Can You Ride Tandem?

[Cyclezee]

Following on from this thread http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/introduce-yourself/11328-ezee-kit-tandem.html#post136631 in the Introduce Yourself section,

Kenny has found really good deal for a tandem which I thought should be posted in this section, the Viking Aviemore Viking Aviemore 2012 Tandem Bike 20" 18" Cheapest Bikes UK | Cheapest Bikes UK looks like a bargain to me, I am almost tempted to buy one, but my wife would never get on it

 

[Kudoscycles]

Am off to China next week attending several shows including the Shanghai Cycle Show....there are often some amazing looking e-tandems,am tempted to do a deal to bring back a few electric tandems but I wonder whether there is any interest?
Is anybody interested in an electric tandem?
Dave
KudosCycles

 

[catsnapper]

I am almost tempted to buy one, but my wife would never get on it

My wife can't ride a bike, but she loves riding our tandems, one e-tandem, one human powered only

The rear BPM motor on the e-tandem has now been replaced with a front Ezee motor. The basket houses a Ping battery, the bottle battery gives some extra capacity for flat road cruising on a long run.
Unfortunately the Raven tandem (M/S) is a bit too big for my wife and we're going to have to sell the frame for something more suitable.

Alan

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Alan,

Just suggested the idea to my wife and was met with laughter, hoots of derision and her memories of the old PG Tips ad.
Looks like it is going to be a hard sell

 

[catsnapper]

My wife likes the idea of enjoying the scenery without having to worry about steering, while getting some exercise. Also the excuse of buying tandem riding outfits for the different seasons - not that any dedicated cyclist would recognise them as cycling outfits.....

Alan

 

[timidtom]

We rode tandems for years, our last one was a Viking Tarantino, which was a basic model but well constructed. What we would need now would be a step-over frame and perfromance to match a basic ebike - 15mph & range about 30 miles. Oh, and batteries costing under £300 !
Prpbably like hunting the Easter Bunny ...
Tom

 

[Kudoscycles]

Timidtom....I think that the tandems I had in mind would satisfy the Easter Bunny,they were all mainly step through frame,the range of 30 miles should be ok with a 10Ah LifePo4 battery,replacement battery cost would be maximum £260.00,maybe less.
I suspect that the cost of the bike would be between £1200-£1500,is that reasonable?
Dave
KudosCycles

 

[Kenny]

I'd be interested, but whether I'd be allowed to add to my already large stable is doubtfull.

A lot of the cheaper tandems seem to have very small frame sizes. One of the things that appeal to me about the Viking Aviemore tandem is the more normal frame size of 20" front, 18"rear making it ideal for your average 5' 8" rider.

 

[Shannock]

Hi Folks,

Alans Thorn is a well built touring tandem, it seems a shame to have to sell it. Ours is the next model up with S&S couplings ( see earlier picture) and slightly longer, so fitting the kit was a bit more involved.

From what I remember £800-£1000 could get you a reasonable tandem, as I said to " timidtom" ATB type forks may be better to fit a motor.

Alan,on tour my wife can often doze on the back but still keeps pedalling. (clever Lady).

Pete

 

[catsnapper]

Hi Folks,

Alans Thorn is a well built touring tandem, it seems a shame to have to sell it. Ours is the next model up with S&S couplings ( see earlier picture) and slightly longer, so fitting the kit was a bit more involved.
Alan,on tour my wife can often doze on the back but still keeps pedalling. (clever Lady).

Pete

Hi Pete,

I'm hoping we can manage to alter the layout a bit to sort the problem. It's the latest 4A frame, selling it would mean taking quite a big financial hit.

How much do you use the motor? I'm interested in your experience with it as we've only used ours for a few months on fairly short trips. I've got much the same intermittent medical condition, hence the interest.

I think my wife occasionally 'forgets' to pedal, the toeclips take her feet round, so it's not obvious

Alan

 

[Shannock]

We are new to this ourselves Alan and for the time being it is used for assitance up hills and for touring, pulling a trailer so there is quite a lot of weight involved but with judicious use I believe its going to be a big help.

On our Dawes, to lower the saddle more,I changed the seat post for an old fashioned straight one and fitted an old type clamp which can be reversed to lower the saddle a bit more, it can be a bit fiddly tightening the bolt but it has made the saddle height more comfortable. Don't give up on the Thorn although they are pricey they are a nice tandem.

Pete