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From: jkl@asgb.UUCP (Jennifer Longstaff)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Tandems...
Message-ID: <685@asgb.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-May-85 18:37:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: asgb.685
Posted: Fri May 17 18:37:06 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 19-May-85 10:22:38 EDT
References: <6939@ucbvax.ARPA>
Organization: Burroughs Corp. ASG, Boulder Colo.
Lines: 35

> My girlfriend and I are thinking of getting a tandem. Does anybody
> out there have any information/experience with them? 

I have had my tandem for almost three years and I have decided to sell
it.  The biggest reason for me not to have a tandem is that I am lighter
than all my tandem partners and the lighter person must ride in back.  I
have found that it drives me nuts to ride in back and trust the complete
control of the bike (steering, braking, cadence) to the front rider. 
If your girlfriend will be riding on the back (which she will if she's 
lighter than you), make sure she understands this very well, or else 
she'll have a miserable time and your tandem rides will turn into big 
arguments.
>			      In particular what brands have tandem 
> models? Are they as expensive as they seem to be? (min about 1200$) 
> Is that the reason why I see so few of them around?

Tandems are definitely expensive;  but think of the work that goes into
putting together a structurally sound bicycle to hold two people yet be
as light (almost) as a single.  If you get a "clunker" (heavy, one speed)
tandem you'll spend much less.  If you want 10 speeds and a good brake
on the rear wheel drum, prepare to shell out the $.  My peugeot tandem
is about 10 years old and I expect to sell it for $800.  (any takers in
Boulder, CO?)  Maybe tandems are more expensive since there's not much 
demand for them and therefore they're not mass-produced like singles. 

I'd suggest buying a used one (look in your local want ads, or go to a
bike shop where they might be sold on consignment) and make sure you
and your girlfriend enjoy it enough before you decide to spend so much
on a new one.  And MAKE SURE the frame size is right for you: the front
must fit you and the back must fit her.  I mean the frame size itself; 
don't assume you can just raise or lower the seat to make up for the wrong
sized frame.

Jennifer Longstaff -- Burroughs Advanced Systems Group -- Boulder, CO
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