Budget $2K to $3.5K what tandem would you buy?

[mtbcyclist]

Just test road a Santana Arivia SE. I really liked it and the wife loved it. I am a 12 year veteran rider of road/mountain and she has ridden a mtb bike VERY casually over the past year. She also rides my trainer in the house somewhat.

Anyways I am looking for a bike for use on road only, tandem rallys, possible centuries, and club rides. I get the impression that my wife will want to fast and "challenge" herself. I myself like speed and pushing my limits both in endurance and speed.

That being said I am looking hard at a Burley Rivazza or a Tosa. They seem to be the best bang for the buck. I like the full ultegra, disk wheel, and the wheel set on the Rivazza. I have been told that the higher end bikes (Santana, Co Motion, Calfee) are a better rides because their frames are better quality. It seems to me that the Burley is a no brainer when it comes to value especially since this will be our first tandem.

So with all that in mind what would you do?

[Clayton]

There's an abundance of good advise to be had on this forum concerning the "best" ride.

When my wife and I were hunting for a tandem, the test ride so strongly suggested by others was the most reliable measurement for making our decision. We don't know any other tandem teams in our area so the test ride and info gleaned off of this forum formed a large part of our decision making process.

We wound up purchasing a Santana Arriva SE. We like the feel of the ride and the stability. I should add that we are a large team; captians weight is 240 and stoker is 130. Even given our weight the Santana is very stable at any speed. My wife very much likes the ride.

If you can test ride other tandems, by all means do so. Then let the ride dictate your decision. You can't go wrong with a Santana, Burley, Co-Motion or any of the other well made brands, so pick the one that fits you and your stoker best. Don't be too captivated by the components on any given model, they can always be replaced/upgraded. The frame is what will dictate the ride quality.

Good luck.

[LuisB]

We also thought Burley was good choice and we've ordered a Burley Tosa about a month ago because I felt in our situation, the Tosa is the best choice. I would advice you to get going if you you ever decide on the Burley because they are running way behind on delivery, about 5 - 6 weeks the last time I checked.

[zonatandem]

Burley: 'Biggest bang for the buck' is pretty well on the money!
However, a 4 week week wait for a bike you want is not an eternity!
Some custom builders have waiting lists of 1 or more years!
Have currently 'waited' for 3 months for a proper repainting! Yes, it'll be worth it!

[velotimbe]

I would highly reccomend the Trek T2000. Just built one up this week, and I was very impressed. I used to work for a shop that dealt in Burley and Co-motion, and I would say this is on par with those, not to mention you get super nice wheels, full Ultegra, aluminium, its very light, and you could talk most shops below $3k.

[TandemGeek]

They bought the Burley...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=1121453&postcount=1