Circe Helios Family Tandem - totally adpatable for growing families - likes touring too!
The Circe Helios Tandem is perhaps the most adaptable bicycle there is. It was designed with families in mind. But not all families are the same or do the smae things - and families grow too! That's why the Helios tandem is produced in a range of 6 different bikes with various different 'add-ons' that mean you can adapt the bike on a daily basis for different daily tasks or you can adapt the bike as your family grows or as the changing seasons dictate what sort of riding you do.
What can it do?
We have simplified the various situations the Helios tandem can adapt to here:
1/ two adults can ride the Helios as a regular tandem and carry 2 rear panniers and two front panniers (racks and low riders not included)
2/ one adult and one child riding as a stoker can travel. There is still space for two rear panniers and even front Panniers.
3/ One adult pilots the tandem and the rear stoker is replaced by the rear cargo rack which can carry either 4 panniers, upto two child seats or one child seat and 2 panniers.
4/ One adult pilots, one child rides as the stoker and fitted to a rear rack mounting child seat a toddler can also be transported - a '3-up' urban taxi!
The Circe Tandem is much shorter than the regular large wheeled tandems that you may have seen. The small wheels do not hold the tandem back either. Small wheels are better at bearing heavy loads than larger wheels and as such you will get long life from the wheels whether you are touring commuting, being the family taxi, shopping or all of these! The diagram below shows the helios compared to a regular large wheeled bicycle.
Specification for all bikes
Click here to download the specifications for all 6 Circe Helios Tandems - all bikes are listed side by side so that components can be compared. (opens in a new window). Please note that pedals are not included with any Circe model. - we have suitable pedals on our 'contact points' page.
Fitting child seats
It is possible to fit upto two child seats on the rear cargo rack. This comes standard with the 'Brut' model but is available seperately for those purchasing one of the other models.
Touring
Whether you are touring iin the UK or flying with your Helios tandem it's all possible thanks to the clever size of the bike. Fully assembled it is not much bigger than a regular wheeled road bike - remove the rear seatpost and it's no lnger a tandem - handy when travelling with fussy rail companies! For those flying by simply removing front wheel, bars and seatposts (all quick release) you can get a packdown size of about 1800 x 600mm - perfect to fit in a bike box.
The tandem is great for adults or adults and children touring - who says you cant tour with kids! Two panniers on a rear pannier rack and two lowriders on the front - is ample for a credit card style tour of virtually anywhere!
Accessories
Stoker kits, Rear Cargo Carriers, child seat fitting brackets and pannier supports are all available to purchase seperately as your family grows, flies the nest or gets more adventurous!
These are available on our shop page.
Size & fit
The Helios will suit adults upto about 6' 2" and children as small as you are happy to ride as a stoker. Toddlers will love riding in a child seat in a 3-up configuration!
NEW! Circe Morpheus Recumbent Tandem
The Morpheus borrows a great deal from the Helios but the main departure is that the stoker is at the front (!) and on a recumbent seat. The Pilot seat is a conventional bike saddle at the rear!
Like the Helios, the Morpheus may have one seat (the front one) quickly removed and replaced with a front load carrying platform (due 2013). This makes the Morpheus a superb family tandem for the school run, shopping trip and even touring. The load carrying platform can also have a child seat attached (coming 2013). The recumbent seat is particularly ideal for children, older people, people with reduced mobility or people with disabilities. The transmission allows for the Stoker to freewheel meaning that tired kids can just hitch a ride and let mum or dad do the hard work!
ORDERING
We have a Circe Helios tandem (Omnis 8 model) and Morpheus (Omnis 11) here for you to test ride.
All Helios bikes are built to order so there is usually a 2-3 week wait for bulding, and delivery. Contact us for a delivery ETA if you are on a tight schedule.
Links to reviews
CTC Cycle Magazine review June/July 2010
Cycle Active Magazine review Sept 2010
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR CIRCE ONLINE!