Tandem Cycling - 2002 RT3000 vs 2005 RT1000

I have the opportunity to buy a 2002 Cannondale RT3000 for $1600.00. This has been upgraded to disc brakes already and is in excellent condition. From what I can tell by Cannondale's website is that these are very similar to the 2005 RT1000 but with better componentry. I know the new RT1000 run about $2200.00 but with the component group on the RT3000 and the $600.00 savings, the RT3000 is very appealling. For a 1st time purchase of a real tandem and not knowing how my better half will enjoy riding, I am thinking the RT3000 will be better especially if it doesn't work out and ends up needing to be sold. Or do I forget about the Cannondale and look at the Burley Ruba?

Thanks for your thoughts and input!

I am thinking the RT3000 will be better especially if it doesn't work out and ends up needing to be sold.

If the RT3000 is in good shape and has been well-cared for it would be my choice as that's a great price. RT3000 was a ~$3,200 machine when it was new with some really nice components. While the '05 RT1000 is a great value at ~$2,200, there were a few component substitutions made to bring down the cost: the frames are identical. Also, as you note, if the tandem thing doesn't work out and with a little patience you would most likely be able to recoup 100% ofyour expense on the RT3000.

Burley's Rumba, while a great value for an entry level tandem, is a different animal than both of these other tandems. Test rides, as always, would be encouraged.

Put the savings in your pocket. That's my advice (but I am a cheapskate). IMHO, like many other good things in life (wine, motorcycles, and fast cars) unless you are a connoisseur, you will not know the difference.

First time tandem teams like my girl friend and I have so much to learn, the differences in hardware really make up a very small part of the equation!

The whole thing about splitting hairs as to which bike has this and that component or frame material is not that relevant to a new team! We ride a low-end entry level tandem and do just fine with it. And since you stated that your ‘better half’ may not take to riding, the less expensive bike would seem to be the better option.

If you and your mate were high-category racing cyclists or both seasoned tourists with a zillion miles under your single bikes, it would make more sense to jump into a tandem further up the scale.

Thanks for your thoughts and input!

Do not want to comment on the difference in the bikes as to me they both seem ideal, but the 2002 does make more sense if it does come about that it will be sold on.

I took up Tandems 4 years ago, and I can assure you that it is a big step. I even bought the tandem without a partner as the One I bought it for could not get on with it. Mind you my current pilot and I are now an accomplished team, and prefer Tandems and only go on solos when forced to.

I bought a Dale MT2000 and this did need a lot of upgrades to bring it to the stage it is now. Better brakes, better wheels, better components, better forks. and these have cost a fair amount of money. Mind you in small stages so not a major argument with the bank manager.

So two ways of looking at it. Buy the 2002 bike amd hope that it will be up to your standards of components, which it should be, or get the 2005 and replace parts with a higher quality as they wear out. Then there is the burley option which will cost less, but will you be happy with it. Whichever way you go, it will be a big investment so toss a coin or go with your heart.

Used, not abused, upgrades, save $600 . . . sounds like a deal!

I did it!!! I bought my first real tandem. Thanks to those who replied, I decided to go with the 2002 RT3000 and is it gorgeous!!

Didn't have the disc upgrade, it was really a drum rear brake. Specs are as shown here (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/02/cusa/model-2RT3.html) with a few exceptions.

Aria Drum brake
Campagnolo Carbon Fiber Rear seat post
Stoker Drop Bars
Terry seats front and rear

Bottom line $1100.00 US

Fantastic...what a beautiful bike.

Bottom line $1100.00 US

Killer deal... Well done.

Oh my gosh ... $1100 for that bike!!??!! That is a WOW deal/steal ... good for you! What size is it? Why couldn't I have run into that deal about 2 months ago. ;)

Way to go! :D

Now you can take that tandem vacation...or do a ralley...

Nice deal!

What size is it?

Size is L/S, I am 5'10" and my stoker (hopefully) is 5'4". Once I got it home and did some tweaking it started raining on us but we couldn't wait. Maiden voyage was 12 miles in the pouring rain. We had so much fun, it was like being a kid again. Now we just need to make some tweaks and adjustments and get it dialed in before we try any real long rides.

A few changes I want to make are:

Thudbuster post for the stoker.
Longer stem with higher rise for me on the front (am I right assuming I don't want as an aggressive riding position as my half bike?)
Rear rack (are there tandem specific racks or are all rack create the same?)
New brake pads (any suggestions?)
Input on installing my SPD pedals (probably not a good idea at first until we get comfortable with it)

Any other thoughts as to where I might put my extra savings into the bike to make it more enjoyable?

.

I don't know about wanting a more "passive" riding position than a road bike. I've only been tandeming several weeks, and I'm running aerobars and TT'ing my butt off already. Stomping the roadies when I can. But that's how I rode for the last ten years every day, so it would have been a big change not to do so. I haven't really found that aero bars are much of a challenge, so long as the stoker understands she can't be itching her behind when I'm in the aeros. And I did put a Reynolds fork onn teh bike: coldn't stand the handling of the stock steel fork on my Cdale. She likes the agressive riding style as much as I do....

I have almost identical positions on my racing single and tandem - as stretched out as I can get. If you are just going to noodle around, than I could see a more upright position.

Off-road/touring pedals/shoes are a good idea as they have better grip on the ground than road racing shoes - helps holding everything up!

Racks are the same for singles and tandems.