Newbie - what do you call the adapter for kids in the stoker position?
 

Hi,

We had a bargain basement tandem that I bought on Craigslist last year and fixed it up. Well it got stolen in a move. I have started to look for another one. I just need something for family short rides like at the beach or down to the 711.

I found someone selling a Trek Trico tandem for $200 that was supposed to have been very little. I wanted to stay under this price range for the tandem. The only problem is that it has a 53cm down tube in the stoker position. I always rode with my kids on the back. That height is too high for them. I am considering purchasing it, but I would have to get one of those adapters that allow kids to ride in the stoker position. What are they called and how much do they typically cost. I don't need the best, I just need something that will work. Links to these would be helpful as well.

BTW, any idea if the tandem is priced well? The owner says they bought it in a silent auction, and it was new, but never rode it much.

Thanks

Rod

They have several names, e.g., Kid back conversion, kiddie cranks, etc...

More info here: http://www.precisiontandems.com/artkidbackinstall.htm

$200 for the Trek would be a good deal IF it fits. Not sure where the seller picked up on the name Trico for that tandem, as it's a Trek T100 Double Track from the early to mid '90s.

Kidbacks can be pricey, even used; the diameter of the rear seat tube also comes into play . . . it's not 'one size fits all'.
Have you considered making a pair of pedal blocks? You can then attach toeclips to the blocks.
Kids do grow taller . . . f-a-s-t!
200 bucks is a good price for used tandem IF it's a Trek. However the name Trico does put that fact into question.

Child stoker kit
 

"Child stoker kit" is the official name of the assembly that allows an extra crank to be installed for the child. If adding this and handle-bar extensions and so forth, brand new parts will easily exceed the cost of the tandem itself. Evaluate the usefulness of putting this on the bicycle carefully and try to anticipate the use you will get out of it.

I would tend to push you into waiting for a deal on a bike similar to the one that was stolen, that you were able to use without the kit. You will likely find this to be a more economical option and one that you know already has worked with your family in the past.

That said, I put a child stoker kit on my triplet and find that it was well worth the money that I put into it, but YMMV.
Enjoy your family rides now while you can. Kids grow up fast.

Thank you all for your advice. Didn't realize the cost would be so high. I do need the versatility of a shorter frame for the stoker. I have a 15 year old son that can't ride a bicycle due to balance issues. The tandem was originally bought for him to go on neighborhood rides with the rest of the kids. My youngest is 6. Everyone's advice made me realize that with the size range of my kids, that the kidkit would just not be practical. I am going to hold out for something along the lines of what I had as someone had suggested.

BTW, the link for the Trek in the above quote is the tandem I was interested in.

Cheers

Rod

Great deal for the Trek if you can get it.

Alternatively, if it's already taken, Amazon.com does have some inexpensive new imported tandem bikes available for the price range you're looking for that are well suited for riding with kids (some have free shipping!). I have the Pacific Dualie and kids love riding on it. I was considering getting the Kent Grand Concord for use as a second tandem.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...7&rnid=3405071

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Dualie...0728161&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Grand-Con...0728161&sr=1-2

.

Have a friend who has a used child stoker kit that came off a Trek T-200, so it will definitely fit the T-100 tubing. He wants $100 for it. Here's a link:

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bik/1481273072.html