[iowabrew]

We are shopping for our first tandem, and I’d appreciate your feedback.

Based on our budget, we’ve narrowed the choices to two:

* Cannondale Road Tandem 2, and

* Co-Motion Periscope 700C

The price would be about the same, and both seem to fit well. We would use the tandem for state rides and similar tours, but nothing cross-country. We’d probably be classified as intermediate cyclists. These are the best bikes we can afford at this point in our lives.

I have enjoyed reading your posts during my research, and would appreciate feedback in choosing the best bike between these two choices. Thank you.
-iowabrew

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[zonatandem]

Iowabrew . . .
Looks like you've got it narrowed down to two good choices.
Have ridden C'dale and Peri's . . . the Peri offers better adjustments for multiple riders (kids, grandkids, neighbors, etc.) and available in a bit larger model selection.

[TandemGeek]

How about a little bit more info about you and your stoker(s)?

Just starting out with kids in the future, DINK and no plans to change that, empty nesters and looking forward to cycling together???

Are you and stoker tall or short and what's the combined weight of the heaviest team that will use this tandem?

Have you ridden or at least straddled these or are the size references based on just the literature / Web info on sizing?

[iowabrew]

Replying:
The captain (me) is 6'0", and stoker (my wife) is 5'8".

It would primarily be used by the two of us. We have two sons who might ride as stoker when they get taller, but we're mostly buying for the two of us.

The maximum weight would be about 325 pounds.

I have done a fairly extensive amount of research on sizing and have straddled both bikes, and I think the two models & sizes we're considering would fit.
-iowabrew


How about a little bit more info about you and your stoker(s)?

Just starting out with kids in the future, DINK and no plans to change that, empty nesters and looking forward to cycling together???

Are you and stoker tall or short and what's the combined weight of the heaviest team that will use this tandem?

Have you ridden or at least straddled these or are the size references based on just the literature / Web info on sizing?

[TandemGeek]

The Cannondale will be a bit more stiff than the Periscope which would be a good thing given that you are both taller than average. However, for the type of riding that you're considering, I doubt it would make much difference so that discriminator isn't as important as it would be with a much heavier couple. The Cannondale would also offer you a more custom fit given that they have four different sizes.

The Periscope, on the other hand, while limited to two different sizes, would make riding with your sons a no-brainer early on and will growth with them. It could also be configured to allow either one of you to captain if you eventually decided to become a two tandem family.

Those are the biggest discriminators. Both products are well-made, come with excellent warranties (Co-Motion's is transferrable), and use good components. Obviously, test rides on both would likely yield some clues as to which you'd be the most comfortable with. There are definitely trade-offs with both bikes, but either one would be an excellent first tandem.