Recreational & Family - Should I buy a triple/quad

I've been dreaming about a really long bike for awhile now.

I have five children, ages two through ten. The oldest three will ride with me--the longest trip we've made together is 4 miles each way (with a picnic in the middle). I don't think my wife has ever gone further than that, either, nor is she all that comfortable with traffic. But that's when we have lots of time.

While we don't drive a whole lot as it is, I'd like to drive less and ride more, and I'm wondering whether it would be worth our while to buy a Bilenky triplet/quad that's available. We currently have a tandem, which is great for taking my daughter to ballet school, avoiding conflicts about who has to ride behind whom. On those rare occasions when my wife and I ride it without any children along, we can really get going. It's a lot of money, but my wife seems willing (if I let her buy plants for our garden). Specifically, if any of you have bicycles of that magnitude, I'd like to know whether it makes a difference in how often you ride (as opposed to driving), and whether it's substantially faster than riding with children on their own bikes (given that they won't be supplying all that much power compared to the weight of the bike.

You're looking at this, right? http://www.sandsmachine.com/a_bilt15.htm
Very cute! What do the kids think of the idea? Are they all happy riding the tandem you already have?
No experience with that kind of thing, unfortunately, but you'd definitely attract a lot of attention!

You're looking at this, right? http://www.sandsmachine.com/a_bilt15.htm
Very cute! What do the kids think of the idea? Are they all happy riding the tandem you already have?
No experience with that kind of thing, unfortunately, but you'd definitely attract a lot of attention!

With two adults and two fit teenagers, I bet we could really fly on that thing...

Why not plan for future "expansion"?
234778

The one I'm looking at doesn't seem to go all the way to double: only triplet and quad. A pretty similar bike, though. I showed a picture to some of the children, and they all seemed interested. They keep track of whose turn it is to ride with me on the tandem.

If the kids are excited, I think you're golden. My only concern (other than cost) would be having a 3 or 4 person bike with only 1 or 2 people that want to ride it. With 7 people to choose from, you probably won't have that problem, but it's good to have some enthusiasm from the other 6 before you go for it.

seems a tandem with a double tag-a-long (if they make that) and then maybe a trailer behind would do the trick and add flexibility. Or even a second tandem and a couple of tag alongs. Would be like putting legos together every time you ride...

There is a double tag a long available. Go to amazon.com and search for adams tandem tag a long and it should come up. I know nothing about it but the write up says it has 7 speeds. That should give you more options and still some control.

Obviously, the much lower cost of the 'lego' approach is attractive. With the tandem we already have, a double tag-a-long, and two children in a trailer, that would be six. But I'm wondering how that would compare in maneuverability to a long tandem, if anyone here has experience with one. And also, my wife isn't any faster than the children, not much more comfortable in traffic, and much less predictable. The children are content to follow me in a line; when she feels like it, she'll hug the curb or even ride on the sidewalk (although she's never been other than complimentary about the way I captain the tandem when we're riding in traffic).

Bike Friday has a double /triple bike ,you can remove/add a rider with those..
Comes apart for travel., suitcase sized packing.