NewTandem

Hi, a co-worker's relative is willing to sell me a Burley Rock and Roll for $450. I would appreciate some input/thoughts from everyone given the following:

1. My wife and I are newbies at tandem. My wife is a novice at bike riding (i.e. can ride a bike, but not 100% comfortable), so I think a tandem is a great way of getting her back on the saddle. She is 5'1".
2. The Burley Rock and Roll is 21" in front and 19" for the back, so I'm pretty sure it won't be an ideal height for my wife as the stoker. However, I'm hoping it's manageable, but anyone have any thoughts on this?
3. The Burley has new tires 2.1 inches wide and 26" wheels. Also has a 7-speed cassette, triple crankset, and an Arai Drum brake
4. I know absolutely nothing about bicycles, lol. But, this seems like a decent value.
5. I have not checked out the tandem in person, as it's located in another state. I do have a vehicle to adequately haul it.

Picture's are attached. Thank you in advance for any input.

IPassGas

Seems like an ideal starter bike to determine if the two of you will enjoy riding a tandem. Your not out much if it doesn't work for you two. IMO, a tandem works best when both parties have positive prior biking experience, so might be a tough sell to your stoker. She is now trusting you with something she doesn't really trust/like independently of you.

Carbonfiberboy 

Yes, it's a good buy and a good bike. My wife is also 5'1" and our stoker seat tube measures 18.5" from the center of stoker's bottom bracket to top of the seat tube. She still has a few inches of seatpost showing.

Since you've not ridden a tandem, I'll warn you that a tandem does not handle like a single bike. It'll take a little time to get used to it. Also, many tandems do not handle at all well without the stoker on board. Their steering design assumes the presence of the stoker.

Before your first ride, it'd be good for both of you to read about The Proper Method: The Proper Method

The most important thing for the stoker is simply to sit quietly, not attempt to balance or affect the motion of the tandem at all, but rather just sit still and pedal. My stoker says never look up the road, you'll anticipate what's going to happen and you don't want to do that. We find starting to be easier than on a single bike, but stopping is trickier, getting the bike to lean just so to enable the captain to put a foot down. It's probably best to practice in an almost empty parking lot so you don't hit anything while getting the hang of stopping and starting. Under way, a tandem is very stable and comfortable.

If it turns out that you like tandeming and get to hankering for a ligher, more modern bike, don't try to upgrade this one. Just buy a newer used one or even buy new. We bought a very nice used tandem in '07 and seldom ride our singles outdoors anymore.

If you will be riding on pavement, you'll find those tires will be slow. For the road, choose smooth tires, or as smooth as tires for those rims come. Continental Contact Speed tires should work well.

IPassGas

And....a biggie...make sure both seat posts are movable up/down.

Leisesturm

No question. It appears to be a perfectly fine purchase. However, I am certain that there are at least a half dozen Burley's posted on the o.p.'s local Craigslist right now, and there are more of them available than teams looking to buy one. The bike pictured is optimized for off-road riding. My guess is the o.p. could benefit from something more hybrid, or outright road oriented. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that that Burley is not exactly an entry-level bike. The low price notwithstanding, that is a serious (off) roadgoing machine pictured there. For something truly entry level I would not discount the Kent (Pacific) Dual-Drive tandems of WalMart and Amazon shame. A new one is half the price of the bike pictured and is way more tandem than an entry level team needs and the back end is Mixte so a 5'1" Stoker will be right at home. I would advise having it drop shipped to a home address vs a store assembled unit. FWIW.

L134 

But, keep in mind that the Arai brake on the Burley may be worth more all by itself than the Amazon or WalMart bike. One has to wonder how that might be and what it means.

Freerojo

You probably wouldn’t be able to fit a thud buster or other type shock under the stokers seat if you were thinking that, but a sprung Brooks flyer(with the springs under the seat) would probably fit her and provide shock absorption. My wife is 5’2” on a 96 Cannondale 21/19