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Frequently Asked
Questions Regarding Multi-Seat Tandems
Short
Attention Span Edition (Humor)
1. How Come You Don't See
Many Triplets, Quads or Quints?
They're expensive
and they require a close-knit family that enjoys being together
and having fun.
2. Why Not Buy
A Second Tandem?
Undermines the
whole idea behind the tandem; many riding together as one.
3. What Are
Some of the Logistical Issues?
They're long, heavy
and take up a lot of space in the home, they're awkward to haul
around on top of a small car and they cost a fortune to ship
via air freight.
4. Who Builds
Tandems With 3 or More Seats?
Far more builders
than you suspect.
5. Do I Need
To Go Through A Tandem Dealer?
Not if you can
afford to make some mistakes.
6. How Do You
Determine The Right Number of Seats?
Count how many
people sit around the dinner table each night.
7. What's the
Best Material For A Multi-Seat Tandem Frame?
The one you can
afford.
8. How Do You
Size The Rider Compartments?
You don't, the
builder will do it for you.
9. How Does
The Captain Control The Bike?
He pays attention
to what his tandem dealer tells him and then follows those instructions
religiously.
10. Do They
Require A Special Fork?
Yes, and if you're
lucky yours will just happen to come with one.
11. Do They
Require Special Wheels?
Yes, but since
no one makes special wheels you do the next best thing; you use
the strongest 700c or 26" wheels available.
12. Do Triplets,
Quads and Quints Require Special Brakes?
Yes, but they don't
make those either so once again you do the next best thing; you
use the strongest rim brakes you can find and fit an Arai drum
brake to the bike configured for use as a drag brake.
13. What About
Gearing & Crank Phase?
What about it?
Ask you dealer.
14. What About
Frame Couplers & Convertible Tandems?
If you got the
moolah, get the couplers. It will make life a lot easier and
in some cases $2,300 for couplers is a lot less than $35,000
for a Suburban.
15. Any Special
Recommendations Regarding Paint & Finish?
Yes, be tasteful.
Nobody likes an ugly tandem.
16. Are There
Any Special Accessories That Are Unique To Multi-Seat Tandems?
Intercoms, gear
position indicators, diaper bags, and more handlebar attachments
than you can believe.
17. How Much
Money Are We Talking About And What About Re-Sale?
$2k can get you
into an entry level "family tandem", but expect to
shell out at least $5k for a premium triplet. As for resale value,
never enough.
18. Are Multi-Seat
Tandems More Difficult or Expensive To Maintain?
Yes.
19. Do You Find
That You Attract A Lot Of Attention On A Multi-Seater?
Yes, but we're
not talking babe magnet here.
20. How Do We
Know If A Multi-Seater Will Be Right For Us?
If you've read
this far you've probably got a hook in your mouth and your dealer
or builder is poised to reel you in.
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