Tandems of the forum

Ah that’s interesting. Andy isn’t a short lad. My wife is 168cm. Maybe it’ll be ok.

Do I wait around for a more modern machine that’s less steezy, or just take the plunge and go full quill stem leather saddle red wine in the bidon?

Plunge

Yeah, plunge. If tandeming works out for you then you can get something newer and better later, and if it doesn't then you might as well find out on something which has already done all the depreciating it's going to do.

Not sure I'd want to ride it for more than about 21 minutes though (can I be this skinny again please?)

Cosy

The BJ isn’t that cheap though. Might low ball and see what happens. Leave it to fate 🤞

Also need to ask my workshop colleague of he’ll mind a lump of 531 hanging from the ceiling.

It’s probably designed for a drop bar/bullhorn for the stoker. It would make the position more acceptable. But like you imply, then it’s less of a leisure ride and enjoying the view and more for speed.

designed for a drop bar/bullhorn for the stoker

Definitely this @dbr.
We have an early 90s Dawes (same vintage as 6pt's) and long bullhorns are the business.

I'm also keeping an eye out. Not sure whether to go fixed (probs not), oversized tubing (probs, for hills) MTB (could be fun) and then the rim disc or canti (we are both fairly light)- current eBay crop is pretty poor. Happy to help collection my way if it helps

According to Donald at Bob Jackson (who've recently been saved from closing down!) it's from 1987 or 88.

I thought of bullhorns, but I sit quite far back on the saddle so I suspect the backs of my thighs will bash into any forward facing bar arrangement.

@Josh012 have you been looking for a while? I've only just started. Obviously just luck of the draw but are there usually more interesting options on ebay?

I suspect the backs of my thighs will bash into any forward facing bar arrangement.

You need bullhorns wide enough to get your stoker's hands outside your thighs. Depending on how chunky you are, 46cm might be just enough.

I've been looking for about 2 years now. Bought an old steel one with cottered cranks, never managed to remove the bottom bracket and ended up freecycling it on here. Currently leaning towards the Dolan road tandem about 2k fully built, alloy frame, 105, disc brakes but obviously you could get an insane non tandem for that....

2 years! Can't be doing with that. I'm offering on this BJ.

Can you?

I don know, just a quick look and for 2K you get a something something carbon frame and ultegra.
Like this one

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOLZAPR8000/holdsworth-corsa-superlight-disc-team-edition-shimano-ultegra-road-bike

Also, how much will that be worth in 5 years?

I think 2K for a tandem is reasonable, and it will keep its value much better than a regular road bike.
So, to get to the point, I think you should buy it 😉

Top tip, get a shock post for the rear.

Any tips for a 25.4mm model? My kids are always moaning about sore bums. The boys anyway, not my daughter

Boom! Offer accepted. Bob Jackson on the way.

Offer accepted

You obviously went in too high 🙂

It was a serious low-ball, felt a bit bad, but I guess he'll be happy to get rid of it and we'll be happy to ride it.

Took yer time!

If they're willing to sell at that price then no reason to feel bad. Unless you were holding a gun to their head, they could always say no and hold out for more. It's only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.

Don't worry, hang wringing lasted all of 30 seconds. To be honest I probably paid over the odds anyway but YOLO. All the compact framed sensible looking tandems can stay on ebay, with a bit of TLC and some careful component choices this'll be a banger.

Good stuff. It looks nice. Not as nice as Cycliste's bilam Mercian tandem, of course, but still nice... ;)

Depending on how chunky you are, 46cm might be just enough.

Tried some 400mm airwings I had knocking around - long as I don’t have a phone in my pocket they’re fine! Not much room for stoker knuckles mind.

aim for this -

https://www.paulsmith.com/uk/stories/aw19/wallpaper-handmade-x-mercian