publius

cheap tandems. I've read up some on this subject and most people recommend against buying a cheap older bike, but I want to buy and build up a tandem for my wife for Christmas. It would never be our primary bike because we each ride our own bikes now, but it would make a really neat present and would be a lot of fun. I've seen stories of people having old tandems in their basements and garages from 70s and 80s and was looking for something like that. Something I could clean up, get some new tires, etc and make rideable again. Any places in particular to look - other message boards, Goodwill, garage sales, etc.

Also if there is anyone out there who might have something like this they would sell me (I'm looking to spend under $200 for an old tandem - not including the updating I plan to do) and they're in the Ohio or Indiana area please contact me at livestrongcycling@gmail.com

Thanks!

publius

does not anyone have a cruiser style junky tandem for sale? I'd be willing to expand my search into Penn and Mich as well....

zonatandem

You'll also need to post what size tandem you're looking for . . . One size does not fit all!

Brian

Cast a wider net. The more places you ask, and the more places you look, the better your chances of finding one are. Bike shops, churches, co-workers, friends, neighbors, whoever - get the word out. Someone has one just waiting for you.

Good luck.

publius

thanks. I'm trying to put it out a lot of different places, so hopefully something will come along soon.

publius

I don't know much about tandem sizing, but my road bike is 54cm (I'm 6'0") and my wife is 5'6" if that would help at all.

TandemGeek

Walk into a Walmart, go to the bicycle / sporting goods section and look up... You may find a "Kent" tandem hanging from the ceiling; about $250. You can read a pleathora of comments concerning the Kent tandem and ones like it at this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=kent+tandem

If you search on 'Kent Tandem" and limit your search to the Tandem forum you'll also find several other threads on low-cost cruiser tandems. They're not fancy but will probably work as well as some of the $200 garage sale tandems unless you're really going for the nostalga appeal of a classic Schwinn Town & Country or Columbia.

Other than that, you've outlined all the other "usual" ways of finding one of these gems, e.g., garage sales, penny-saver newspapers, wanted-to-buy ads, etc... Buying long distance would of course be cost prohibitive as shipping an older coaster brake tandem isn't cheap: they're heavy and don't exactly fold-up.

publius

yeah, I really want a 70s style cruiser... I'm stalking ebay and craigslist and hopefully I'll come across what I'm looking for.

TandemGeek

If you are really targeting a particular brand or model you might want to post a "wanted to buy" notice at https://www.tandemmag.com/classified It's free and tends to draw a very tandem-oriented audience.

You might also want to subscribe and post a notice to the Tandem@Hobbes listserve, which has something closer to 1,500 readers. More info on that here: https://www.thetandemlink.com/hobbes.html

publius

Thanks for the tip - I did both!

tandemonium

I have a 1970 Schwinn Twinn that I may part with. It was rebuilt by the LBS and needs no work. It is a mobile social event.

publius

I emailed you back a bit ago....

publius

Thanks to everyone who responded and emailed with bikes for sale and suggestions. I found exactly what I was looking for when someone emailed me with a tip of a Schwinn Twinn sitting in someone's yard east of Columbus. I went out there this morning and struck a deal with the owner for $40. I've already stripped it all down and I think it will be great fun once it's cleaned up and redone. I'm sure I'll have some pics when it's all said and done with.