Pacific Dualie
 

Quick question. I know that this is a junk bike -- a $200 tandem sold at department stores, but I might be able to pick up a like new used one for $50.00.

My expectation is to get a bike that my wife and I can cruise around a little bit to see if we like riding together. The bike I may use for this purpose is an old 1 speed cruiser tandem that I will need to do a full tear down and rebuild. I got that bike for free from a neighbor.

The PACIFIC DUALIE would be less up front work for me and at least has gears and rim brakes front and back. I don't have the cash to get a good used tandem at this point (missed out on a great Cannondale last fall due to lack of funds) and just looking to get my feet wet.

I'm not familiar with the Pacific Dualie - but I am sure it is like most $200 tandems. This (and others – I am sure) forum is filled with opinions about starting on a good bike versus the department store special.

My wife and I started on a $50 used 5 speed tandem from the 70s. We rode it for a summer and upgraded to a Burley, which has been great for us. Like you, at the time it was all we could afford. Without question, the Burley is more fun, safer, and makes life on the bike much better for both of us.

I think that starting on a clunker is better then not starting at all - provided you can separate the problems of riding a tandem from the problems of riding a cheap tandem. If you (or your wife) don’t like the saddle, position, ride, comfort, handling or ergonomics of riding the tandem - I think you could safely chalk it up to the cheap bike.

If, however, you or your wife don’t like the loss of control the stoker has, can’t agree on cadence, don’t like to hear "he/she isn’t pedaling" every time you ride by a group of well meaning folks, or any of the other reasons why tandems aren’t for everyone - then you are ahead of the game - because those issues have little to do with the bike. In our situation, everything that my wife doesn’t like about riding the tandem is under my (the captain’s) control (speed, tempo, butt-breaks, etc)

Good luck!

+1 on fvalenti remarks.

For $50, that is about the cost to rent a tandem for a day or two. You can't beat the cost of the Pacific if it helps you decide you like it or not. Sounds like a very inexpensive way to explore a healthy activity for you and your wife.

Thanks. I think I am going to try to get the bike. It is an auction so it could go above $50.00, but that is going to be my self imposed limit. I figure at that price if we hate it I should be able to get my money back by putting it up on Craigslist.

Agree with the above statements.
For 50 bucks, it would be worth a try. Just don't plan to sink more $$ into it after you buy it.
And if you get it and ride it, be aware that not al tandems are built that poorly!

Its funny because we started out with the non-bike related problems mentioned and much more. After one season tho, we both learned to work together and now I cant get my wife into the captains seat anymore. She loves to sit back there and lay off the pedaling where I cant see her :D

It was rough for the first month or so, but after we settled in we both are much happier that we went with the tandem instead of the separate bikes.

If youre like us, youre not made of money.
We got a lower end tandem, but good quality tandem and paid about $650, and after riding it I just dont see us ever wanting anything else. Its very comfortable, great for casual cruising.
If you can save up but dont want to spend $2000, the diamondback wildwood is a very nice option.
The parts are all very good quality from what Ive seen from ours. Its not built for speed or anything either, but if thats not your goal then youd be fine.

Laura and I love the bike...


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...y4321/3333.jpg

How did you get your wife to take the captain’s seat in the first place? lol. I guess I am too fat for that option. Although - after I dumped the rig a second time getting used to clipless pedals (this time in a very public spot, full of people) I thought that I was certainly getting a demotion. I wasn’t sure that she would actually captain - but I thought I might be replaced...