Tandem Cycling - 1994 Cannondale Worth $900?

I've been looking to purchase a used tandem for my wife and I and came across one I really like, but I just want to make sure the price is right. It's a 1994 Cannondale Mountain tandem converted to road. It has the drop handlebars, STI shifters and has 26 inch wheels which are fairly narrow. It seems to have low miles (the odometer read 711, but I'm not sure if that's original or not), but it is VERY clean for being 11 years old. The owner of the LBS is selling it for his father and wants $900. This is a firm price he said, but it seems really fair to me. I just wanted to get some comments and feedback on the price and the bike in general. The only real reservation I have are the 26-inch tires. Anyone else purchase a tandem with 26-inch tires only to wish they had larger tires in the future? Thanks everyone.

Pictures?

- Wil

Don't have any - it's at the LBS where it's being sold out of.

It's a 1994 Cannondale Mountain tandem converted to road. ....I just wanted to get some comments and feedback on the price and the bike in general.

It's kind of hard to judge without more information regarding the components. If you could describe the components in detail, or go to the shop with a camera and take some clear pictures to post here, I bet that folks could give a lot more feedback.

-Greg

What's your alternative? If you don't buy this bike, what kind of tandem do you think you are going to find for $900.00? The only way you are ever going to spin-out those 26" wheels is by doing something that your stoker probably won't approve of anyway. Sounds like a steal to me.

If it's as clean and as low mileage as you say it is and it FITS the 2-of-U, I'd go for it.
26" wheels should not be an issue; matter of fact could be an advantage as you could put on knobbies to ride trails/off road if U-2 so desire.

On the mileage thing, here is something to put into perspective: just sold our '93 custom Co-Motion with 56,000 miles on the odo (that's correct: 56,000) and for its time great components: Phil hubs, Syncros Ti BBs, Topline triple crankset; also Tange Prestige DB tubing, chromed rear triangle and 1/2 fork, custom paint (airbrushed desert scene on boob tube), unique braze-ons (spare spoke holder under boob tube, braze-on for mini-garage door opener on adjustable stoker stem, 5 bottle braze-ons, pump peg) for $1,100.
So the 'dale's price is not out of line, in our opinion. For $900 you could not buy the same quality frame, whether a new cheaper Trek or Raleigh, or KHS or . . .

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

If it's as clean and as low mileage as you say it is and it FITS the 2-of-U, I'd go for it.
26" wheels should not be an issue; matter of fact could be an advantage as you could put on knobbies to ride trails/off road if U-2 so desire.

On the mileage thing, here is something to put into perspective: just sold our '93 custom Co-Motion with 56,000 miles on the odo (that's correct: 56,000) and for its time great components: Phil hubs, Syncros Ti BBs, Topline triple crankset; also Tange Prestige DB tubing, chromed rear triangle and 1/2 fork, custom paint (airbrushed desert scene on boob tube), unique braze-ons (spare spoke holder under boob tube, braze-on for mini-garage door opener on adjustable stoker stem, 5 bottle braze-ons, pump peg) for $1,100.
So the 'dale's price is not out of line, in our opinion. For $900 you could not buy the same quality frame, whether a new cheaper Trek or Raleigh, or KHS or . . .

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

I'm pretty sure I read that the owner of the bike shop is selling it for his dad. It may be fair to assume that the bike has been well maintained, and probably has decent components as well. Check the hubs, brakes, shifters, and cranks to see what level they are. Even if you have to put a few hundered into it, you're still way ahead of the game if the spec is good.

Thanks to everyone for all of their replies. I don't have any pictures, but if I get back over there I may be able to take some. I really didn't want to spend that much, but I also don't want to buy junk. I was looking in the 5-600 price range, but haven't found anything yet - it seems like used tandems of decent quality hold their value really well, so I may just have to get a little more money together before I make a move.