[rankadmiral]

Hi there,

If I buy just a frame, how much would it cost to build a working tandem? Are there build kits available for tandems?

How much for an entry level build? An average quality build? I'm not looking to do any off roading. Just cruising around the neighborhood.

How much to stores typically charge for assembly?

Thanks!

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[TandemGeek]

For what you're describing I'd check out www.Chucksbikes.com

Tandem's will range in cost from your average Walmart "Kent" or similar products being sold on Ebay at $300 all the way up to a $13,500 Santana carbon & Titanium S&S travel tandem and cover all points in between.

The least expensive way to get into a tandem is usually to buy one 2nd hand. After that, some of the low-cost entry level models from Raleigh (< $650) seem to garner fairly good feedback. The next rung on the ladder would include KHS ($800 - $1,100), and so on.

Establish your budget and then do your homework.

[Brian]

Are you looking to build a road or MTB tandem? If you've got a deal on a frame or like to tinker, it's a matter of your budget, as Mark stated. Otherwise you're far better off going the used route, especially for a first tandem. If you insist on building it, we've got plenty of advice here. First bit - take your initial estimate and double it.

[rankadmiral]

Thanks for the replies.

I was looking to get maybe a $1000 tandem. However, I have a chance to get a $2000 frame from a friend of mine for free.

My question is how much would it cost to build the $2000 frame, if the parts are on the level of something like a Burley Samba or Raleigh Coupe? Obviously, the more expensive frame would give me more room to grow in the future.

Thanks!

[DocF]

There is little that is as much fun, in my opinion, as putting together a bicycle of one's own. Other than the tandem specific parts (wheels, cranks, eccentric) upper mid level components will do the job. Depending on the quality of the wheels you buy or build, you should be able to assemble a very nice tandem within your budget.

Good luck,
Doc

[Brian]

Sounds like a road tandem. Sit tight and Zonatandem will cruise over and give you some good advice. Tandemgeek will also come back with some good advice as well. In the meantime, go do an ebay search under cycling for the word "tandem" and see what's available. Cranks/wheels/drivetrain will easily eat up a $1000 note.

[edit] Way more fun to build it yourself, if you've got some time, patience, and cash. The first two can be a good substitute for the last one in many cases. Our bike would have cost about AU$12k, but by carefully selecting components over time, and searching for deals, we only spent about 2/3 that.

[TandemGeek]

My question is how much would it cost to build the $2000 frame, if the parts are on the level of something like a Burley Samba or Raleigh Coupe? Obviously, the more expensive frame would give me more room to grow in the future.

Again, as others have asked, is this a road, enduro, or off-road tandem you're trying to build? Also, the most important information to have on hand when doing your homework is the seat tube diameter, the head tube size, the bottom bracket size(s), brake mounting (boss or drilled for calpers), and rear wheel spacing.

That said, for an example of some tandem-specific / tandem-rated build kits for road bikes, visit this link:
http://www.tandemseast.com/parts_frame.html

If you're trying to build an off-road tandem I'd recommend sending your shopping list to Alex at www.MTBTandems.com

Of course, as already mentioned, you can also check with Chuck at Chuck's Bikes as they will be able to cobble together a low-cost build kit: http://www.chucksbikes.com Please note, I have not personally patronized Chuck's and list them only because a number of folks who frequent these forums have been able to build relatively low-cost entry level tandems using frames and parts acquired through Chucks.

However, probably the most dirt-cheap way to approach your project given your stated component needs would be if, miracle of miracles, your free frame had the same size head / seat tubes and rear drop-out spacing used on a Raleigh Coupe or Burley Samba/Rumba. In which case, you could buy the Coupe or used Samba/Rumba and strip the parts off for your new frame and then sell the frame on Ebay for a few bucks.

Bottom Line: There are only three components on a tandem that NEED to be designed for tandems: The rear hub (spacing & durability), the eccentric (which usually comes installed in a tandem frame), and the fork (which needs to be stronger than a standard fork). Everything else -- including cables and stoker stems -- can be cobbled together using standard bike components. So, once you have your shopping list, just make sure you've got the right sizes and go for it.