Precision Tandems sounds like a good possibility. Village CycleSport near Chicago might be promising, too. I wonder what they have in stock for test rides. Probably a call would be appropriate.

I'm quite familiar with AllAbilityCycles as I got my Brompton there. I do like them but I want a "standard" tandem (upright) and the ones John carries are a bit more special (recumbent, upright-recumbend combo, etc).

RTR Magazine and the Tandem Club of America are a letdown. At least their websites. They barely have any classifieds and if they are far across the country. Craigslist has more for sale and it's easier to navigate. But since I don't have a clue what tandem and tandem size I want it's not very reasonable to go this way since I would have to do a significant amount of travel just to look at a few of them.

My hope is to find a dealer closer by that has several in stock for test ride. Or a test ride from a local tandem owner who has one setup for a 5'10" captain and a child stroker would be great, too.