ottsville
I'm looking at a Cannondale T1000 today - any thoughts on them? All of the tandem couples I know ride burleys or santanas, so I can't get any feedback on them.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thoughts on Cannondale tandems?
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)
Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net
Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)
Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net
TandemGeek
Just to clarify:
T1000 is a Treks mid-level tandem
MT1000 is a prior designation for a Cannondale mountain tandem, the Street Tandem is the closest to it at present.
RT1000 is a prior designation for a Cannondale road tandem, the RT3 is the closet to it at present with regard to component level specs.
Cannondale makes an excellent tandem. The '99 and up year model (CAAD) frame dimensions are a bit odd... disproportionately long in the captain's top tube and the stoker compartments are a bit small compared to their pre-'99 models but all-in-all a very solid, well-made frame that is very stiff and not too heavy. Easily on par with Burley and Trek tandem frames for quality and craftmanship and usually a good value. Hard to know any more about the bike without a list of the components, as they are the wild card on any second hand tandem in terms of age, grade and state of repair.
T1000 is a Treks mid-level tandem
MT1000 is a prior designation for a Cannondale mountain tandem, the Street Tandem is the closest to it at present.
RT1000 is a prior designation for a Cannondale road tandem, the RT3 is the closet to it at present with regard to component level specs.
Cannondale makes an excellent tandem. The '99 and up year model (CAAD) frame dimensions are a bit odd... disproportionately long in the captain's top tube and the stoker compartments are a bit small compared to their pre-'99 models but all-in-all a very solid, well-made frame that is very stiff and not too heavy. Easily on par with Burley and Trek tandem frames for quality and craftmanship and usually a good value. Hard to know any more about the bike without a list of the components, as they are the wild card on any second hand tandem in terms of age, grade and state of repair.
carpediemracing
The missus and I have a Cannondale road tandem, 700c wheels, disc brakes. Except for fit changes (saddles, rear post, captain stem, bars, and Ergo levers) we've left it all as is. Oh, I put a smaller cassette on it too, 11-26.
Great bike, wish it had a shorter head tube, but otherwise a great bike. For "normal" riding it's hard to beat. We've gone as far as a metric century on it. Most of our rides are an hour or less though. We're not very serious on the tandem although the missus did ask me if I wanted to go fast on a particular stretch of road yesterday.
Thudbuster post in the rear is basically a requirement for all but the most hardcore tandem riders.
I don't see the need for 26" wheels/tires so I'd stay away from them. Unless you want to ride off road.
As a reference I've been racing (single) bikes for 25 years, worked in bike shops for 15 years, and have built virtually all my bikes from frame up. I focus on cost effectiveness and I try to buy functional things. So I've skipped carbon posts, bars, and stems on my single bikes but I have carbon/aero wheels. The tandem only needed personal preference items, nothing else.
recreational tandem rider,
cdr
Great bike, wish it had a shorter head tube, but otherwise a great bike. For "normal" riding it's hard to beat. We've gone as far as a metric century on it. Most of our rides are an hour or less though. We're not very serious on the tandem although the missus did ask me if I wanted to go fast on a particular stretch of road yesterday.
Thudbuster post in the rear is basically a requirement for all but the most hardcore tandem riders.
I don't see the need for 26" wheels/tires so I'd stay away from them. Unless you want to ride off road.
As a reference I've been racing (single) bikes for 25 years, worked in bike shops for 15 years, and have built virtually all my bikes from frame up. I focus on cost effectiveness and I try to buy functional things. So I've skipped carbon posts, bars, and stems on my single bikes but I have carbon/aero wheels. The tandem only needed personal preference items, nothing else.
recreational tandem rider,
cdr
stapfam
Thudbuster post in the rear is basically a requirement for all but the most hardcore tandem riders.
I don't see the need for 26" wheels/tires so I'd stay away from them. Unless you want to ride off road.
As a reference I've been racing (single) bikes for 25 years, worked in bike shops for 15 years, and have built virtually all my bikes from frame up. I focus on cost effectiveness and I try to buy functional things. So I've skipped carbon posts, bars, and stems on my single bikes but I have carbon/aero wheels. The tandem only needed personal preference items, nothing else.
recreational tandem rider,
cdr
+1 on the thudbuster as Dales are stiff frames.I ride offroad on an MT2000 and all we do for road rides is change to slick tyres. Heavy bike with front suspension and 26" wheels with slicks on the road can still be pretty fast though. And on the Anciliaries to any Tandem- Unless you are looking to race- Stay functional for all parts and go for the little bit of extra strength over "Bling". Tandems break things with ease.
And as to the quality of the Dale Tandems- Pretty good- could be lighter but strong reliable frames that could possibly have better parts bolted onto it- But they are easy to upgrade when worn or broken
I don't see the need for 26" wheels/tires so I'd stay away from them. Unless you want to ride off road.
As a reference I've been racing (single) bikes for 25 years, worked in bike shops for 15 years, and have built virtually all my bikes from frame up. I focus on cost effectiveness and I try to buy functional things. So I've skipped carbon posts, bars, and stems on my single bikes but I have carbon/aero wheels. The tandem only needed personal preference items, nothing else.
recreational tandem rider,
cdr
+1 on the thudbuster as Dales are stiff frames.I ride offroad on an MT2000 and all we do for road rides is change to slick tyres. Heavy bike with front suspension and 26" wheels with slicks on the road can still be pretty fast though. And on the Anciliaries to any Tandem- Unless you are looking to race- Stay functional for all parts and go for the little bit of extra strength over "Bling". Tandems break things with ease.
And as to the quality of the Dale Tandems- Pretty good- could be lighter but strong reliable frames that could possibly have better parts bolted onto it- But they are easy to upgrade when worn or broken
merlinextraligh
And as to the quality of the Dale Tandems- Pretty good- could be lighter but strong reliable frames that could possibly have better parts bolted onto it- But they are easy to upgrade when worn or broken
That was my sense of it. Cdale's oversize aluminum approach seems ideal for building tandems.
However, in my limited research, it didn't appear you get get one spec'd out with high end wheels and components.
I would think they could put out a pretty nice bike at the $5,000 to $6,000 mark that would stack up well next to Co-Motions and Santana's, but it seems they've made a decision not to play in that market.
That was my sense of it. Cdale's oversize aluminum approach seems ideal for building tandems.
However, in my limited research, it didn't appear you get get one spec'd out with high end wheels and components.
I would think they could put out a pretty nice bike at the $5,000 to $6,000 mark that would stack up well next to Co-Motions and Santana's, but it seems they've made a decision not to play in that market.
dfcas
A nice thing about the road tandems is they will take a fairly fat tire-maybe around a 700x40or so. I tend to think of them as cyclocross tandems,which I like a lot.
You can run cantis front or rear, disc front or rear on the newer omes,which is a nice option.You can also choose a drag brake.
All in all, they are a great value.
You can run cantis front or rear, disc front or rear on the newer omes,which is a nice option.You can also choose a drag brake.
All in all, they are a great value.
streetlightpoet
We're enjoying ours so far. The huge 26x2.5 slicks acts like a thudbuster for both of us while still rolling fast. That's the only change I've made thus far, although am considering some disc brakes, and possibly adding a suspension fork.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2422298540_2d08c08dc1.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2422298540_2d08c08dc1.jpg
dudewtfhillary
Quit posting my picture, jerk. :)
Midwest Ullrich
I am debating whether to get the Trek T900 or the Cannondale Street. Our family's rides usually include neighbourhood ridings after dinners and weekends metro park bike path ridings. I'll say max. 20-30 miles per week. Because we have a 2 yrs old, we planned on setting up a child seat at the back (my wife would feel more secure knowing he is just right behind her). When he gets older and heavier, we will put him into a trailer. My wife is relatively short (5'2") so easy entry/exit is one of her big concerns.
My brain tells me to get the Trek (biggest bang for the buck) but my heart tells me to get the Cannondale (the bike simply feels more responsive and it doesn't look as "girlish" as the Trek). Our 10 yrs old 6 speed tandem is running its last leg and I have given up spending any more time to fix it. The biggest issue has been the rear wheel slipping out from the horizontal drop out.
For the type of family riding we do, is Trek make more sense? Any help is appreciated.
My brain tells me to get the Trek (biggest bang for the buck) but my heart tells me to get the Cannondale (the bike simply feels more responsive and it doesn't look as "girlish" as the Trek). Our 10 yrs old 6 speed tandem is running its last leg and I have given up spending any more time to fix it. The biggest issue has been the rear wheel slipping out from the horizontal drop out.
For the type of family riding we do, is Trek make more sense? Any help is appreciated.
andydreisch
We love our Cannondale tandem (the RT). To me it represented a great value and the disc brakes are a real plus. The huge aluminum tubes look awesome. We're a heavy team (or at least I am!!) and I appreciate the sturdy ride it offers.
Andy
Andy
specbill
I can't speak to the "street" model but we have an older road C'dale road tandem that has been super durable and a joy to ride for a long time. It lends itself to wide variety of set up configurations (I like the 'cross bike' correlation by dfcas which is absolutely dead on the money). Plus, if you are an upgrade junky like I am you can go as crazy as you want with a super wide range of readily available high end components or just enjoy it bone stock. I can't see how you can go wrong with a C'dale tandem as long as it fits resonably well. FWIW my stoker never felt the need to use a shock absorbing seat post and that was before we upgraded to some carbon bits and pieces in the usual stoker locations. We usually run 700c - 28mm tires at 120 pounds of air.
Best of luck with your choice and have fun.
Bill J.
Best of luck with your choice and have fun.
Bill J.
Mario V
Just got this 2008 C'dale in January, full ultegra, Avid disc brakes, fizik saddles and one fun ride for less than 3K. what more could you ask for? This our first tandem and so far it is a lot of fun and fast when you want to be fast. In my experience so far, this a lot of value for the money. I think any decent tandem is better than no Tandem:)
Baldy88
We bought our first tandem this year and it is the Cannondale R3. For the money you cannot go wrong. It is not component cheap by any means. While it is not a high dollar custom ride it is just as much fun. All the fun, none of the snobbery of the "custom ride crowd". :p
There are a lot of great off the shelf bikes that don't break the bank and the Cannondale tandems are in that category. The only things changed on this are the saddles and stoker seat post. Everything else is quality gear that will last for years if not the life of the bike. Sure you could save weight with some fancy lightweight rims, carbon seatposts and stems, but this thing weighs in around 35 pounds as is. @ $1750 out the door what more could one ask for?
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q157/DrDover/DSC_2617.jpg
There are a lot of great off the shelf bikes that don't break the bank and the Cannondale tandems are in that category. The only things changed on this are the saddles and stoker seat post. Everything else is quality gear that will last for years if not the life of the bike. Sure you could save weight with some fancy lightweight rims, carbon seatposts and stems, but this thing weighs in around 35 pounds as is. @ $1750 out the door what more could one ask for?
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q157/DrDover/DSC_2617.jpg
moleman76
How did you photoshop my garage into the background behind your bike?
Red is the fastest color, too.
Red is the fastest color, too.
steveseebold
Too stiff.
Eddie50
Bought a 2004 model 3 years ago, enjoyed it a lot, the discs are a plus on long hilly roads.
But now I started racing and was thinking of upgrading it, wheels fork, lighter brakes, but found a pilot that has a Trek T2000 so I can compare the two since I have both right now.
I am the stoker and no suspension seat post for racing, so lets say that the dale is EXTREMELY stiff, the trek is more comfortable.
Other point is rear stoker room, Im 5'7" and its too tight on the dale, the trek has a little bit more room without going custom.
The rest, well the trek is lighter because of the wheels, fork, non disc brakes.
Still, two excellent machines for the price IMO.
But now I started racing and was thinking of upgrading it, wheels fork, lighter brakes, but found a pilot that has a Trek T2000 so I can compare the two since I have both right now.
I am the stoker and no suspension seat post for racing, so lets say that the dale is EXTREMELY stiff, the trek is more comfortable.
Other point is rear stoker room, Im 5'7" and its too tight on the dale, the trek has a little bit more room without going custom.
The rest, well the trek is lighter because of the wheels, fork, non disc brakes.
Still, two excellent machines for the price IMO.
TriGit
I just bought a '96 MB tandem. Love it. LX components were trashed, so replaced them all with 10 year old 105 (NIB) off Ebay, and converted it to road (slicks etc - the 26" rims are the only giveaway that it wasn't a road one to start with). It's like a new bike. Frame is bomb proof and rigid, and looks cool (powder dark blue). Once borrowed a '90 Dale road tandem for a couple of years, loved that too.
(PS, $400 for the original, $200 in parts so far.......can't complain!)
(PS, $400 for the original, $200 in parts so far.......can't complain!)
Baldy88
How did you photoshop my garage into the background behind your bike?
Red is the fastest color, too.
That is funny! I see lots of bike owner garages like mine and yours. I have too many toys for my own good. A kayak, 8 bikes amongst all in the family, lawn mower (not a toy), and misc. kid's toys.
Black is fast, red is faster!
Red is the fastest color, too.
That is funny! I see lots of bike owner garages like mine and yours. I have too many toys for my own good. A kayak, 8 bikes amongst all in the family, lawn mower (not a toy), and misc. kid's toys.
Black is fast, red is faster!
Previous - Top - Next
Copyright 1999 - 2007 BikeForums.Net - All rights reserved.
Common bike forum topics in clue bicycles, cycling, mountain biking,
cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, shoes and bike equiptment selection.
Common bike forum topics in clue bicycles, cycling, mountain biking,
cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, shoes and bike equiptment selection.