Singlespeed tandem frame group buy: possible?
 

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=6378617

I'm attempting to generate discussion in the singlespeed/fixed gear forum about the potential of a singlespeed tandem frame group buy. in the past, IRO has done frameset groupbuys which has worked out quite nicely (in fact, my girlfriend built up a great rain/lockup fixie as a result).
Have you guys heard of anything like this being done for tandems? Do you know of any independent frambuilders who might benefit from something like this?
The poll linked above was just started last night so i'm not too sure how many interested parties there'll be, but if there's enough i'm hoping we can collectively get a ball rolling.

Thanks in advance...

Tandems are a niche market and single speed/fixed is even more of a niche!
Find an old Schwinn tandem and go from there . . . cheap to boot.
Otherwise be prepared to lay out some heavy $$$$!

To the OP, most tandem-riding enthusiasts who have an interest in direct-drive tandems:

1. Use a second rear wheel with a White Industries Eno hub or similar type of modified cassette configuration for off-season. on their current road tandem with vertical dropouts. This is the least expensive / most effective route since it keeps them on a frame that fits and handles well.

2. Find an older, used tandem with vertical drop-outs to add a second tandem to the stable for dedicated use that's been modified as above. Reasonably affordable way of getting a high-quality tandem with most of the parts needed to make it work as a S/S or fixed-gear.

3. For strong track rats, real track tandems are like some of the rare time-trial tandems... they have their way of moving from one team to another. However, a couple hundred bucks will get the rear drop-outs on a used tandem changed to track fork ends and a new fork with the proper rake for use on the track.

4. The creme-de-la-creme is a custom-made to order frame by someone who knows how to build a track tandem.

That said, if they're cheap enough I'm sure you'll find enough takers to get a gonzo deal on a batch buy.


Not usually they way many of these group buys seem to work. Instead of going to someone like Co-Motion or a custom builder like Walker, invariably someone hooks up with an off-shore manufacturer's rep and works out a batch order of frames made in Asia that end up costing the broker / wholesaler less than the cost of a descent paint job by a frame shop here in the states. Even at 100% mark-up and with the USD in the toilet one of these frames could be retailed at less than the cost of a basic set of wheels. .