Need advice for custom tandem

[azfiddle]

I don't really know anything about tandems, but we met a guy recently who builds bikes that are designed to come apart for travel. He is based in Tucson and his company is called Ravello Bikes. He does have tandems listed on his web site: http://www.ravellobikes.com/

Hope that is is helpful.

[zoom-zoom]

Ooh, what about a Co-Motion model with the "periscope" rear seat post? We have one in a size Large that fits my 6'2" hubby on the front and anyone from like 3'6" - 6'2" on the back. It's primarily our 10 year old's bike--this way we can all get out for rides together. You guys would probably want the smaller size (medium?).

This is the one we have. It can be made with couplers, too.

[Serotta Jim]

Dave Kirk made this tandem for the the wife & I. Great guy to work with, rides great and it truly is a beautiful bike. Downside - 14 month lead time and frame & fork hit 5 figures.

[Tokie]

NbyNY-the 8 ball was one we had missed - good concept for a trip when the stoker wants a day off or was injured. I've never met anyone w/ a Rodriguez

AZfiddle- Nice to recommend a local craftsman, his bikes look beautiful. I think we prefer to go w/ a builder that specializes in tandems though.

Zoom-Zoom - I have met people who love their Co-Motion tandems. The models to choose from are confusing. We like to climb alot, & wonder if weight should be something we take into consideration more.

Serrota Jim, I can't thank you enough - who knew how expensive a tandem could be! Makes other bikes seem quite inexpensive! Yours is really georgeous though - wow! I bet it is fast and fun!

I'll keep you all posted - still trying to figure if DH can retire this spring, so $ is part of the equation! Tokie

[Kiwi Stoker]

I would look at Co-motion. For a few more dollars you can get them to custom fit a frame to you.

In regards to climbing and tandems- the thing that makes the most difference is the riders. Tandems will always climb slower than single bikes. Put two fit guys on a tandem and yes they will go. Improving fitness and losing weight off the riders would be the biggest improvement to climbing.

You are going to need a triple crank for climbing. Even a compact it's not going to do it unless you are elite riders.

[zoom-zoom]

I would look at Co-motion. For a few more dollars you can get them to custom fit a frame to you.

In regards to climbing and tandems- the thing that makes the most difference is the riders. Tandems will always climb slower than single bikes. Put two fit guys on a tandem and yes they will go. Improving fitness and losing weight off the riders would be the biggest improvement to climbing.

You are going to need a triple crank for climbing. Even a compact it's not going to do it unless you are elite riders.

But you will HAUL @SS down the hills!!! I can pass my hubby and kid on uphills, but on the downhills they blow by me like I'm standing still (and my son likes to make this face: ).

[Kiwi Stoker]

Yeah, we hit 103km per hour going down a certain hill. Lots and lots of fun!

[malkin]

...who knew how expensive a tandem could be! Makes other bikes seem quite inexpensive!

When people ask, our stock answer is "We don't own a boat."

Another way to think of the expense is to compare it to other recreational vehicles.

[Tokie]

When we toured with our (ill-fitting)tandem in Alaska people in towns would pull up alongside in their cars & remark how fun our bike looked & how much did it cost? This was 1989. When we replied $1500.0, the response was inevitably quite disappointed. So I changed my response to $500.00. This answer made people very happy(they were in trucks/cars, & I doubt they were looking at the brand of the bike). We got really soaked riding into Talkeetna & passed by fishtailing oil tankers,busses & RVs gave us a few grey hairs! Tokie

[zoom-zoom]

When people ask, our stock answer is "We don't own a boat."

Another way to think of the expense is to compare it to other recreational vehicles.

Exactly. And ours don't require gas or docking fees.

[Tokie]

And you get healthy riding your tandem, whereas on a boat...isn't alot of it about drinking beer? (recent bumper sticker "give a dog a fish and he'll have dinner, teach a dog how to fish, and he'll spend all day on the boat drinking beer" or something like that) tokie