Frank in Troy, MI:
After 3 years of riding as a duo you seem to know your needs.
Suggest you 'bite the bullet' and buy the best equipped daVinci you can afford, including the upgrades you listed. Look upon the daV as 'an investment in your continued good health!'
When you get it, go do a few laps around Stoney Creek for us or go north of the Romeo area . . . believe the Slow Spokes of Macomb still do a century out there in the fall.
Todd and the gang at daV are great tandem builders.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem