Tips on Buying Tandems, Double, Triple, Quad, Mountain or Road
A tandem bike is not just a two-seater. Tandems come in many different forms including stretch triples and quads, perfect for fun family rides or competition bike racing.
Think of a tandem and an image of a two-seater bicycle springs to mind. They are far more popular than might be imagined and couples love them as it means they can both ride a bike together rather than one speeding out in front and the other lagging behind.
But tandems are not just for couples. There are also three- and four-seater tandems, mountain bike specific tandems and newer variations with recumbent seats. This article reveals just how many options there are and offers some tips for anyone considering buying a tandem bike.
Twin or Double Tandems
The classic tandem is built for two people and offers a whole lot of fun for both recreational riders and for serious cycling couples who want to spend time on a bike together. The person riding in front, known as the captain, is most often the man for physiological reasons; the captain has to be strong enough to take the weight of his partner (the stoker) when starting and stopping and also must have the strength to maneuver a longer and heavier bicycle frame.
Most tandems are set up so that both riders must pedal or coast simultaneously; while one may be stronger than the other, good teamwork and practice usually results in a good compromise between speed and overall riding efficiency. Twin tandems can also be modified to have independent drive-trains, allowing one rider to pedal faster than the other, but the cost is greater.
Tandem Cycling on Triple and Quad Stretch Tandems
Once the bug for tandem cycling has taken hold, many riders want to try something a little different. The whole family can ride together on a triple or quadruple stretch tandem and these bikes are also used for serious competition. They are far trickier to get used to due to their awkward size and additional weight but families with young children can opt for special toddler seat attachments, use special crank shorteners or simply put a child bike seat at the rear.
The decision to buy a triple seater tandem bike should not, however, be taken lightly:
- The captain must be strong enough to cope with the additional weight and awkward size.
- Any children on board must be mature enough to listen to instructions and not lean over causing the tandem to crash.
- A good quality three-seater tandem costs over $6,000; expensive but family safety should come first.
Tandem Wheels
Tandem bikes come with either 26-inch standard mountain bike size wheels or 700 cc road specific wheels. Unless the tandem is going to be used for road racing, most people choose the 26-inch wheel option as tires can then be changed to suit conditions; use slicks, for example on the road and change to hybrid or mountain bike tires for off road trails.
Tandem Frame Sizes
When buying a tandem, it’s important to get the right size for the captain who must be able to stand over the frame with plenty of clearance for perfect balance on start-up. Size for the stoker is less important as they will be seated most of the time; a short person can therefore easily ride tandem with a taller partner.
How Much Does a Tandem Cost?
Tandems can be custom made and many are built to order but there are also good manufacturers producing factory made tandems. Prices start from around $1,000 for a reasonable quality twin tandem from a company like Dawes. Better quality road and mountain bike tandems from brands like Cannondale are in the region of $4,000.
Ellsworth produces an all mountain tandem bicycle with frame only prices from $3,125 but for ultimate quality and market experience, Santana is the choice for tandem enthusiasts. A top of the range carbon quadruple tandem from Santana will set you back almost $30,000 while their entry level twin tandems start from just over $5,000.
Buy a Tandem Cycle
While prices and options can be viewed online, it is always best to visit a specialist tandem cycle store for precise bike fitting. Beginners can test ride a tandem bike to see whether it is suitable and get valuable advice from store staff who are almost always tandem enthusiasts.