Tandem Cycling - What is this bike?

Hey all, I'm new here and was reading through the forums; if there's anyplace I can go to have this question answered, it's got to be here!

My wife (5'6", bad knees) and I (5'9", good knees) are looking for a tandem bike as a green way to get around town over short distances together (no more than a couple of miles).

So, while looking to get something serviceable and durable, I came across this bike:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vint-Tandem-Mtn-Bike-6-Speed-Big-Seats-Fenders-GREAT-/130434472721?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5e801b11#ht_1424wt_907

I only know Lazer as a helmet company, and I can't find any information about this bike. I'd guess that it's from the 1980s, but I have no real idea. Is it on par with an older Schwinn? And am I doing the right thing by looking on eBay and Craigslist for such a bike?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Looking on ebay and Craigslist may get you what you want. But... Unless you are really very certain, don't buy without riding it first. Which generally means Craigslist is going to be a better bet than ebay. In the case of the bike in question, the $110 shipping, when added to the $225 "Buy it now" price, would put it at $335. Looking at the bike I would guess it might be worth $100. Or not. There are new tandems (not great quality, needing work straight out of the box, but some folks are enjoying them) for less than this. Depending on your sizes, and willingness to wrench, for your needs that might be a better bet.

Judging from the pictures, the "mountain bike" description is without merit.
Steel rims with a front caliper brake and a questionable rear drum. No telling if it would stop when wet.
Might be ok for two mile rides but hard to tell except in person.

Webster, I used to bike just a little bit on my own about a decade ago. I had a Specialized mountain bike for awhile and then a Gary Fisher Tarpon. I don't mind putting a little elbow grease into a bike, but I don't know what I'm doing well enough do trust myself to do more than maybe tighten brakes, raise or lower handlebars or change out a seat.

I freely admit I don't know the market for tandem bikes well at all, so thanks for telling me what you both see in it, and how much you'd be willing to spend on something like that. Are you telling me that if I had around $300 to spend on a tandem bike I'd be better off going with something like a Kent or a Mongoose? I hadn't considered an option like that. Is there something better you'd suggest I go for?

Also, thanks for the ride-it-first advice. The only reason I thought about that bike on eBay is because it's being sold within driving distance right now, but I'm glad you told me anyway.

Look for an older Burley, Santana, Schwinn DuoSport (NOT Schwinn Twin!), Kuwahara, Montague, Roland, etc.
Much better bikes than the new Mongoose or W-mart Kents.
And do test ride as much as for workability as for proper fit. Even on short jaunts, fit is important!
Good luck!
Rudy & Kay/zonatandem

I'm not sure how far you are from Eugene, but a quick Craigslist search yielded this KHS

http://eugene.craigslist.org/bik/2299134297.html

There are plenty of great used tandems out there, especially if you don't mind something older or heavier.

Zonatandem, thanks! I will keep an eye out for those brands on CL and (possibly, nearby) eBay.

hup, that is quite a find! Eugene is just slightly over two hours from where I am, and $350 is just slightly over what I'm willing/able to spend. I will definitely keep an eye out for something in that ballpark...

Are you telling me that if I had around $300 to spend on a tandem bike I'd be better off going with something like a Kent or a Mongoose?

I would say a Kent or Mongoose would likely be a better choice than the ebay option in the original post. However, I agree that an older Burley, Santana (good luck), Kuwahara, Montague, ... would be better. To that list I add KHS. They make a bike with an MRSP of $819, and it is a BIG step up from the Kent or the Mongoose. You may be able to find one of those used.

Ii sold a '90 Burley Duet a couple of years ago for $450 and have seen others trade at around that number. You should be able to find a safe, comfortable, and significantly lighter tandem for that number. For your budget, or less, you should be able to come up with a Schwinn beachcruiser, which is, at least, a known quantity.
The tandem in the ebay ad has a band brake on the rear. I have some experience with the same brake on very early Dahon folding singles. They are just barely acceptable on the Dahons and I would be very wary of them on a tandem.

Look for an older Burley, Santana, Schwinn DuoSport (NOT Schwinn Twin!), Kuwahara, Montague, Roland, etc.
Much better bikes than the new Mongoose or W-mart Kents.
And do test ride as much as for workability as for proper fit. Even on short jaunts, fit is important!
Good luck!
Rudy & Kay/zonatandem

Zona, when you have time, please define "etc." This is for posterity after all, and you have wisdom of the ages.

After all your search advice, I have decided to take a gander at this one:

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2313602677.html

I will be trying out fit this weekend, but I never would have known that this was the type of bike to look for without your help. Thanks!