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How do you travel with a tandem in your van?

I'm looking to buy a tandem bike. I have hitch for my bike rack, But don't know how to take a tandem bike when we travel to WI, Mich, etc.. So if you could please tell me how can I bring my tandem bike. I don't know were to put this bike .

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 8, 2010 at 9:13pm
Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 8, 2010 at 9:39pm
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.
Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 8, 2010 at 10:18pm
This is the mfg. Micargi. made in china like everything else.


Duppie said:
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.
Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 8, 2010 at 10:20pm
The frame size is 19'' . Would that be big enough for us?

buddaa38 said:
This is the mfg. Micargi. made in china like everything else.


Duppie said:
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 8, 2010 at 10:20pm
1. I hope that's true.

2. I really couldn't see a tandem fitting in Tony's van even with the wheels off and both back seats out.

Duppie said:
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.
Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 8, 2010 at 10:20pm
Also tires are 26x2.01.

buddaa38 said:
The frame size is 19'' . Would that be big enough for us?

buddaa38 said:
This is the mfg. Micargi. made in china like everything else.


Duppie said:
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.
Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 8, 2010 at 10:32pm
Ryan,
You don't think that would fit in my van?

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
1. I hope that's true.

2. I really couldn't see a tandem fitting in Tony's van even with the wheels off and both back seats out.

Duppie said:
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 8, 2010 at 10:37pm
Tandems are a little long. Take off the wheels and throw it in to see.

buddaa38 said:
Ryan,
You don't think that would fit in my van?

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
1. I hope that's true.

2. I really couldn't see a tandem fitting in Tony's van even with the wheels off and both back seats out.

Duppie said:
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.
Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 8, 2010 at 10:50pm
What do you think about this kind of bike ? Is it a decent bike or cheap?
Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 9, 2010 at 8:58am
Tony,
The tandem is about $310 new online That makes it department store territory. The frame is made from Hi-Ten steel and the components are low quality or heavy. That is not necessarily a bad thing. It all depends on your intended use.
What do you plan to use it for? For Critical Mass and riding down LFP this tandem is plenty good. Day rides might work to, but less so. I would not recommend this for multiday rides, given the low quality components.

If you buy it online and have it shipped to you, you need to be prepared to do some work (truing wheels, adjusting brakes and derailleurs, etc).

If you are buying it on CL (it is this bike, isn't it?) I wouldn't hurry. There are always plenty of tandems like this one for sale on CL. In fact, this tandem might be worth looking into. Obviously a lot older, but similar price and from a reputable tandem manufacturer.


Again, a lot depends on the intended use.

If you want to talk some more give me a call sometime.

buddaa38 said:
What do you think about this kind of bike ? Is it a decent bike or cheap?
Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 9, 2010 at 9:03am
Ryan,
Do you have any experience with carrying tandems, or are you just posting for posting's sake?
1. I have repeatedly carried our own tandem on the back of our car. IT DOES FIT.
2. I have ridden in Tony's van. It's your typical soccer mom van. As long as he can properly fold down the chairs, the tandem will fit.

Sometimes I wish people would stick with commenting on subjects they actually know something about...



Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
1. I hope that's true.
2. I really couldn't see a tandem fitting in Tony's van even with the wheels off and both back seats out.
Duppie said:
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.
Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on June 9, 2010 at 9:10am
When you ride with your tandem on the back of your car, do you use a special bike rack? Is it the only bike you carry? Do you have any pictures?

Duppie said:
Ryan,
Do you have any experience with carrying tandems, or are you just posting for posting's sake?
1. I have repeatedly carried our own tandem on the back of our car. IT DOES FIT.
2. I have ridden in Tony's van. It's your typical soccer mom van. As long as he can properly fold down the chairs, the tandem will fit.

Sometimes I wish people would stick with commenting on subjects they actually know something about...



Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
1. I hope that's true.
2. I really couldn't see a tandem fitting in Tony's van even with the wheels off and both back seats out.
Duppie said:
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

You are aware that most tandems do need 6 couplers, making this a $1600+ option? Also, I am not sure what tandem Tony is looking for, but these couplers are typically installed at high end tandems.

There are a few options:
1. Your bike rack. If you take the wheels off, it will not stick out beside the car. I am often too lazy to take the wheels off, and even then it barely sticks out further than your average side mirror.
2. A lot of tandem owners that I talked to transport their tandem in a van. Lower the backseat and put the bike in the long way. It should fit. You may have to take the front wheel off and replace it with one of these.

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