[jdonzella]

The wife and I are thinking about a folding santana tandem (road), but something we could put some cross tires on if needed. Anyone have any experience with santana particularly the folding type. I was told that any santana frame could be made by the factory to fold for an upgrade charge. Anyone know for sure and any suggestions of a different or better option? Like to keep the price below 3500$?

[The BikeForums Team]

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

[galen_52657]

I don't think it folds, I think it has couplers.

[TwinTraveller]

I don't know about satana, but I do know that the 2005 Koga-Miyata (http://www.kogamiyata.com/) TwinTraveller is foldable.
However, at a price of about 4000 Euro, it may be just a little over you budget. :(

Cheers,
TT

[TandemGeek]

The wife and I are thinking about a folding santana tandem (road), but something we could put some cross tires on if needed. Anyone have any experience with santana particularly the folding type. I was told that any santana frame could be made by the factory to fold for an upgrade charge. Anyone know for sure and any suggestions of a different or better option? Like to keep the price below 3500$?

We own a travel tandem that uses the same coupler system and I am quite familiar with the Santana line of tandems; what would you like to know?

As to your budget and options, the least expensive travel tandems on the market today are the S&S bicycle torque coupling (BTC) equipped Santana Arriva SE @ $4,200 MSRP and S&S BTC equipped Co-Motion Primera also @ $4,200 MSRP. There are some subtle differences between the two machines, but it suffices to say that both are excellent products. It is possible, but not too likely, that a few NOS or demo models may be available for a slight discount from either of these builders (Email: SantanaInc@aol.com or Info@Co-Motion.com) or perhaps one of their authorized dealers.

As others have suggested, with the exception of the Tandem Tuesday or Koga which are foldable tandems that incorporate hinged frame joints, the majority of travel tandems on the market today are fitted with threaded couplings made by S&S Machine. You can learn more about the S&S couplings and find a list of builders who use them here: http://www.sandsmachine.com

As for other suggestions, a quick check of the classifieds at http://www.tandemmag.com/classified revealed a very nice, low-mileage but older 26" wheeled Bilenky S&S travel tandem with an asking price of $3,600 (a bit high IMHO). Toward the bottom of the page there was also an older 26" Montague folding tandem (no longer in production) with an asking price of $1,950 (also a bit high IMHO). The point being, if you have time on your side you may be able to find a slighly used travel tandem if you are budget constrained that would meet your needs.

[zonatandem]

Folding or take-apart?

Koga Miyata (weighing about 60 lbs) built in Holland folds.
Montague, of Cambridge, MA used to build a folding tandem about 10 years ago. Maybe you can locate a used one. It was much faster folding (after a little pratice) than taking apart an S&S fitted tandem. Available with 26" wheels and one size only, 21 x 18. Test rode one and did a review on it for a magazine.
Tandem Twosday, of Eugene, OR, builds a small wheeled foldable tandem.