How long?
06-07-13, 04:41 PM
#1
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How long?
How long are these tandems,tire to tire?Is a mountain bike style shorter than a road style?So far no one nearby has one in stock,didn't see dimensions on bike specs.I was surprised to see I could pick up a LHS,Trek,Raleigh for only 1000.00 to 1200.00 bucks.Even more surprised actually scared to see the big box stores have them for 275.00 I'm going to try to rent one and get the bride on it for a couple of rides.It would be useless if she didn't enjoy the bike. Hmm I guess I could ask everyone's wife in my neighborhood to go riding.
06-07-13, 04:50 PM
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Chainstay Brake Mafia
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mine is taken apart right now but add about 2/3 of a bike length to a regular bike and that's about how long a tandem is
I managed to pick up a mid 90s low end tandem for $200.. it needed worked, but anything from a big box store will probably need just as much. I'm hoping with some upgrades it will be a reliable steed. Before i tore it down, I made sure my girlfriend liked riding it.. luckily she does
.. now she's bugging me to put it back together 
I managed to pick up a mid 90s low end tandem for $200.. it needed worked, but anything from a big box store will probably need just as much. I'm hoping with some upgrades it will be a reliable steed. Before i tore it down, I made sure my girlfriend liked riding it.. luckily she does
.. now she's bugging me to put it back together
Last edited by frantik; 06-07-13 at 04:55 PM.
06-07-13, 09:02 PM
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Wheelbase on tandems are measured from front dropout to rear dropout.
Most tandems measure usually from 68 to 70 inches. Add on about 27 inches with wheels on (depending on wheel size).
Our is custom and is a short 63.5 inches.
Suggest you stay away from those low-priced W-mart type tandems and buy a decent used brand instead like Trek, Raleigh, KHS, Burley, Co-Motion etc.
Remember when the bike you buy is made by the lowest bidder you are not getting a Porsche for a Pinto price.
Quality lasts . . .
Just our input/experience.
Most tandems measure usually from 68 to 70 inches. Add on about 27 inches with wheels on (depending on wheel size).
Our is custom and is a short 63.5 inches.
Suggest you stay away from those low-priced W-mart type tandems and buy a decent used brand instead like Trek, Raleigh, KHS, Burley, Co-Motion etc.
Remember when the bike you buy is made by the lowest bidder you are not getting a Porsche for a Pinto price.
Quality lasts . . .
Just our input/experience.
06-07-13, 10:52 PM
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Our T50 is about 8½' long over all, tire front tire tread to tip of rubber lip on the rear fender.
06-08-13, 10:54 AM
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I found one way to see if my wife liked riding a bike was to buy HER a bike. Cheaper than a tandem and if she will ride a single then she will make a good stoker .
If you want to go straight to a tandem then there are many quality used tandems with very low miles available for sale by those who did likewise.
If you want to go straight to a tandem then there are many quality used tandems with very low miles available for sale by those who did likewise.
06-08-13, 02:20 PM
#7
Uber Goober
Just curious why you're asking how long it is. Are you planning to put it in something? Or mail it? Or hang it up?
Anyway, my CoMotion with front wheel removed fits nicely on the diagonal in the bed of my Ranger single-cab pickup, for what that's worth. I think I eyeballed the length at a store that did stock tandems and deduced that would be the case.
If you have a particular brand of new tandem you're looking at, you might check with a local dealer or with the tandem company for that dimension. Length may vary some with frame size. I understand the older tandems tended to have shorter frames than the newer ones (which is not necessarily better!).
It's quick and easy to take the front wheel off, sort of a pain and gets your hands dirty to take the rear wheel off, by the way. At least on my CoMotion.
Anyway, my CoMotion with front wheel removed fits nicely on the diagonal in the bed of my Ranger single-cab pickup, for what that's worth. I think I eyeballed the length at a store that did stock tandems and deduced that would be the case.
If you have a particular brand of new tandem you're looking at, you might check with a local dealer or with the tandem company for that dimension. Length may vary some with frame size. I understand the older tandems tended to have shorter frames than the newer ones (which is not necessarily better!).
It's quick and easy to take the front wheel off, sort of a pain and gets your hands dirty to take the rear wheel off, by the way. At least on my CoMotion.
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06-08-13, 06:23 PM
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I wanted to make sure I didn't have to buy another vehicle to transport the beast.I may need a banner that says WIDE LOAD and a flag truck in front of me.Currently I carry my bikes inside a soccer mom mini van.My wife hates her ex car I took it just to make a bike mobile out of it.We also have a Nissan Rogue ,a rather small suv.If she goes riding with me she prefers that car.When we ride together we never start from home.Thanks for the input guys!
06-08-13, 11:57 PM
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We carry our CoMotion with a Honda Pilot on a trailer hitch bike rake. The wheels don't extend much past the mirrors. We've traveled all over the Midwest with no problems.
06-10-13, 08:39 AM
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Nigel
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We have carried our T50 on the back of our Jeep, with both wheels on. It extends a foot or so on each side - I watch it very carefully in the mirrors, especially when pulling in for fuel and parking.
06-10-13, 08:40 AM
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Nigel
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I found one way to see if my wife liked riding a bike was to buy HER a bike. Cheaper than a tandem and if she will ride a single then she will make a good stoker .
If you want to go straight to a tandem then there are many quality used tandems with very low miles available for sale by those who did likewise.
If you want to go straight to a tandem then there are many quality used tandems with very low miles available for sale by those who did likewise.
06-10-13, 08:53 AM
#12
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I put my Co-Motion in the back of my Prius with both wheels off. The Prius is 6 feet from back of the front seats with the rear seats down. The tandem goes in at an angle with the handlebars turned down in the corner. Tight fit but makes it with less than an inch to spare.
Sheldon
Sheldon
06-10-13, 09:26 AM
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I've carried my tandems up and down the east coast on using a Soft Ride hitch mount carrier on both my 2001 VW Golf TDI and my 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD. However, I hope to soon get rid of both of them and replace them with a 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter. I don't like having my bikes out in the weather and vulnerable to getting damaged on the rear or roof of the car.
