How do you travel with a tandem in your van?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 9, 2010 at 9:19am

I use a cheapo Performance branded bike rack for two bikes. It's a trunk rack, since that provides most flexibility. We don't own a car, so every time we rent, we get a different car. Trunks racks are the best solution for that situation.
I've never carried another bike besides the tandem.
About the only tricky part is that you need to pay attention to centering it in the middle of the car, so that it sticks out evenly on both sides.

Sorry, no pictures.

jamimaria said:

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:

http://www.sandsmachine.com/

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.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 9, 2010 at 10:30am

And I wish I'd had some dimensions to work with when commenting. I'd personally rather err on the side of caution when looking to buy a tandem whose dimensions I don't know.

Or drive out to the seller's house and give it a test fit.

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:

http://www.sandsmachine.com/

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.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alice on June 9, 2010 at 10:41am

Sorry for joining the conversation late. Hubby and I have a Co-Motion tandem. Yakima makes a roof rack specifically for tandems and it works great. You basically take the front tire off and lock the fork in to a mechanism that swings out the side of the car. You swing the bike up, lock the swinging arm, strap 'er down and you're good to go. The rack is removed from the car when not in use. Our bike also has couplers and before we got the roof rack we'd hang half of it from our hitch mount rack. I loved the looks we'd get driving down the highway. I've also read that most tandems will fit into mini-vans with seats removed. We weren't about to buy a minivan just to haul a tandem, so went with the roof rack.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on June 9, 2010 at 10:46am

Thanks,
that's the one! If you don't mind me asking, How much did you pay for yours at performance? Does it matter about frame size or not really?

Duppie said:

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?

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page