Tandem Mountain Bikes

Buying a Tandem Mountain Bike

Over the years you have probably seen more than one tandem bike ride by, usually with a happy couple on board headed off for a nice bike ride on hot summer day. You may even know a couple or two who have "tandemitis" and go everywhere they can on their tandem. For whatever reason they seem to always be having the time of their lives and now you have caught the bug. Not only can you buy downhill mountain bikes now they make a tandem mountain bike for those who prefer to take in a little off road adventure.

There is however a few things you should know about buying a tandem mountain bike before you rush out and buy your first one. It is important to find a store that specializes in tandem bikes and mountain bike parts. Just because a store sells them does not automatically mean that they know anything about them. A good way to make a quick assessment of the store is to look around and see how many tandems they have on display. Do they have several different models and brands to choose from and does the salesman sound knowledgeable?

What Kind of Tandem Mountain Bike to Choose?

Before you pick out a tandem you need to think about the type of riding you plan to do primarily. If you plan to ride on the street then by all means buy a bike built for the street. On the other hand if you like to get muddy and go off road then a tandem mountain bike is probably more what you should be looking at.

Though you might only be thinking about short rides when you buy your tandem, it is possible that you will soon get caught up with the local tandem club and go out on long club sponsored rides. The bike you choose should take this possibility into account.

Buying a tandem is a lot like buying a car; you would not buy a car without test driving it, so why would you buy a tandem mountain bike without test driving it? You should take several different models out for a spin along with your biking partner to see which ones suits the two of you best.

This is the only way you are ever going to find out if you have found the right bike for your needs and riding style. However if this is your first tandem you might want to go out with someone from the shop who is used to riding a tandem first until you get the hang of it so no one gets hurt.

Tandem Bike Confort

Lastly you should never settle for any tandem that is not a perfect fit. Nothing can spoil what should be a pleasant bike ride for two faster than a poor fitting tandem.

You need to make sure that both the front rider and the rear rider fit comfortably on the bike. Small adjustments can be make to help with fit but if either rider feels cramped it is time to look at a different tandem.