Originally Posted by
MaxCady
...if we would purchase a C'dale there, this would be the first tandem deal in the whole history of this shop!! They also could no other dealer with appropriate knowledge recommend in the region. If a rear wheel with 48 spokes is needed, our guys in the shop must replace the rims and hubs. Their problem is, what should happen with the replaced parts. They want to calculate the balance for this case.
This is truly the problem with most bike shops that are clueless when it comes to tandems and one of the biggest limiting factors in successful experiences for first-time tandem buyers. There shouldn't be a significant upcharge for 48° wheels, noting that Santana and most likely Co-Motion dealers can offer that upgrade for $50 (USD). But, and this is subjective, at about 410lbs a set of 40° wheels "should" be OK, given the quality of the parts Cannondale is using, e.g., heavy-duty Sun rims with eyelets and White Ind. hubs. That all said, and back to the real problem, if the shop doesn't even understand the specifications and warranties for the products they offer, I wouldn't expect them to have any interest in attempting to work with their European distributor to figure out how to offer their Cannondale tandems with what should be optional equipment. Worst case scenario, they should be able to buy the bike as a frame-only and build it up to suit a clients needs for a modest upcharge. But, again, this is why tandems aren't something that most bike shops want to deal with and why it is almost always worthwhile to search-out a tandem speciality dealer who is willing to work with a serious buyer with specific needs. This is probably why Santana has been so successful in Europe via export of their "authorized dealer" program and for this they do get major kudos (and reap the financial rewards of having an outstanding reputation and a large market share in Europe).
Originally Posted by
MaxCady
Another point is the warranty. I think C'dales warranty is limited to 2 years, but the guy in the shop was not quite sure.
CANNONDALE LIMITED WARRANTY:
* The specific warranty covering your Cannondale bicycle is governed by the law of the state or country in which it was purchased, and applies only to bicycles purchased from Authorized Cannondale Retailers.
* FRAMES (frame, fork structure, swing arm): Cannondale frames (except freeride, see below) are warranted by Cannondale Bicycle Corporation, 16 Trowbridge Drive, Bethel, CT 06801 against manufacturing defects in materials and/or workmanship for the lifetime of the original owner.
Originally Posted by dvs cycles
Santana warranty is lifetime.
FWIW: Like most tandem builders, Santana offers a lifetime warranty on the frame. Component and wheel warranties are as specified by the manufacturers or Santana and carry anywhere from a 12-month to 5-year warranty. The frame warranty is, like Cannondale's, only valid for the original purchaser. Co-Motion is one of the few builders whose lifetime frame warranty is transferrable and Calfee, who offers a 25-year warranty on their Tetra frames (a little less on Dragonfly) has a warranty transfer program.