Hello,

So growing up I quite enjoyed cycling. I have not done much riding the last few years (besides short commutes). Unfortunately my bicycle was stolen last year (not a huge loss it was a fairly cheap mtn bike).

Since being married my wife and I have gone on exactly two rides even with me being completely out of shape I will put it we have different paces. Growing up my family had two tandems so I rode one every blue moon or so. I have not had a lot of experience being captain (just a few quick rides with my mother as a teenager).

I am looking at getting a new cycle and getting back into the sport. It has occurred to me that perhaps instead of getting a single cycle I should look into a tandem. My wife really likes the idea. She did used to be a very active runner and would perhaps enjoy cycling, but a tandem might be an easier transition to my pace of riding. A few years ago my wife was hit by a car running a red (she was a pedestrian) and suffered a serious head injury. I think she would feel significantly more comfortable with me in control of the bike and observing traffic. We just moved back to Minnesota (a good location for cycling during the 3 months of goodness )

To complicate it though we just got an 18th floor apartment in Downtown St. Paul (moving next month). The building does have "bike storage" in the garage, but I am not sure how safe it is or if it is tandem friendly. We will have a 780 sq ft apartment with a 10x4 balcony. I could see fitting a single cycle or two in the apartment. (there is large closet by the door) but I am having trouble picturing a tandem. There is a hallway that might be long enough to hang one (which would be in the way a little, but might work). How does a tandem fit in an elevator? The apartment also has nice carpet (ie not the most dirt and grease friendly). The balcony is at the far side of the apartment (so I would have to lift it over the living room furniture). I do not like the idea of storing it outdoors and losing the balcony space, but it is an option. In the winter I could probably store the bike in my parents garage (45 min away).

There is a good bike trail that is a few blocks from our apartment. I feel a little apprehensive about riding a long tandem downtown and not crashing into anything/one.

My dad has a Santana that I like. I rode it with my wife tonight briefly so she could experience a tandem. I know Santana makes bikes that fold, but they are pretty pricey bicycles. A folding one could fit easily in our apartment closet. I would assume that would have to be custom ordered as there are probably not a lot floating around used. My dad does have an old T Parsons tandem that my wife and I may be able to borrow.

Has anyone managed to store a tandem in an apartment (if so how)? What other brands make a good folding tandem? How easy is it to fold and unfold a tandem (I know it probably depends on the model)? Is riding a tandem downtown difficult?

Any tips would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Matt