Our very first tandem was a production Fench Follis . . . a true 10 speed . . . paid just under $350, brand new in 1975.
Our first full custom tandem in 1977 cost us then the pricey sum of $1200.
Prices progresed upwards (inflation) on the next 3 custom tandems.
Current tandem is 4 years old and retailed for just over $10K. Yup, more inflation (just add zeroes and we know a zero means 'nothing').
Are we faster on the lighter/better tandems? Yup, we were.
When we were younger (our 60s) we'd still pedal 10,000 miles a year (200 mi a week).
Now we ride 100 a week on tandem.
Pilot still rides his single usually once a week (got to justify having one).
We also like to walk + stoker does 1 hour of exercises daily to keep flexible.
Ages: 75 and 73. Our weight: Piot 135, stoker 112.
Health: great! We're also both cancer survivors, but hell, we've got lotsa stuff left to do!
If we knew we were going to live this long, we'd have taken better care of oursleves (just kidding!).
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem