Eddie50

Hello, first time posting here so I hope that this question hasn't been asked a million times (probably).

Here is my story, I am visually impared (limited vision) and I was riding mountain bikes before my illness, but now my interest is more in road bikes, and I have a lot of friends that rides singles bikes.

This will be my first tandem, and I want something good, I just dont know enough about bikes and tandem to take a decision.

What is available to me here are cannondale or trek bikes, but mostly cannondale.
Here are the choices
New 2005 cannondale road tandem 3100$
Used 98 cannondale rt3000, the guy is asking for 3k
New 2003 RT3000, 3500$
I have seen the 2005 and like it, it has disk brakes (I think its a good thing)? feels light and strong.
The used 98 is said to have hydraulic brakes? supposed to be in exellent shape.
Its hard for me to try them because they are rare aroud here and I have to find someone to ride with me since I cannot be the one in front.

Any good model in thoses? any other suggestions? any tips would be greatly apprediated!

Thanks

phinney

Your local prices seem high. If you get a Cannondale (don't know about the Trek) they are readily available so a trip down the East Coast might save a few dollars. You might want to get the sizing right locally and then contact other dealers to check availability and pricing.

We have a 2004 Cannondale and are very happy with it. The disk brakes work well though I don't know if traditional brakes wouldn't work just as good.

halfspeed

Are those prices in Canadian or US dollars?

Eddie50

Prices are in Canadian dollars, sorry.

Yeah, seems a bit expensive to me too but since those bikes are rare around here, I guess they can ask more for it.

I dont know what they go for in the states, because it would be a possibility to order one from a shop near the east coast and save some bucks.
Or can they even be ordered online?

Thanks

TandemGeek

In general, the Cannondale's represent an excellent value. The '98 for $3k (Can) seems way too high and there's no way a 2003 is worth more than the 2005.

I would recommend giving Mel Kornbluh a call or Email at Tandems East to see what he might be able to do for you, if only as a point of comparison on what type of a price you could come up with on a cross border purchase. Their Web site is www.TandemsEast.com and his Email is TandemWiz@aol.com.

He's been a C'dale dealer for a long time and usually offers his bikes for very reasonable prices, better than you'll find most anywhere else.

zonatandem

Mel also carries several other brands . . . . great guy to deal with!

shnapper

I'm more concerned on what your vision is limited to before you get on the road with a tandem and a stoker at stake?

You mentioned limited vision, what exactly does that mean?

Just concerned and curious................

TandemGeek

If you re-read Eddie50's note you'll find the answer to your question...

"Its hard for me to try them because they are rare aroud here and I have to find someone to ride with me since I cannot be the one in front.""

Eddie50

Thanks for the help and the link to tandemeast

I didn't know that so many companies and models existed, now Im even more confused lol

Ill send an email to Mel and see if it would be better to buy from there.

And yes, no chance Ill be the one in frot of the tandem, can't see enough, otherwise Id be riding a single road bike.