Bassmanbob

I have been cycling for four and a half years, and my wife would like to start riding more too. I'd love to get a tandem for us, and she is definitely willing to get started with that too. I figure our progression would be trying (renting) one at a LBS (even if it doesn't fit us perfectly) just to see how it goes. Then we would purchase a used tandem for our next step. I've looked on Ebay for tandems, but almost none appear to be an appropriate size for us.

I'm 5' 5.5" with a pants inseam of 29" and my wife is 5' 4". I typically ride a 50- 52cm bike. I called Santana, but they told me I'd need a custom bike made by them if I wanted to get one of their new bikes. I'm not ready to buy new, but that discussion caused me to wonder how many tandems are there for a short couple like us?

Where is the best place to find used tandems? Is Ebay the choice? My local Craigslist is really limited to bikes in general. Even Miami (2 hours from us) is limited as to tandem availability.

Your thoughts and replies are appreciated.

L134 

DKMcK 

Try these websites:
https://tandemclub.org/classifieds/browse-ads/
Tandem Bicycles For Sale, Tandem Bike Components For Sale

OneIsAllYouNeed

You're right that there haven't been many tandems made for short captains. You'll need to ensure that you can straddle the top tube without interference. Don't worry too much about the top tube length. If the reach is too long, you can use a shorter stem or switch to flat handlebars.

You might consider a KHS Alite 17 x 15 or a Trek T900 18 x 14. Both are entry level tandems, but they were pretty well thought out. There may be some new ones to be had, but it's been a few years since either was made. You'd also fit a Co-Motion Periscope or a Bike Friday Family tandem.

In all cases, you'll likely need to use a two- or three-part stoker stem to reach around the captain's saddle. You may have to get creative with stoker handlebar options, too.

joelcool

Looking for a used tandem can take a long time. I spent about 1.5 years searching CL daily. When I found the right one I jumped on it... like an hour after he posted it. For every 500 single used bicycles for sale there will be 1 tandem. Multiply that out by how many tandems are built to fit you and have the specs you require, and you can see that it will take time. So patience is your friend, but have your money ready for when the right one pops up! You may need to expand your search and be ready to travel.

Alcanbrad

Alcanbrad

Bassmanbob

Thanks, everyone. I'll start looking.

Darth Lefty 

Carbonfiberboy 

We're also a short team and we had very specific desires for a used tandem. I looked for 2 years, have had the perfect bike for 11 years now.

StephenH

Several years ago, when I bought my CoMotion, there was a $500 upcharge for "custom geometry". I didn't go that route, but the thing was, they don't necessarily make up the bikes beforehand, so you're not looking at that much extra to move into some custom geometry.
The CoMotion Periscope covers an unusually wide range of sizes. It's aimed at families with growing kids, and might or might not be helpful in your case.
I understand that some of the older tandems had shorter rear cockpits, if that would help any.
My tandem is a CoMotion Primera. This is described as "semi compact geometry", meaning the top tubes are lower and seatpost is longer than "regular". Anyway, that makes it easier to straddle the bike than it would be on a non-compact frame. Of course, that doesn't help with reach.
Recumbent tandems aren't too common, but MAY take the height issue out of the equation. They should be more common in Florida than in hillier country.
If you're looking at smaller frame sizes, it might be worthwhile to explore smaller wheel sizes also (say, 26" instead of 700)- I'd suggest to talk to somebody very familiar with that- specifically, the builders or the tandem shops.
My opinion: If you're sure you want one, and plan to put a lot of miles on it, go for "conventional" tandem, and bite the bullet to get a frame located or made to fit you.
If you're not too serious, just plan to ride around the neighborhood, etc., then look more towards the Periscope, the Bike Friday, and stuff like that.

PoeCo

We can definitely relate to your search for a small tandem. "Small" tandems typically aren't all that small because they seem to primarily be built for a captain that's at least 5'8" (or so). The stoker position seems to be a little easier to fit. I captain our tandems (I'm just shy of 5'4") and the stoker is 5'1". We looked for awhile, but ultimately gave up trying to find a used one that would work. Had we had more patience to wait years, possibly something may have come up, but we ultimately ended up going for a custom. We tried a rental Co-Motion in Denver that we were told would likely fit, but it did not. I could stand over it, but the top tube was just way too long for me to effectively pilot the bike.

The suggestions that have been made thus far are good ones to look for a used tandem, but know that finding one that will fit may take quite a long time, if it pops up at all. One other suggestion I'd offer is to try Rodriguez Bikes. They make custom tandems, but because they specialize in fitting smaller riders, they may know of or have in the shop a used tandem that they are selling (they're in Seattle, so shipping would probably be a fairly sizable cost if you're not able to pick it up). You may be able to check their website too, but I'd call as it may not be something they list on their used bikes page.

Good luck with your search! We haven't been riding tandem too long, but have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Chancy

Bassmanbob,,

I have ridden with a couple that the captain was about your height and the stoker was probably 5' 2"ish. They rode an older small Santana and it fit them well. The captain's seat tube length of an older small Santana is 50.5 mm with a stand over height of 72 mm (see Gear-To-Go Tandem Bicycles for specs on older Santanas). If your pants inseam is 29"if should be able to stand over this bike. Notice the lowered top tube of this picture.

Tailwinds,
Charlie

Random Tandem

In order to find a low cost tandem that will fit my kids, I have found that MTB tandems without suspension (often made in the 1990's) are often very short. In the northwest, I often see Yokota Twin Peaks, which were made pretty small, and run 26" wheels. I have adapted a Miyata Duplicross (also 26" wheels) by adding drop bars, which works well for me and my son who is now 12 and just shy of 5' tall. When I was looking I set up a craigslist alert for the cities within a 3 hour drive from my home, and always be the first to respond to interesting posts. Good luck.

sch

About a year ago there was a similar thread. I will repost one of my answers, dunnoh if these are still available but
they have popped up on the Hobbes Tandem list off and on over the last 5 yrs. Taliani tandems were premo in their day
which likely dates to 12-18yrs ago for these tandems. The post from Oct 28, 2017:

"The Lightspeed tandems in Indiana were just reposted today:

{Anita iamcatfan@gmail.com via hobbes.ucsd.edu
11:41 AM (1 hour ago)
Reply
to Multiple
Hi All,


Looking to rehome a pair of Litespeed Taliani titanium tandems. One is a
small small and the other is a medium small. They have been stored.
Absolutely no shipping, pick-up in Northern Indiana. I can give you
aproximate heights for pilots, but don't want to drag the bikes out of
storage for measuring. . Send me a
message if interested. "

xlbs

KHS offers a number of inexpensive but well built tandems, and they offer smaller frames too.

https://khsbicycles.com/08_tandem_series_a.htm