slightly bent frame, used tandem

[Jessica]

is this something that can be corrected, or am I stuck with whatever the seller will do to make it right? I do not see a lot of sources for inexpensive tandems that will fit small people here in Sacramento, and I may just chose to live with pulling to the right, but I want to think about choices.

the bike is 2 mixte shaped, and we are 5'2" and 5'4", but I want a machine where my partner can choose captain or stoker, so it must be able to accomodate the 5'2" front or back. and I really do not want to spend more than $300 until I see if we really use it...

[galen_52657]

Bent steel frame can be straitened. For $300 I would assume it is an old Gitane or Puegot or Schwinn? Those old bikes are hard on wheels...so if it looks like it has been out in the rain and/or used a lot... I would check it out real close or your cost to get it running will be more than the purchase price.

[TandemGeek]

Give Steve Rex a call. He's an excellent tandem builder in Sacramento who would be able to give you a straight forward assessment of what's feasible.

Contact Info.

Rex Cycles
1930 capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone + Fax (916) 446-5706
email rexcycles@rexcycles.com
http://rexcycles.com/home.html

[Jessica]

I was thinking about calling him, or rather, visiting... The bike could cost me an additional $300 and be worth it to me, because the frame is small enough, IF it will be sound to use after modifying. The new ones I have seen are just not made for our size or they are way out of my price range.

It is an old Schwinn.

Thanks for the advice.

[bcspain]

Jessica,

I don't want to get the "walmart" argument started again here, but if your budget only runs to about $300, walmart sells a kent tandem that would accomodate you for less than that figure. We have one that we've had for going on 3 years, we ride it about 25 or 30 miles a week, sometimes more. My wife is barely 5 feet tall and I'm 6-1. There was enough adjustment in the seats and handlebars to get us both comfortable. We've even crashed it a couple of times, but it comes right back. Have had no repairs to do on it other than the crash related stuff. Are there better bikes out there? Absolutely. And if you can find them for what you have available to spend, by all means get the best you can afford. If not, the Kent would make a good first tandem for you.

Good luck in your search and have fun riding!

[Jessica]

I have no problem with the Walmart solution, except that it does not meet my needs. I want the front and back to be exchangeable, so that either of us can captain (and my partner is 5'2".)so we could put a big kid as a stoker, and I could keep up on my single, if needed. Also, I just want her to have the fun of captaining, if she wants.

I have contacted Steve Rex, and am taking the bike in today. I don't care if it costs more to fix it than buy it, because it is what I want, and the other things I have seen are not what I want.

[halfbiked]

it is what I want, and the other things I have seen are not what I want.

Can't do any better than that!

Good luck, I hope it works out - and have fun.

[DocF]

You are doing the right thing by getting the bike checked by a well-qualified frame person.

Good luck,
Doc

[bcspain]

I have no problem with the Walmart solution, except that it does not meet my needs. I want the front and back to be exchangeable, so that either of us can captain (and my partner is 5'2".)so we could put a big kid as a stoker, and I could keep up on my single, if needed. Also, I just want her to have the fun of captaining, if she wants.

I have contacted Steve Rex, and am taking the bike in today. I don't care if it costs more to fix it than buy it, because it is what I want, and the other things I have seen are not what I want.


That works! The Kent is not very easy to use for multiple riders of differing heights, I grant you. It's built set and forget, and since the stoker's handlebars are actually clamped to the captain's seat post, it pretty much requires that the taller person be the captain.

I hope the one you bought serves you well, and that you and your partner have many happy miles together on it. Elsewhere in the forums I have posted a picture of ours. It's equipped with a baby seat in front of the captain (me in the picture), a trail-a-bike on the back, my wife as the stoker and the two kids are my granddaughters. As assembled, its almost 18 feet long. Do a search for my user name in the forum and you'll find the pic if you want to see it.

Happy trails!

[Jessica]

Got the tandem back from the shop, the rear triangle was slightly out, but the fork was wacko! All fixed!! thank you to those who gave advice, and to Steve Rex, too!

Can't wait for some time to ride, now.

[TandemGeek]

Excellent news.... Glad you got it all squared away.