bob3320

Hi,

I'm looking at this Burley Duet in Indianapolis area. Looks to be in nice condition, but I'm unfamiliar with the tandem market.

What do you think?

BURLEY Duet Tandem Bike USA Made Bicycle - Excellent Condition

Thanks for info. This is my first post. We are looking to get a tandem for my child and I this summer.

Thanks,

-B

Stick69

I am also new to tandems and have been struggling with similar questions. Besides money there are other considerations that will impact whether or not you think you got a good deal a few years from now. Principally, is the bike hanging unused in the garage or are the two of you loving the tandem experience together. Here are a few thoughts that might influence that outcome.

On what type of road/trail surface do you wish to ride; what tire size do you want to use for those conditions; and are the rims and bike compatible with the tires you want to use? You will have fewer tire choices if the rims are 27 by 1 1/4 vs. 700.

Does the bike fit you (will you need a longer quill stem or stem extender); and to a lesser extent how big do you think your child will grow? The second half of that question may be looking a little too far into the future but kids grow fast. So you may not want a rear seat tube height of 20 inches if you expect your daughter to be 5' 5". The child would have to be approaching 5’ 10” to fit a 20" seat tube and at some age they will think the stoker adapter is dorky (or whatever word is being used at that time).

If you want to add suspension for the stoker measure the seat post diameter and see what suspension posts are available in that diameter.


Just a few thoughts from a tandem newbie.

qspencer

While cantilever brakes work well and are still used by some tandem makers, everything else about it is very old technology. I'm guessing that's a 6 speed freewheel. The odd front chainring sizing looks to be what I think is called "half step plus granny" gearing, which I thought went out of style long before 1990. I'm sure the frame is solidly built (and heavy), but not something I'd use as a starting point for component upgrades. I would say it's only worth it if it fits well and meets your needs without any major changes. Even then, I'm inclined to say the price is a little high. A couple of years ago I passed up a chance to buy a KHS that was at least 10 years newer than that for about $700 if I recall correctly (it wasn't the right fit for me). I wouldn't pay more than $500 for this one.

How much to spend on a tandem for riding with kids is real dilemma. We have two tandems we use for riding as a family, but the kids are getting bigger and simultaneously getting harder to persuade to ride with us.

Darth Lefty 

Did you buy it? The posting was deleted.

When I was shopping I saw a lot of 1980's Burleys and Santanas, with 27" wheels and Suntour running gear, with asking prices from up to $2000 but they didn't seem to move unless the price was <$500 regardless of how nice the condition. If you think of them as classic bikes and not tandems, they have good quality fillet brazed frames and sturdy components but they're usually not premium like a racing bike or a grand touring bike. Newer models with modern gear commanded higher prices and got snapped up pretty quick.

fxsvelo

The Craigslist posting has expired so I don't know what the asking price was. But you can go to ebay and search completed listings for Burley Tandem or Burley Duet and see what you get. Looks like they sell in the 500-600 range.

I would look for something that's got:
700 wheels
1-1/8 headset
145mm rear spacing
takes >32mm tires

Old Burleys are heavy but it's a good way to get started. They also had odd press-fit sealed bearing BBs that are pretty non-standard, but parts are readily available.

bob3320

Hello all. Thanks for all the advice.

I bought it ! Got it for $550.

I know it's not a race bike or anything like that, but I think it'll suit our needs.

I think it'll be better than the $400 Wal-mart bike, and hopefully it'll still have some value when I upgrade, or if my riding partner decides to go solo.

My daughter and I like to go on "Saturday morning rides" We hit the farmers market in the morning, then on to lunch and such. @25 miles or so.

I'll post pics later today !

Thanks again

geranimo57

Grats! We bought a new Duet in 2008 from TandemsEast. We ride 3 to 6 days a week weather permitting and this winter put it on a smart trainer and joined Zwift. Good luck looking forward to seeing the photos.

BDM

We just retired our 20 year old Burley Duet. There was extensive corrosion including a substantial hole in the frame under the bottom bracket. We used the bike extensively over the years including several trips overseas so I didn't feel that the failure was premature. Nevertheless, for safety's sake I would suggest that you turn the bike over and inspect for corrosion or buckling. If you catch it earlier than we did it's likely repairable.

I bought it ! Got it for $550.

I know it's not a race bike or anything like that, but I think it'll suit our needs.

I think it'll be better than the $400 Wal-mart bike, and hopefully it'll still have some value when I upgrade, or if my riding partner decides to go solo.

My daughter and I like to go on "Saturday morning rides" We hit the farmers market in the morning, then on to lunch and such. @25 miles or so.

I'll post pics later today !

Thanks again[/QUOTE]

WPH

Well done. Looking forward to good pictures.

bob3320

Sorry it took so long to get pics of the bike up. I took it to the the bike shop for a tune up.

It shifts very well. I think it was in storage for quite some time. No rust!

The rear brake does not work well. Very stiff pull. I think I'll replace the cables.... probably due.

I'm not use to the drop handlebars. They feel really low for our riding style. I'm putting so much weight on them it makes my hands hurt. Maybe I need to lose a few pounds :-)

I have schwalbe marathon tires on my other bike and really love them. I'll probably order a set for the tandem as I noticed they are available in the 27x1.25 size.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the tips!

Alcanbrad

The bike looks sweet, you got a great deal, congrats.

The bars look a little low relative to the seat to me, however, I am not a fit expert. Through several decades of riding I have found that if the drops were too low and/or the bars were too far forward, it was uncomfortable to ride in the drops (and also, for me, harder to breathe). So I prefer a more upright riding position and do not spend much time in the drops.

That said, if riding in the drops is something that you prefer, or want to be able to do, there are few things you can do:

-Consult an experienced bike fitter, however, you could very quickly spend as much or more on the fitting and replacement parts as you paid for the bike.

-Look at compact drop bars where the drops are not as deep (I use these)

-Raising and/or consider a shorter stem, or convert to today's stem design (you can buy a quill that presents a 1 1/8 steering tube for today's stems which can be changed quickly.

-Finally, if you have a road bike that fits you well, try to replicate the geometries.

Enjoy the new bike!

WPH

Man


Get a good quality stem adapter, use a normal a-head style stem which accepts modern handlebars and get try a compact model. Many of these old bikes had tall quill stems, tall front ends, so the handlebars were made deep-drop to get the rider out of the wind. Not so good on our middle-aged backs these days... Newer stems are easy to remove and replace with shorter or longer versions if needed and make removing the handlebars for travel a doddle.

While you are there I really recommend a brake overhaul:
-- Tektro v-brake drop-bar levers
-- XT v-brakes
-- new cables
-- new bar tape
-- if you can afford them... bar-end shifters.

The brakes and bar tape are cheap online (CRC or wiggle I guess).

I changed my old Trek from 7sp to 10sp and it it much more usable (we take it on the local bunch ride a couple of times a month and get around very nicely in the B group). But it was moderately complicated and cost a bit more too.

It all depends on how much $$$$ you are prepared to spend. We are tandem people now (3 in total) and nice tandems are rare in Australia so spending a bit of cash on an old bike is okay, and it gets very well used.

Personal opinion: your bike will look really cool with tires that have black sidewalls.

Up ya go!


wPh

bob3320

Thanks for taking time to give all these suggestions! I really appreciate all the help.

I'll look up these ideas and come up with a plan for sure.

I'll post pics of what I come up with!

fxsvelo

Our old (2001?) Burley came with Tektro mini-V brakes which work pretty well with road levers like Shimano brifters. We use the Paul Mini Moto (mini-V) brakes on the Cannondale. Nice, but a little pricy.

Darth Lefty 

I would really want to get the fit squared away and everything working properly before I went making sweeping changes. You don't want to double the purchase price just buying new parts. Just changing out 25yo brake pads for new ones could make a substantial difference. But I agree that cantis are weak and V-brakes work great; when I was shopping I held out for a tandem set up that way.

27" tires are a poser. You want them fatter than a single because your team is bigger but the selection at 27" is really limited now, and you need to be sure your wheels have hooked rims if you want to crank up the pressure. I wonder how those Loose Screws Sand Canyon tires would do, but they may not fit.

ksisler

Some versions of the Burley's were pretty good bikes. The link is dead so couldn't see pix of that one. If it was one of the later ones, would recommend offer of $350 to $500 depending on wheels, stems, etc., as noted by Stick60's post. Oh, I see later post that you were able to buy it. Great. Ride it lots!!!

himespau 

Congrats. Glad to see you found one that fit you two. I wish I could find one that would fit my wife and I (both cockpit would need to be large/xl and that's not so common).

bob3320

Hey, I'll keep my eye out! I'm only 50 miles north of you or so.