Kent Dual Drive Tandem Comfort Bike
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List Price: Our Price: $267.93 You Save: $42.06 (14%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Sports See more product details |
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Description of Kent Dual Drive Tandem Comfort Bike
The Kent Dual Drive 21 Speed Tandem Bicycle offers high quality construction at a reasonable price. This durable tandem bike is comfortable and stylish, with a pair of soft gel saddles and extra-wide, bump-gobbling 2.1-inch tires. The components, meanwhile, are built for long-lasting use, including the 21-speed Shimano drive train, Revo twist shifters, and reliable alloy linear pull V brakes. Best of all, the frame features low stand-over heights (29 inches in the front and 20 inches in back), making it easy for both riders to hop on. Also equipped with a pair of water bottle holders and a heavy-duty kickstand, the tandem bike is perfect for people who want to spend a little quality time with a spouse or good friend. Kent's dual drive tandem bike features soft gel saddles, extra-wide tires, and an easy-access frame for a comfortable ride for two. |
Key Features:
- Shimano drivetrain
- Revo twist shifters
- Linear pull brakes
- Lightweight alloy wheels
- 2.1-inch wide tires
- Easy-access frame with low stand over heights (29" in front, 20" in back)
- Comfortable gel seats
| Manufacturer's Warranty Lifetime warranty on the frame and fork ASSEMBLED BIKE | |||||
| HB | HBG | TT | SO | WW | IW |
| 25.5/24 | 39 | 21 | 29/20 | 94 | 53.5 |
| CARTON | ||||||||||
| GW | CTN WT | L | W | H | ||||||
| 66.5 | 13 | 78 | 7.5 | 27 | ||||||
Sports reviews of Kent Dual Drive Tandem Comfort Bike
Customer Review: Fun Bike! A few negatives but a lot more positives
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I missed a gold box sale on this bike for $199 but picked it up for $219 a week or so later (with free shipping) which is a bargain either way you look at it. Shipping was fast and delivered right to the door. It's a large box so be prepared.
Assembly was relatively easy - can't comment on the instructions because never even needed to read them. Basically had to install one tire, handle bars, both seats, brakes, pedals, and bottle racks. The shifting mechanism and back tires came pre-assembled which took most of the real work out of the assembly.
The look of the bike is actually very attractive especially compared to most tandem bikes which tend to be very linear and bulky looking. This is much smoother with great lines. The silver fades into a gun-metal grey with a few red accents and black grips, seats, tires, bottles etc... Overall a very pleasing appearance albeit a bit retro.
Shifters are in the handle and smooth enough. One handle does the big shifting and the other handle fine tunes the shifting. The brakes are sufficient but NOT disc brakes but rather those little "v" brakes. Tires are large enough to give a smooth ride and in fact, was surprisingly easy to handle and navigate. You won't be taking quick turns with this as the bike is loooooong but then again, it's not really designed with racing in mind.
Negatives: first, the hand grips. The rubberized hand grips have wedges that tend to become uncomfortable on long rides but that is a minor issue. The seats - this is really a personal preference. I find the seats to be one of the most uncomfortable bike seats I've ever encountered - absolutely intolerable. Spouse finds them great and one of the most comfortable ever. It seems to be how your personal backside is built but for sure - you will love or hate the seats. There doesn't seem to be much in-between. Finally, the front seat and rail tend to be a bit tall for women or those on the short side.
Positives. Smooth ride - much smoother than expected. Both spouse and self have tried other tandems in the past that were hard to get started, difficult to navigate, bumpy and lacked speeds. All of those were non-issues. This tandem was very easy to get started. One false start out of the drive way and then no further issues. Easy steering, very nice ride. We took it out Xmas eve when the streets were quiet and empty to give it a good first ride with the intent to just go around the block. Ended up taking it for a couple mile ride to see the Xmas lights as it was so easy to drive. Great cruiser. Can actually reach a decent speed but be sure to have plenty of braking space and don't take tight corners at the high speeds. All in all, a lot of fun for a couple with a terrific price.
Update: We have now owned this bike for over a 18 months and continue to enjoy it immensely. Have experienced zero problems. It is stored in the garage and still works just like new. Very smooth ride, no irritating rattles, no rust, no problem of any type. Just a great bike at a great price. The bike remains very attractive and constantly gets a lot of response when out and about riding - people want to know where to find one and of course, kids want to try it any chance they get! As a comparison, about six months ago picked up a single person bike at Walmart that is also stored in the garage but creaks and moans like I've owned it for a decade or more. While this is not a professional quality or expensive bike...it is much better quality than most entry level bikes being sold out there today and holds up well over time. Still extremely pleased with this purchase. Smooth ride, great look, holds up well over time.
Customer Review: Excellent value tandem bike
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
Agree with most of the positive reviews:
PROS
1. Quick shipping (Amazon Prime).
2. Heavy duty frame.
3. Mostly decent components.
4. Easy access (low stand over height) for rear rider.
5. Easy assembly. Mostly assembled except for front wheel, seats, handlebar and pedals.
6. Fun and easy to ride. You do have to coordinate starts and stops, but everything else is very similar to a regular bike.
7. Allows you to share the fun of bicycling with persons that have trouble riding a regular bike.
8. Excellent value! $250 with free shipping.
CONS
1. Missing a few parts: seat post, stem for rear handlebar, front reflector mount. Carrier (FedEx) apparently opened the box to find something (the bike frame) to hold on. Box did not have carrying handles/holes for carrier to easily transport the heavy (about 7o pounds) box.
2. Bike is heavy due to steel construction.
3. Grip shifter was poor quality. Would skip and did not reach all gear combinations even with adjustment (recommend replacing with Shimano ST-EF50 Altus Shift and Brake Lever Set (7-Speed, Silver) for $25 or similar. Front derailleur mounting location may need adjustment to accommodate)
Handles are very stiff and uncomfortable even for short rides (use gloves or replace with softer handles).
4. Taller riders, or those with long legs may have difficulty in the rear riding position. Had to position handlebar and stem at highest position and forward to keep knees from hitting handlebar. Feels a little bit cramped, but tolerable.
5. Requires a lot more effort going up inclines, even gentle ones.
Recommended modifications/accessories
1. Replace handle/grips.
2. Replace shifters.
3. Put slime in inner tubes.
3. Replace seats (or wear padded shorts)
4. mirrors/bell
5. Bike carrier: Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25-Inch Receiver). Easily modifiable to hold this tandem: extend frame with 1 inch steel square tubing. Mount one of the pieces that holds the tires perpendicularly. Front wheel of tandem will be turned 90 degrees when in the carrier. Tandem on carrier will be wider than width of car, but mounting way will decrease the overhang by about a foot. Total cost of modificaiton: about $20. Write a comment if you want more details/pictures on this modification.
Customer Review: Great Bike for the Money
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
We ordered the Kent Tandem on a Friday, and had it in our hands by Tuesday. Unlike other reviewers -- few in number -- we found no problems in shipping. In fact, having read the (very few) negative reviews, I had my eyes wide open when unpacking the bike to see if I could understand what had happened to those who say the bike was delivered damaged.
The front wheel comes strapped to the front fork, and I believe that if you were not careful removing the bike from the box (it's best, by the way, to just take a carpet knife and cut the box away at the edges, not trying to lift the bike out of an open box), you could very likely bend or even break a spoke. I couldn't understand the (again, very few) negative reviews that said the bike had come with a bent WHEEL. I believe FedEx would have to drop the box down a flight of stairs to do that kind of damage!
Neither the front nor rear tire comes inflated. It is important, before inflating, to make sure the tire valve is center in the rim's valve hole, and that the tube and tire's rim are securely inside the wheel rim. I could see how you could easily cause a blowout if you were not careful taking these steps.
It's also important to fill the tires to the prescribed pressure. You should have a pump that has a pressure gauge built into it. The prescribed range is between 30-50 psi. I filled our tires to about 48 psi, and it is a very comfortable ride.
There is one slight (and I emphasize the word slight) engineering problem: the bike has a "U" shaped guard to protect the rear shifting mechanism, and you must take care to put this guard on. But the bolts that were supplied are about 1/8 inch too long for the chassis, and this originally caused some shifting issues. I took care of this by just putting a couple of penny washers on the outside of the guard. If anyone from Kent is reading this, take a look at this very minor problem.
All in all, my wife and I have already enjoyed some very comfortable and relaxing rides, and plan on spending the rest of the summer, and well into the fall, biking places to which we would previously have driven. We're going out to dinner this week on our Kent Tandem.
This product is a GREAT buy.
Customer Review: Can't beat it for the price!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I agree with many of the other positive reviews...:
1) The style is unique and interesting. Silver & Black w/splashes of Red is eye-catching.
2) The large tires give a comfortable ride. White-walls give it a "retro" look, too.
3) Operation is smooth and quiet. I thought the extra chain/cranks and bulk would make it creak or rattle.
4) It has great shock-absorbing seats...by La-Z-Boy, no less!
5) The drive train components are good quality. Shifting is accurate.
6) Most important, the brakes in conjunction with the larger tires have excellent stopping power.
...And some of the negative comments...:
1) Welds are complete and adequate, though sloppy. A minor detraction you have to look closely to see.
2) It's not meant to race despite 21-gears: the weight, tires and posture are designed for leisurely cruising.
3) It's LONG! I couldn't fit it in my SUV without the rear hatch ajar. It needs quick release hubs!
4) Curved frame makes mounting a pump awkward.
5) Many have mentioned shipping damage and mine was no exception. This is probably due to its cumbersome size.
6) Customer service has been mentioned by others to be great. I haven't gotten a response after a week and a half...and the receptionist has changed to an answering machine. This could be either from faltering service or bike popularity overwhelming their service capacity.
...But for the price, beginners like myself could not find a better deal, not even second-hand! I wanted to kindle my joy of bicycling in my wife, who has very little time for exercise. I don't think she ever felt completely confident in her ability to control the bike. Now she can get the exercise, the freedom and exhilaration of the outdoors and forget about shifting, steering, braking and, to some extent, balancing. I can have help peddling (sometimes!?) and we both get to share the experience.
So if your interested in all the benefits of tandem biking and need a bike to start you off, you can't go wrong with this one. I've given it 5 stars, not for its being the epitome of the tandem genre, but for its outstanding value.
Customer Review: good value for the money
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I ordered the bicycle on Sunday the 7th of Sept. 2008 and it was delivered on Tuesday the 9th of Sept. As expected the box was long and difficult for one person to move around but I got it into the garage and opened the box. It was as promised silver in color and as someone else had posted very much free from any grease or oil. I am somewhat mechanical minded so I simply set the instructions aside and proceeded to assemble the bike at about 3:45 P.M. at about 4:30 P.M. we took it on its maiden ride for about 10 miles. With the exception of having to make some adjustment on the shifting mechanism and the brakes the bicycle is as promised. As others have said the seats are not anything to write home about so after about the first couple of miles we rode by our house and took our fat seats off of our other bicycles and put them on the tandem which greatly eased the tension on the old senior citizen rear ends. The original seats say they are Lazy Boys on the side of the seats, they are a far cry from what us old folks would consider Lazy Boy's but that really isn't that big of a deal considering Wal Mart and Target have good old fat seats for around $20.00 each. I have no hesitation giving this product a five star rating and have to question why anyone would give it a lesser rating unless they just like to complain about anything and everything. This is the real deal if you can handle an allen wrench and a crescent wrench.