Tandem Cycling - Schwinn Duo Sport

A local CL ad is offering a nearly original 1989 Schwinn Duo Sport in great condition for $300 or best offer. I'm intrigued. I've seen a couple of archived threads on the Duo Sport in the Tandem forum, so I know that members think highly of it.

I'm in the market for a tandem, expecting to find an old Twinn DeLuxe that needed work. I never imagined I'd find a racing-style tandem.

However, I have never ridden a tandem, and neither has my wife. We're in our 50's and she's not wild about drop bars at all. Our main bikes are Suburbans, her Raleigh Sport, and my Peugeot P8. So, given the above facts, tell me please:

1) Is this tandem worth the asking price?
2) Is this tandem appropriate for newbies like us? In other words, will I regret buying this bike?

Following are the seller's CL pics via iPhone:

http://images.craigslist.org/3kb3p03lf5Y55Z65S2b6t9d0b54f01e071da3.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3n63pe3o55Y45W25P6b6te962a3d44cd61a6a.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3nf3k13pd5V55Q15X3b6t0f6abba868821e76.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3p43o73l25Z05X65R3b6t890e7465214718e2.jpg

If it fits you both, then I don't think you will regret buying it. Especially at that price in good condition. If you have considered getting one, you owe it to yourself to at least go take a look and test ride.

We're in our 50's and she's not wild about drop bars at all.

The good news (?) is that the stoker bars are flat!

"The stoker bars are flat" - you mean the handlebars for the stoker are flat bars, not drop bars? Good eye -- I couldn't tell from the photos. I know the catalog page shows drop bars for both positions.

I actually considered buying one of these when they were new, but opted for a Burley Duet, at the time, because we wanted a stiffer frame and drop bars. Your wife might actually appreciate the "mixte" frame, and the flat bar.
I don't see how you can go wrong for $300. If the derailleurs and shifters are Suntour, as alot of that vintage bikes have, parts might become scarce, but you can always change the drivetrain to Shimano when and if this becomes an issure.
If the bike fits you, it will make a very nice entry level tandem for you. It should perform pretty decently; much better than a Twinn deluxe!

We did testing for Schwinn before the DuoSport was available to the public.
Rode it for 3 months and were quite impressed. That tandem originally sold for just over $1,200 and is well designed and worth the 300 bucks!
If it fits the 2-of-you, go for it. Heck it would cost you about that much to rent a tandem for a week!
Couple minor notes; the stoker compartment is a bit on the snug side for large stokers. The ladyback design is great for folks under 5'6".
The tandem does not have an intertnal lateral tube but is stiff enough without it due to the oversize tubing and shorter wheelbase.
If we recall wheelbase is about 4 inches shorter than most production tandems.
We have ridden many brands/models of tandems (over 30) and we considered the DuoSport under-valued and under-advertised and a great buy at the time.
Make a ca$h offer of 250 and see what happens; you can always pay the full price and it would still be a 'steal.'
If you do get the DuoSport go ride it at Stoney Creek Metro Park . . . fun!
As you can see from the photo we do have a Detroit connection!
Just our input.

208958208959

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem