I'd posted a lot of my suggestions here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...hlight=kidback

Bacisally, it is great to ride a tandem with your kid, but it has to be FUN. It becomes not about the riding, but about the whole experience. You have to have a destination, like an ice cream store. The rides will be shorter. And slower.

I like the tandem because of the control thing: I know my kid may not always hold a line and be safe in traffic - so if we are on the tandem, I control that and I feel safer.

The trail a bike became VERY unstable and difficult to turn and maneuver after Em got bigger. The tandem is not too much different than a "real" bike - though it is a bit more difficult.

Check out Sheldon's site and my post and if you have specific questions, put them up. Good luck! Have fun!!