Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Tandem Cycling
Reload this Page >

Borrowing or renting a tandem in Bellingham, WA

Notices
Tandem Cycling A bicycle built for two. Want to find out more about this wonderful world of tandems? Check out this forum to talk with other tandem enthusiasts. Captains and stokers welcome!

Borrowing or renting a tandem in Bellingham, WA

Old 05-07-15, 12:41 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Borrowing or renting a tandem in Bellingham, WA

Hello!

Wife and I want to do the tandem rally up in Bellingham, WA this July. Unfortunately our tandem doesn't have couplers so we can't take it with us on the plane.

Is anyone aware of a place that might rent a nicer tandem (with gears, maybe drop bars, etc) to us up there? Or maybe a couple who'd let us borrow one with a suitable security deposit, etc? We tried contacting the tandem club up there, but no luck quite yet.

Thanks!
tegnamo is offline  
Old 05-07-15, 04:09 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
zonatandem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016

Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times in 11 Posts
You do NOT need couples to have your tandem fly with you on a plane . . .
Put it in a tandem size box (or 2 single bike boxes spliced together) and pay the fee.
Been there, done that.
zonatandem is offline  
Old 05-07-15, 04:31 PM
  #3  
Clipless in Coeur d'Alene
 
twocicle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 1,996

Bikes: Tandems: Calfee Dragonfly S&S, Ventana ECDM mtb; Singles: Specialized Tarmac SL4 S-Works, Specialized Stumpjumper Pro, etal.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 164 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 15 Posts
tegnamo,

Unless your only choice is to fly on a small regional prop plane, most every other jet will accommodate an uncoupled tandem.

For example, here is the United Airlines policy: Traveling with Sports Equipment | United Airlines

As I recall, UAL's bike box limits are the size of the smallest BikePro tandem case, or in the order of 72" x 34" x 10". UAL also limits bike box weight to under 100lbs. Other carriers will have their own limits and fee schedules. Zona's point... anything from a cardboard box and up (in cost) should do fine.
twocicle is offline  
Old 05-07-15, 11:36 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
That's great to hear. In the future we might do that. Unfortunately the other caveat is that we are flying to the east coast after Bellingham. And from the east coast we fly straight home to California.

We only need the tandem in Bellingham ultimately. As such, just being able to temporarily have access to one would seemingly be ideal unless there's something we haven't considered yet. I mean, we could technically ship it back to California after the rally, before we go to the east coast, but that might be pricey.
tegnamo is offline  
Old 05-08-15, 09:08 AM
  #5  
rlp
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Thousand Oaks
Posts: 87

Bikes: Franco Kanan, Santana Arriva and Beyond Tandems

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The NWTR web site list Tandem Diversity as a source for rentals. The other option could be to fly your bike up and then ship it home to your local LBS and they would more than likely store it until you get home from the east coast. There are shipping vendors listed on the NWTR web site. You can also find some good general information about flying with tandems on the Santana web site.

BTW, We'll see you up there!
rlp is offline  
Old 05-08-15, 07:30 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
I spoke with Mark at Tandem Diversity today, actually. Nice guy and tried very hard to see if his remaining bikes might fit us, but no dice
tegnamo is offline  
Old 05-09-15, 04:53 PM
  #7  
I'd rather be riding
 
DKMcK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Denver NC
Posts: 173

Bikes: Santana Team Ti 700 S&S, Trek Madone 6, Omega Ti,Klein Palamino, Trek 510

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Check the pricing at Bikeflights.com. We are planning to ship our coupled tandem from NC to the rally instead of taking on the flight. It's a little more than the bag check fees and a lot less hassle.
DKMcK is offline  
Old 05-09-15, 10:09 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Wow. Surprised to see it's only $68 each way. Definitely on par with renting for a few days. So...it's not UPS or FedEx, but rather some sort of courier or whatever? Does the package get handled a lot? I'd like to pack it myself if possible...
tegnamo is offline  
Old 05-10-15, 12:23 PM
  #9  
I'd rather be riding
 
DKMcK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Denver NC
Posts: 173

Bikes: Santana Team Ti 700 S&S, Trek Madone 6, Omega Ti,Klein Palamino, Trek 510

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I've used Bikeflights.com twice and both times it was Fedex ground. I packed it myself and took it to local Fedex store.
DKMcK is offline  
Old 05-11-15, 01:01 AM
  #10  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 132

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Pro, Bilenky Coupled Tandem, Calfee Tetra Tandem

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times in 10 Posts
Another option is Spinlister.com. It's kind of like airbnb if you are familiar with it. If you are flying into Seattle there are a couple of tandems listed there that you can rent. I haven't used the site and we're not renting our bikes but figured someone maybe interested in trying it out.
act0fgod is offline  
Old 05-15-15, 06:28 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
swc7916's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Machias, WA
Posts: 718

Bikes: Rodriguez Toucan tandem, Rodriguez Rainer Lite sport/touring

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What size do you need? We have a spare tandem we're not using.
swc7916 is offline  
Old 05-25-15, 03:52 PM
  #12  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by swc7916
What size do you need? We have a spare tandem we're not using.
Thank you for offering. We basically need a small or medium, depending on actual manufacturer sizing. I'm 5'7" and wife is 5'. Ideally <30" standover for the captain (me). Reach is usually my biggest issue, since I think I have short arms/torso/etc. What make, model and size is your spare tandem?
tegnamo is offline  
Old 05-25-15, 05:54 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
swc7916's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Machias, WA
Posts: 718

Bikes: Rodriguez Toucan tandem, Rodriguez Rainer Lite sport/touring

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by tegnamo
Thank you for offering. We basically need a small or medium, depending on actual manufacturer sizing. I'm 5'7" and wife is 5'. Ideally <30" standover for the captain (me). Reach is usually my biggest issue, since I think I have short arms/torso/etc. What make, model and size is your spare tandem?
It's a Rodriguez small frame with 26" wheels, with 170mm cranks in front and 165mm cranks in back (my wife has short legs). I'm sure that it would fit great; you'd have to figure out if the reach works for yourself. We're about 65 miles south of Bellingham and we're not going to the rally (even if we were, we don't have the means to carry two tandems) - how would you plan to transport it?
swc7916 is offline  
Old 05-25-15, 09:54 PM
  #14  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Ah, the distance thing is an issue. We weren't intending to rent a car at all, and even if we did it would have to be a minivan or something to fit your tandem. We do appreciate the offer nonetheless!
tegnamo is offline  
Old 05-26-15, 01:49 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Grass Valley
Posts: 167

Bikes: Co-Motion Primera Co-Pilot, Trek Madone 3.1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by tegnamo
Hello!

Wife and I want to do the tandem rally up in Bellingham, WA this July. Unfortunately our tandem doesn't have couplers so we can't take it with us on the plane.

Is anyone aware of a place that might rent a nicer tandem (with gears, maybe drop bars, etc) to us up there? Or maybe a couple who'd let us borrow one with a suitable security deposit, etc? We tried contacting the tandem club up there, but no luck quite yet.

Thanks!
Tegnamo,

Where are you located?
Maybe your bike could hitch a ride...
vrooom3440 is offline  
Old 05-27-15, 10:52 AM
  #16  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by vrooom3440
Tegnamo,

Where are you located?
Maybe your bike could hitch a ride...
We're pretty far away, down in San Diego, California! Flying up to Seattle and then hopping a small plane over to Bellingham it looks like. So even if we got the tandem on the big plane, I fear the small plane wouldn't take it...
tegnamo is offline  
Old 05-27-15, 07:05 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Grass Valley
Posts: 167

Bikes: Co-Motion Primera Co-Pilot, Trek Madone 3.1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by tegnamo
We're pretty far away, down in San Diego, California! Flying up to Seattle and then hopping a small plane over to Bellingham it looks like. So even if we got the tandem on the big plane, I fear the small plane wouldn't take it...
San Diego... well you managed to max out the south scale for California

Here is what I was thinking: I am in the Sacramento area and am thinking of driving up and making a bit bigger vacation of it. And once driving... well the truck really does not care how many bikes are on it.

Dunno if there is anybody else down your way crazy enough to drive who might haul an extra bike or not?

<edit:>
Shoot once you fly to Seattle you are only a short drive away... if it was merely the small plane factor I would just grab a car and drive the rest of the way. I prefer to be on my own gear that much But you had said you were heading a different direction after instead of back home so...

Last edited by vrooom3440; 05-27-15 at 07:10 PM. Reason: Added info...
vrooom3440 is offline  
Old 05-29-15, 12:54 PM
  #18  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by vrooom3440
<edit:>
Shoot once you fly to Seattle you are only a short drive away... if it was merely the small plane factor I would just grab a car and drive the rest of the way. I prefer to be on my own gear that much But you had said you were heading a different direction after instead of back home so...
Yeah, that's the big thing. I mean, we could fly up with it and ship it back, but I figure why not just have it shipped both ways in that case. Thanks for offering some help nonetheless.
tegnamo is offline  
Old 06-04-15, 12:41 PM
  #19  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: St Louis Park MN
Posts: 174

Bikes: Mead Ranger '24- Armstrong 3sp '64 Follis 172 '74 Centurian Accordo 80's Mercian '85 Mark Zeh road '86 Kona Explosif '93 Merkx Ti AX '97 Santana Arriva tandem '99 Bike Friday tandem

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 30 Times in 22 Posts
I think we may be able to help you. *We are attending the rally & we have a Bike Friday tandem that we could bring along. *We are 5'8" & 5'4" & the Bike Friday is very adjustable so if you do not mind riding a 20" wheel it should work for you. *At first it feels a little odd but after riding a few blocks it feels close to normal. *If you are interested, send us a private message. *We will be gone from June 8 to June 11. *
MeadMan2 is offline  
Old 06-08-15, 12:12 PM
  #20  
Full Member
 
engineerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Land of Eternal Winter
Posts: 304
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 30 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 10 Posts
Originally Posted by rlp
The NWTR web site list Tandem Diversity as a source for rentals. The other option could be to fly your bike up and then ship it home to your local LBS and they would more than likely store it until you get home from the east coast. There are shipping vendors listed on the NWTR web site. You can also find some good general information about flying with tandems on the Santana web site.

BTW, We'll see you up there!
We'll be there, too.

Look for the Burley Duet with safety-yellow panniers.

Bob
engineerbob is offline  
Old 06-12-15, 10:39 AM
  #21  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: St Louis Park MN
Posts: 174

Bikes: Mead Ranger '24- Armstrong 3sp '64 Follis 172 '74 Centurian Accordo 80's Mercian '85 Mark Zeh road '86 Kona Explosif '93 Merkx Ti AX '97 Santana Arriva tandem '99 Bike Friday tandem

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 30 Times in 22 Posts
Sorry Tegnamo, I do not have enough posts to send you a private message. *I'm afraid that your plans & ours are in conflict. *We will not be able to provide you with our Bike Friday tandem.
MeadMan2 is offline  
Old 06-12-15, 06:56 PM
  #22  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by MeadMan2
Sorry Tegnamo, I do not have enough posts to send you a private message. *I'm afraid that your plans & ours are in conflict. *We will not be able to provide you with our Bike Friday tandem.
Hey, no worries! I really appreciate the offer!
tegnamo is offline  
Old 06-24-15, 05:50 PM
  #23  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
We wound up shipping our tandem via bikeflights.com. About $70 each way, which included $1200 of insurance (our tandem didn't cost much to begin with). Packed it all into a Co-Motion box. Tight fit, considering Co-Motion ships its wheels in a separate box. But our frame is a small, so I think that's part of the reason we got away with it. Fingers cross it arrives in good condition!
tegnamo is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Team Fab
Tandem Cycling
0
11-09-15 09:29 AM
atufft
Tandem Cycling
16
04-16-15 11:30 AM
cbike
Tandem Cycling
17
08-28-13 04:07 PM
act0fgod
Tandem Cycling
5
12-18-10 07:26 PM
Duane Smelser
Tandem Cycling
1
02-26-10 03:44 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.