Tandem Cycling - Thinking of getting a tandem. . . .

. . . but I don't have a regular partner. I'd like to get one that would be suitable for random pairings. I'd be mostly toodling around town or on railtrails--not serious touring or anything like that.

What do you suggest?

Co-Motion has several models of the Periscopes, including 700c or 26" wheel choices, flat or drop bars, adjustable pilot and stoker stems, etc.
Height-wise the Periscope is extremely adaptable, able to fit all sizes from kids to tall adults.
New or used, depending on your budget . . .
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Elkhound wrote...

I'd be mostly toodling around town or on railtrails--not serious touring or anything like that. What do you suggest?

Based on your stated requirement, I'd suggest spending less and still having a fun ride.
My tandem is a Trek T900 which recently cost me $950.00 new. The frame is plenty stiff, and
the components, though entry level, should serve well for many years of mostly day rides with my wife.

I looked at the Co-Motion periscopes, but with our tandem requirements, I resisted the urge to spend
3 - 4 times as much. A decision I feel was a wise one. The only changes I've made are better tires and saddles,
about $125.00 for the lot at Performance.

For comparison, I still ride an inexpensive 25 year old Cannondale ST 400 ( purchased new in 1985) and with regular
maintenance and replacement parts, it's served me well through thousands of miles of touring, citizen races,
and triatlons / biathlons. That's why I'm confident that the inexpensive Trek tandem will do the same.

If your requirements change dramatically over time, that is the time to upgrade ... Regards, Tom

The 14.5" stoker frame height easily accommodates Rita's 4'11" as well as my 5'9".
http://www.yostwerks.com/TrekGlenA.jpg

Monday at Glenwood Canyon
http://www.yostwerks.com/TrekGlenB.jpg

The old Cannondale ST 400 ... still going strong after all these years... Inexpensive, but not cheap :thumb:
I ride my TriCross Comp lots more these days, but the Cannondale is still my sentimental favorite.
http://www.yostwerks.com/TrekGlenC.jpg

Co-Mo Persicope is pricier than the above Trek. But, has more choices and much upgraded components.
Your wallet will dictate . . .
Rode a Co-Mo custom tandem that we sold after only 57,000 miles on the odometer. Got our money's worth out of it!

Rode a Co-Mo custom tandem that we sold after only 57,000 miles on the odometer. Got our money's worth out of it!

I'm sure you did, and if I were planning on anything resembling that kind of mileage, I'd likely be posting pics of a Co-Mo, Santana, or a Calfee ... not a Trek.

However, like me, Elkhound doesn't sound like there's 57K in his future tandem plans ... hence a much lower priced tandem as a viable option. Tom


Your wallet will dictate . . .

How true ... but only for non tandem purchases :p
http://www.yostwerks.com/BMWBOX800.jpg

If you can afford those vehicles (assuming you bought them new) what are you messing around for, dump the Trek and get the darned Calfee. A really nice one probably isn't much more than that 1000R there in the driveway. ;)

Nothing nicer than a carbon tandem, as they are so smooth. You don't want to sweat that your random pairing stoker might not cotton to aluminum buzz.

You should be able to get a great deal on a Ciocc (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?654470-Does-anyone-know-anything-about-Chiocc-aluminium-tandems&p=10966403&viewfull=1#post10966403), for about half the price of a Calfee Dragonfly. Its rare and Italian, just the thing for a latter-day courting tandem.

http://www.bikeaffair.com.au/thumbnaillarge/16tandemCarbon.jpg

You don't want to sweat that your random pairing stoker might not cotton to aluminum buzz.

That CIOCC looks great , I wonder if it will fit on an Aprilia top rack :) ... Don't believe him Elkhound. Aluminum has excellent
dampening qualities.

Though in that regard, I prefer shiny 6063-T832 vs dull 6061-T6 in my take-apart framesets... :D
http://www.yostwerks.com/SeaGlider800A.jpg

With wood being "clearly" best of all. Oops, wrong forum :rolleyes:
http://www.yostwerks.com/SeaRiderClear800A.jpg

Bike Friday makes a tandem (the Q tandem) that can be converted between a single bike and a tandem. Having the flexibility to add / remove the second seat is pretty interesting. I imagine other manufacturers have something similar.