something about the tandem he had an issue with. The frame went back to Calfee for some reason and was returned to the owner's LBS, during which time the owner decided to sell the frame.

The current owner/seller bought the frame on a lark while it was still in the Calfee box, noting he and his wife already had a very nice tandem in the same color and size, which is what attracted them to this frame. However, once they had the frame they decided they could not justify the cost of building up the Calfee as a second tandem given they were quite happy with what they had. So, after sitting unbuilt for a couple years, it's now on the market.

It should be noted, the frame is not compatible with the Gates belt drive...

Oh yeah, and lest I forget to say this....

When looking at previously owned Calfee tandems, it's a very good idea to ascertain some details regarding the original owners, i.e., were they really strong or heavy riders? An even better idea it to get the serial number and contact Calfee to verify that the frame is suitable for your team's weight and to learn anything else about the frame's history that might have a bearing on your planned purchase.

For example, our Calfee was designed to accommodate us, a 280lb team. If we had been a bit heavier, our tandem would have needed a larger diameter top tube to provide the necessary stiffness. So, if we were to sell it, the frame would not be a good fit for a team that weighed, say, 350lbs. Now, not even all Calfee buyers realize this so by all means, ask the seller or Calfee for that additional information. Again, if you call Calfee they'll also have the history for that frame which could reveal that it was damaged and repaired (no big deal since Calfee is one of the few firms that knows how to repair composite frames) or modified in some way that may be of interest to a buyer.