2 bikes or tandem ?

hi everybody
well, I'm going to Africa next year and it looks like my girlfriend is going to do it with me. so now .... what is better in your opinions ?
2 bikes or tandem. I never used tandem before but I met some people they love it. ... I met some people they hate it too :-)

so ? can you write me some pros and cons ?
will be great
robb

what if you separate?
I don't have experiences with a tandem either, but would always go on 2 separate bikes - except for you are planning to stay together for the rest of your life. if you know what i mean...

Andreas

Hi Andreas,
I disagree. I would recommend trying the tandem with his friend on a shorter tour of ca. 150km, then it should be quite obvious if a tandem is the thing for him.
I have two tandems (touring and race) and although my friend and I are a good team and we use the tandem for vacation as well as for getting around in town together, it is also great fun to ride with other stokers, for speed, race etc., and I do this quite often (my friend does not race).

only my 2c
Arno

Tandems can be quite interesting but you need technical and some experience before your intended Africa ride. I have a friend in Antwerp, Jean Bruyninckx E-mail : jean.bruyninckx@belgacom.net

who is very very experienced on tandems and is the chief of the Belgian Tandem Club. He knows all the ins/outs and everything you need to know on travelling on tandems. Good luck - Saad

well. the point is - she is not good biker. she doesn't have too many experiences so I think riding the tandem can help her, but .... the "fear" of being the whole way together ...

well .. it gives me a lot of concerns....

ofcourse, we will do some shorter trip together, but the point is - you have less bags if you go by tandem, tandem is more expensive so i have to buy tandem and find out it doesn't work can be painful.

i guess I will never know before i try

thanx a lot for allthe tips.
really

robb

Hi,
if your girlfriend is not strong rider the best solution is tandem.
I would help you with tandem choice if you like, 'cose of I builded already three tandems myself and have ride experience
with stocker girl

big thanks :-)
I'll be in touch if I need you

all the best

Hi!
In my opinion, the tandem would be the best solution, either. You'll never have to wait for her... 2 people - double-power, everybody can give, what he can.
But you have to learn to ride the tandem. It's a bit like driving a ship.
Ciao!
Katrin