CCC Bike of the Month: A mysterious tandem

community cycling center

This is a monthly feature to remind you that when you buy a used bike from the Community Cycling Center’s retail shop (1700 NE Alberta) you are not just getting a cool bike, you’re also helping fund their amazing education programs for low-income youth and adults.


A custom Lippy tandem, on sale now at the CCC for $1,250.
(All photos courtesy CCC)

[The following was written by Breesa Culver of the CCC.]

The origins of this custom-built Lippy tandem are shrouded in mystery. We’ve only heard unverified rumors of its provenance. We’re not sure how this statuesque tandem fell into our possession but now we’re offering it to you just in time for the NW Tandem Rally.

David Kuch, Production Manager at the Community Cycling Center, says that it, “almost looks organic it’s so beautifully wrought.”

Its impeccable workmanship includes tubes that “flow” into one another.

For sizing perspective, this person is 5 ft., 9 in.

Built for a tall couple, the captain seat’s stand over height is 88cm and the stoker seat’s stand over height is 84cm. It is a light weight, high performance class bicycle featuring DeoreXT derailleurs, Phil Wood sealed bearing hubs, and Shimano XTX cantilever brakes. It also has touring range gearing: a 7-speed rear cluster and triple crank set.

Hubs by Phil Wood.

The custom paint job extends to the matching Silca pump.

What tall, graceful couple owned this gorgeous tandem? The only hints we have are the personalized top tubes that read, “Joei” and “Loren.”

Easily worth upwards of $3,000, we’re offering this gorgeous tandem for $1,250.

If you have any questions, please call the shop at 503-287-8786.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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Bdan
Bdan
16 years ago

Saw this yesterday and have never wanted a tandem so bad! The bike is absolutely striking! Good biking juju to the final buyer/s.

Jeremy
Jeremy
16 years ago

Mr. Libby, the maker of Libby tandems was my middle school science teacher. He used to talk about how he started making bikes in his free time and now years later, I have seen three in the last month.

Jeremy
Jeremy
16 years ago

Correction, *Lippy not Libby*

Andre
Andre
16 years ago

I think I get what they are trying to go for in the tone of that article, but it just comes off as if they are speaking coyly about it being stolen.

Pat Lippy
Pat Lippy
16 years ago

My husband is Keith Lippy. He is the builder of the \”mysterious tandem:. It looks like the original paint job. Keith did his own paint jobs. If we have the frame number we might be able to give some data on when it was built. Thanks for the great comments. Keith has always been a meticulous craftsman.

bigB
bigB
16 years ago

They\’ve had the bike hanging in the back for years, I think that is why it is mysterious. Because no-one still works there from when it came int.

Fred
Fred
16 years ago

Beautiful bike! I have a Lippy frame I use for my commuter/rain bike. It\’s gorgeous and a lovely ride. Pat, if I send a picture of it and can find an s/n of some sort, could I get more info about it? Is it true that Keith was a builder for Masi-California years ago? He is certainly an amazing craftsman.

Breesa
16 years ago

Thanks for the positive comments! It really is so gorgeous — the photos do not do it justice. Pat, the number noted as the serial on the inventory tag is L287.

David Feldman
David Feldman
16 years ago

The bike was built @1990-1992. The original owner\’s name is Loren Erickson.
I used to work on it for him from time to time at the Bike Gallery.
I would have to hope that a bike that was once so treasured by its owner reached the CCC through legitimate channels.

Karen
Karen
16 years ago

Hello, Just came upon your post googling. I have a lippy which was custom made for a racer in Colorado.It was built in the early 1980s. Would love to learn more about the bike and the history of the builder.Any info is appreciated.

DEIDRA
16 years ago

i am trying to reach keith lippy, a grade school [first boy] friend. ANY help is greatly appreciated.
deidra C.

Brent
Brent
15 years ago

Karen,
I think that you have the bike that I sold to you via another rider in 1980

Dale
Dale
15 years ago

I have a Keith Lippy custom made road frame of 1977 vintage. I ordered it when I was a student at the University of California, San Diego and Keith was associated with a local bike shop in La Jolla. At the time Keith lived in the area and I believe he had just ended his employment with the Masi bicycle factory in Carlsbad, California. Financially purchasing this custom made frame was a very extravagant for me being a college student, and I have never regretted buying it. I can say that of all the mechanical “things” I have owned this bike frame has been the best purchase I’ve ever made. The ride of this bike is far superior to any other frame I’ve tried, and I am sure I’ll have this bike for the rest of my life. I attribute the quality of my bike to Keith’s ability to understand the needs of his customers, his expertise in frame design and his high quality craftsmanship in manufacturing.

Duncan
Duncan
15 years ago

now if only I had a partner… That thing looks like a clipper ship with wheels.

Dennis Wainwright
Dennis Wainwright
10 years ago

I too have a Lippy tandem , and just recently thought about selling it, mine is an Estacy in pearl white(original paint ) I am 6’2 and my wife is 5’6 . If anyone is interested it is really prettier than any pic can show.

jackL
jackL
8 years ago

We rode with Loren and Joei. Good times.