TandemDelMar

Has anyone on this forum ever ordered a Tanem from Paketa Cycles? Would greatly appreciate any feedback on these guys.

Thanks !!

merlinextraligh

there are a couple of threads on here regarding Paketas that you can look up. there are a couple of Paketa owners that have posted, not sure many of them are too active on this forum lately.

waynesulak

I don't like the built in forum search feature.

Google search for Paketa within the forum with:

"Paketa" site:bikeforums.net/tandem-cycling/

merlinextraligh

Here's one thread that has a lot of Paketa info: https://www.bikeforums.net/tandem-cyc...stiffness.html

colotandem

We currently own a Paketa and have been very happy with the bike and have nothing but good things to say about the experiences that we have had with Paketa.

Note this is our third road tandem. First DaVinci, Second Calfee & Third Paketa.

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

mtseymour

You're a lucky team because the Paketa is at the same level as Calfee and Land Shark. Your choice will depend on all the fine details of a custom build (geometry, paint, disc mount, Di2 routing, etc). In general, the Paketa will be slightly lighter, while a carbon frame can accommodate unusual geometries and is easily repairable.

Artmo 

I just find it odd that they use a Russian word - Paketa, or Rakyeta in English which means rocket!

twocicle

With the forums search I almost always end up using Advanced Search, but yes, the results often are far less specific than what is desired.

Your Google site search suggestion (and possibly others) should be a sticky at the top of the Tandem Cycling topic area.

TandemDelMar

Thanks everyone Forum searches resulted in old and dated posts. I was looking for fresh info.

How long would you say is acceptable tp wait when you order a $10K Tandem?

twocicle

Hard not to get itchy right after the check clears :/ How long has it been?

TandemDelMar

Over 5 months now I have been waiting

TandemDelMar

Anybody want a 54/50 tandem? Without having to wait 6 months?

merlinextraligh

What timeframe did Paketa quote you?

Unless they told you it was going to be that long, I would be upset with 5 plus months.


As a comparison, we recently ordered a tandem from Co-Motion, were quoted 6-12 weeks, and based on their production schedule, we're likely going to get the bike around 10 weeks.

IIRC, our Calfee took about 12 weeks.

Obviously, time frames are going to vary from Company to Company, and even season to season, but I wouldn't be happy with 5 months unless forewarned.

TandemDelMar

Well it will be 6 months by the time I get it. Initially wanted it for Christmas, but knew that was a long shot though they said its possible. So I ordered. But now its March 20th and I will probably have a bike by April 20th if I am lucky.

waynesulak

What was the promised delivery date? To me that is the key issue.

DubT

It is interesting that you have evidently ordered the bike and it is taking a long time to actually receive the finished product. What do you think might happen if you have to have it repaired?

I find it interesting that when you do a general search for magnesium bicycle frames the results are very slim. It appears that Paketa might be the only one currently building frames out of magnesium. It makes one wonder.

From what I see steel, aluminum and carbon fiber are the materials of choice for the majority of builders.

Just saying.

2frmMI

Our 2013 Paketa was delivered way behind promised date. In stead of getting it at the beginning of the season, we got it at the end. I don't quite know how angry to be about that. They are a very small volume builder, way smaller than Co-M or Calfee. Maybe it is part of the charm. In the end, the bike is phenomenal, climbs like a goat.

B. Carfree

I appreciate that it is frustrating to wait for a bike. However, I'm sure we all want the bikes we order to be as close to perfect as possible when they arrive and small builders are going to sometimes have inexplicable delays. It's all part of the process of getting that great ride that a custom tandem gives. I advise against poisoning your thoughts towards the bike just because there has been a three or four month delay.

merlinextraligh

I'm not sure how custom your typical Paketa is, or whether the OP spec'd anything custom about their's.

IIRC, your typical Paketa is built to a standard size and geometry. (Of course I can't confirm that, given their website is currently down, which seems a bit weird.)

So they're more build to order as opposed to truly custom.


As a customer, I'd be ok with the bike taking 6 months or more, if they told me up front that was the expected wait, and they promptly updated me if there was an unexpected delay.

Long, unexpected, non disclosed, delays are a good way for a small builder to become even smaller.

Leisesturm

This is anecdotal, and also third hand, but, as I understand it, the wait for a "Vanilla Bike" is measured in years. So there is some perspective for the o.p. Seems to add to the allure. Go figure.

tkramer

I thought I'd chime in here. I have a Paketa and it did take nearly5 months from initial contact to order to delivery. This was for an off the rack frame. It was a "blem" unit that was out of spec for the original paralympic team that had ordered it. The only customization was minor, it had to be modified to accommodate hydraulic disc brakes.

Paketa is a one man shop. JP is the man and I don't believe he has any helpers or employees. He also builds all of the Mg frames for Zinn. I don't know how much of his production output is for Zinn.

I have met JP and visited his shop a couple years before ordering the bike. In fact the frame I'm riding was hanging on his wall as a sample for visitors to handle and get a feel for the weight. I would characterize him as eccentric - you would have to be to take up working with magnesium as a frame material. I also believe him to be a perfectionist with all that entails both positive and negative.

The delays were frustrating and Nick, the point of contact, would occasionally let his own frustration with JP emerge towards the end. Ultimately, we absolutely love the bike and have ridden it 6,800 miles since April 2015. The ride quality of the magnesium really is noticeable. It's like taking the best qualities of all the common materials, steel, CF, Ti, Aluminum and putting them into one.

One last note. We did a 10 day self guided supported tour of Oregon's Willamette Valley and Mt. Hood last Summer. On our first day getting ready in Portland, the chain master link wasn't properly engaged after I assembled the bike. Gliding along the river path, it broke and the chain killed the rear derailleur and bent the hanger back a good 45 degrees. The bike was dead! After a desperate call to JP for a replacement hanger, and a walk across the bridge to River City Bicycles for their last Di2 derailleur, we only missed a day of our itinerary. JP went out of his way to get the part sent over night. It was late in the day and Friday of the July 4th weekend.

twocicle

Interesting story. Idea for future such broken RD/hanger... turn your tandem into a "fixy" single speed. We always carry a mini chain breaker which allows for onsite chain repair. Simply wrap your chain around one of the chainrings (preferably the middle) and one of the rear cogs (again, middle) and avoid the RD altogether. Set your chain length to snug fit, install the "master link", and then DO NOT USE THE FD. With this configuration you should be able to self rescue and avoid the walk of shame. Caveat, if you do try to use the FD, it is possible you will then be looking for another new part.

tkramer

Yes. I've actually done this before on more than one occasion for myself and others. A chain breaker is de rigueur. It wouldn't have been advisable in this instance because less than 2/3 of the dropout face was available for the axle and skewer nut to bite down on. The hangar tab opened up the dropout slot as it bent back. The city of Portland is one of the better places to find yourself with a broken bike.

TandemDelMar

Well I think you should give a realistic date to a perspective customer. Amd not be off by three months. I do regret the order. And still waiting Christmas gone, valentine gone, wife's birthday gone and now spring areived I live in San Diego

mtseymour

Is this your first tandem? The reason I ask is that there's always a break-in period where you dial-in the fit and make minor equipment changes (eg. stem length). Hope it arrives soon for you to enjoy the summer.