Originally Posted by since6

We have family who live in Tours France with young grandchildren who are avid bike riders. But the thought of boxing our tandem, shipping it with our flight, and then getting it from the airport to the train at Charles DeGaul Airport, and knowing it may pose a problem to fit on the train (too long) and then hoping someone has a big enough minivan to get it to our children's home, too much.

So instead discussing this with friends in our bike club an idea, why not buy a used tandem in France and keep it at their home. This way our kids would have a tandem to ride with their children (we rented them a tandem in America and they loved it) and then when we come to visit we have a tandem to ride and use to explore. The stokers are different in height, but that's what adjustable stoker stems and seat posts are about, so it would seem that we should be able to swap a few things and have the tandem work for either stoker, but....

How do you go about finding and purchasing a used tandem in Tours France and what brands are available there that have a good reputation for their materials and construction? Any suggestions, ideas where to look are most welcome.