Could an electric tandem be the right bike for you? Find out why e-tandems and multi-seaters aren’t as niche as you might think

We’ve all seen tandems out there. Perhaps you’ve even seen an electric version, or the even rarer multi-seater and/or an electric variant of one. Compared to standard bicycles made for one, tandems and multi-seaters are an unusual sight, which might suggest they are only there to serve a niche – but once you realise the huge variety of multi-seat designs out there, then add in the advantages of electric assist, you may discover their potential applications are far more than you imagined.

So much so in fact, we’ve broadened the remit of this article to include electric ‘multi seaters’. As you’ll see, quite a few of these designs are close cousins of e-tandems, so deserve a place at the tandem table too.

In putting together this list of e-tandem positives (and a few negatives) I’ve relied partly on my own experience as a leisure rider of a Circe Morpheus tandem fitted with a Heinzmann electric assist kit – but mainly on the invaluable advice of someone with far more experience than me, tandem expert Ruth Hargreaves of JD Tandems in Gargrave, North Yorkshire.

Hill climbing help is extra important

I’d preface all the following reasons for thinking about e-tandems by saying that the hill climbing-boosting abilities of electric assist are extra beneficial on tandems and multi-seaters. Why? Because it’s harder to cycle a tandem uphill unaided than regular two wheelers, all other things being equal.

There are multiple reasons for this, such as the greater ability to move your body weight over the pedals on a ‘single’, and the possible need to synchronise pedalling on a tandem (though the latter is not necessary on all designs). Rather than blind you with science, I’ll just say I know the huge difference it made to hill climbing by adding electric assist to my Circe Morpheus. In short, hilly rides we wouldn’t have contemplated previously we are now happy to take on.

Ruth echoes my comments: “Couples who go electric assist often ride in hilly areas and go further, and ride more regularly. We often find when tandem riders switch to electric assist, they cover a lot more miles and are fitter than before making the switch.”

She also says two thirds of her customers choose to go electric assist rather than unassisted. OK, electric assist in itself is not a reason for choosing tandems, but if you are drawn to advantages of tandem or multi-seat riding for other reasons, then the addition of electric assist will have even greater benefits than it does when added to a single seater bike.

E-tandems: the great equaliser for couples

Ruth sees a lot of couples at her showroom: “It’s all too common to see couples on solo bikes, or ‘half bikes’ as we like to call them, cycling 50 yards apart.

“The increased use of e-bikes alone doesn’t always resolve this issue, as often the e-bike rider is faster up the hills than the person on the none-electric assist one. And the rider on the analogue bike is often faster on the flat, especially if a fit rider who can easily pedal above the 15.5mph cut-off speed of an e-bike.”

Another reason for couples choosing tandems, their speed-equalling credentials aside, is their sociability. You don’t have to ride side-by-side for a chat, or stop when you need to communicate something clearly.

For couples looking to dip their toes in the e-tandem world, I noted a very reasonable £3,600 price tag on this Orbit Velocity model using the well-regarded Shimano Steps E6100 assist system.  It comes in an acceptable 26.8kg (less than quite a few single seater e-bikes) and a drop bar version is available too. If you want more accessible step-thru sit-up-and-beg type models, JD Tandems also stock the Dutch brand Staerk, though you’ll need deep pockets to afford one.

The ultimate family bike?

Want to go on the school run or a family ride? You might be considering kiddie-trailer hauling or some kind of electric cargo-cum-kiddie-hauler but don’t dismiss tandems and multi-seaters as they can be highly utilitarian e-bikes. They can be especially handy if the kids are too big for the standard type seat attachments or even trailers, but too little to keep up with the adults on their own bikes or e-bikes. Pre-teens may be able to manage as the ‘stoker’ (rear rider) on an e-tandem if the seat tube is short enough even though they need a child sized or very small sized solo. And some models allow for both adult sized and child sized riders as the rear stoker with so-called double-drilled cranks (ie if needed they can sit higher up the bike for kids).

Perhaps the ultimate family bike is the Circe Modular system based on the Helios tandem – the bike that can grow with your family! Cambridge-based Circe have developed retrofittable modules – for both multiple large and small riders and even cargo configurations to suit a range of needs – all, while maintaining the option to return to the original tandem at any point, using their own coupling system.

Unlike transporting kids using trailers, child seats or Bakfiets-type load carriers, electric tandems let them participate in the journey and learn cycling skills at the same time, which has to be a big plus.

It’s also worth bearing in mind the single front seat tandem design as a family option, with the smaller rider on the front – though most of these, from the likes of Hase and Circe to name two, can accommodate adult riders on the front too. This design is especially useful, as it gives both riders a good, clear view of the road ahead.

Get out and about, whatever your ability

Electric tandems and multi-seaters are a great resource for a whole spectrum of less able riders, right through from those whose pedal action is simply starting to weaken, to those more severe physiological problems. The key thing is that they allow a less able rider to participate because, as Ruth points out, ‘the stoker, does not even need to be able to ride a bike, as the ‘captain’ does all the balance and control.’

A well established set of tandem and e-tandem users are the blind and visually impaired, who usually ride as ‘stokers’ at the rear with a sighted rider as ‘captain’ at the front, providing steering. There is a surprisingly wide-range of options, as inclusive cycling specialist Van Raam point out – including easy access low step models and even electric assist trike tandems.

E-tandems and multi-seats for disabled riders is really a subject in itself. I’d advise getting in touch with specialists such as Get Cycling, who cover all manner of cycling solutions including handcycles, special adaptions, and bikes capable of transporting wheelchair users. At their York base, they have the UK’s biggest range of specialist demo cycles.

Go further, faster

Ruth notes: “E-tandems come in all shapes and sizes, and just like solo bikes there are tandems for all types of uses. We have models suitable for touring, mountain biking, leisure riding and road cycling.”

But touring in particular stands out as one of the e-tandem’s real benefits. It’s one of the most efficient designs out there. Two adults can go faster than one on a solo bike – you have around double the power and weight isn’t quite doubled whilst most helpful of all is that wind resistance stays almost the same. That’s a big speed advantage downhill, on the flat, or into a headwind. And of course, when you hit a hill it’s time for the motor power to kick in. With that extra speed and efficiency, e-tandems are ideal for touring, meaning long days in the saddle and lots of ground covered without the need to carry extra cumbersome large capacity batteries.

JD Tandems suggest the Orbit Lightning for touring, which features a Bosch Performance Line CX motor, 48 spoke wheels, rear pannier rack as standard, broad gear range, and battery options from 545wh to 1050wh. Ruth says: “Teams using the 1050wh battery option could realistically cover 100 miles per day depending of course on the power settings used, terrain, wind speed, elevation and rider weight.”

Recumbents are recognised as being comfortable, fast and efficient on the flat and over moderate terrain, but unassisted, rather like tandems can struggle on hills. So perhaps your ultimate touring machine would be the Azub Twin, pictured above, also packing plenty of power in the form of Bosch’s Performance Line CX mid-drive motor system.

You just want a fun experience

I’ve left one of the best arguments until last just in case you still needed convincing. I look forward to riding the Morpheus simply because it’s fun and different, and involves learning new but not radically different skills compared to riding regular bikes and e-bikes.

I also enjoy the extra conviviality and speed on the flat but there’s also just an indefinable fun factor about doing something a bit different on our Morpheus leisure rides.

If you fancy a different experience there are all kinds of variants of e-tandems and electric multi-seaters out there for you to take your pick from – I even tracked down a couple of off-road capable e-tandems. Moustache’s 27×2 VTT uses the trusty Bosch Performance Line system whilst Campmajo’s Gurugu has full suspension. But the list of designs goes on and on and it’s quite easy to disappear down an electric tandem rabbit hole researching things on the internet.

Get two bikes in one

It’s worth noting that some e-tandem designs can double as cargo bikes due to some nifty inbuilt conversion techniques and Circe are masters in this field.

The Circe Morpheus’s front seat removes easily and a bespoke flatbed luggage rack can be fitted. Their modular system also has the ability to become a load carrier with the addition of a cargo box to replace some of the rear seats.

Are there downsides?

Of course, there are some unavoidable downsides to tandem riding, the most obvious being they don’t allow for independent cycling. That said, some are deliberately designed to be ridden as ‘solos’ too, most notably the Hase Pino which boasts an ingenious  frame-telescoping mechanism that makes it possible to shorten the wheelbase to that of a normal city bike.

The other big potential issue is that storage and transport of such big and heavy bikes is undeniable, but may not be the obstacle that you imagined. For example, Orbit’s 2026 tandem will include a bike with S&S couplings, allowing it to be split into two. It’s an intriguing machine, able to run up to 1600wh batteries with the frame being made in the UK from Reynolds tubing. The initial sample features some British made components, such as Hope hydraulic brakes, a USE suspension seat post and flex handlebar stem.

So, while e-tandems and multi-seaters might remain a niche in the e-bike world, I hope this shows it’s a niche full of many more possibilities than you might have imagined.