Tandem Cycling - Keith Anderson Tandem, Value?

I have an opportunity to buy a Keith Anderson tandem. Haven't seen it in person but it is claimed to be in mint condition. On paper it seems to be a perfect fit for my stoker and I. I'll be taking it for a test ride tomorrow to see for sure. It is, I believe, an early 90's bike. It has a Dura-Ace rear cassette, 600 derailleurs, I think Dura-Ace STI (it is hard to tell from the image). It also has Scott Superbrakes. The asking price is $1200. Does this sound reasonable for this bike, assuming their claim of mint condition is accurate?

Thanks.

Well. Now I know why no one has a reply. I got the chance to see the bike on Saturday and talk to Keith Anderson at the NAHBS on Sunday. Seems he has only made about 8 tandems during his entire career. The craftsmanship on the bike was gorgeous and it was indeed in flawless condition. I'd say that unless something unexpected happens, I'll be picking this bike up.

Well. Now I know why no one has a reply. Seems he has only made about 8 tandems during his entire career. The craftsmanship on the bike was gorgeous and it was indeed in flawless condition. I'd say that unless something unexpected happens, I'll be picking this bike up.

+1. There are a handful of builders out there who have created many of these one-off tandem frames and each frame needs to be evaluated on its own merits.

Some of these special frames and bicycles may not necessarily be "great" by today's measures of greatness, but that's never a fair way to judge anything if it has reach a point where what does make it special transcends its value as merely a 'bike'. Moreover, what is special to one person may not be special to others so it's always nice when a special bike finds a special buyer.

Perhaps that's the case this time around...

Well I figure the most important thing is the fit, which is excellent for both my stoker and I, and second would be quality of construction which is, again, excellent. I have several bikes from the 80's which I enjoy riding immensely even though they would no longer be considered cutting edge, so the age of the bike does not put me off.

Not that it would have any impact on my buying decision, but supposedly the bike was ridden to a gold at one of the National Masters time trials. If that is so, then it would seem to be a fairly good performing bike as well. I wonder how a person would go about verifying something like that? Doesn't matter, I'd buy it even if that weren't true, but it's amusing if it is.

Oh yes, and I realize that the performance of the engine is more important than the performance of the bike, but I would imagine in an event as competitive as a TT the bike still something of a factor.

If it fits and is in great shape. . . why not?
Those brakes were great in their day; put 56,000 miles on Scott Superbrakes with the Matthauser pads on one of our tandems. Rear pads lasted 'only' 50,000 miles.
Enjoy the ride 2-gther!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem