Tandem Cycling - Looking at used tandems....help wanted indentifying this Cannondale

I've slowly been getting back into cycling, initially as a form of exercise and route to weight loss, but more recently as another pass time that both the wife and I really enjoy sharing together.
With the latter in mind, the wife has broached the idea of buying a tandem and I must say I do fancy the idea. YES, we will most certainly go out and get some test riding in to see if it's really 'our thing', and in the mean time I'm also scouring craigslist/kijiji etc.

Kijiji led me to the following ad and I'd like to pick the brains of you tandem guru's in an effort to figure out what model Cannondale it is, what spec components it should have, what year it is etc. The ad is typically crap, so any help would be appreciated.

Cannondale tandem ad on kijiji (http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-bikes-Cannondale-tandem-W0QQAdIdZ314168721)

Thanks in advance guys,
Mark

My best guess is that it's a 2006 Cannondale Mountain Tandem (http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2006&Brand=Cannondale&Model=Mountain+Tandem&Type=bike), which is one of the few that came in a muted color scheme--jet black/charcoal grey. Follow the link for specs. Bikepedia is your friend. :-)

I looked at the 2004 - 2006 Mountain Tandems, but the captain's top tube looks different where it intersects the head tube.......could that be a frame size related thing?

Not to be a smart ass, but the ad does say:
"Email: dlbuchne@ucalgary.ca"

I suggest you do that first, then tell us what the guy says if it doesn't seem to hold water.

It's a fair comment. Indeed I have already e-mailed the seller asking the relevant questions, however I thought i'd ask here on the off chance that someone with more encyclopaedic tandem knowledge than me might be able to just rattle the details off......my areas of nerdy focus lay elsewhere unfortunately.

.......could that be a frame size related thing?

Yes, it is a size-related thing: this is one of the larger-sized tandems (XL or J) produced by Cannondale. The Medium & Large frames have the "stepped top tube" that typically show up in the catalogs.

.....my areas of nerdy focus lay elsewhere unfortunately.

In which case I'd take a mechanic with me if I went to look at this bike. I see several "less than spectacular" things in those photos, none of them uncorrectable, but were I in your shoes I'd want it looked over by a pro wrench first. The things I see scream at me either a lack of maintenance or a lack of knowledgeable maintenance, and you'll want to price it accordingly.

The frame is 99 or newer. My guess would be a 2001 MT800, based on the black color and black decals.

It could be a later year as mentioned by someone else, but to me the Shimano cranks possibly date it. We previously owned a sister to this bike if it is an 01, ours was the yellow version.

When I parted it out, one item I kept was the Shimano tandem crankset, which we now use on our Fandango.

The bike is no doubt set up to tour. The asking price of $1000 is pretty typical going rate. As also mentioned, you should plan on having it gone through. If the bike has serious miles and little maintenance it could nickel and dime beyond a good deal. Check the bottom brackets for wear. Also, those would not be the original HF07 hubs and wheels since those were silver. Additionally, if it is a 2001, someone has added disc brakes, (with the wheel change for mounting discs) and kept a third brake for descending.

This bike has what looks to be a Bob trailer quick release. You might inquire if the trailer is part of the deal. That would make it more tempting price wise.

PK

From the looks of that rack, it's done some serious touring...

Thanks for the responses guys. I agree that it looks less than immaculate in the pictures and even though I happily maintain my own bikes, I am lucky enough to have willing and very competent friends who would be able to come along and check things over for/with me.
Over the coming long weekend (it's Canadian thanksgiving) we'll ry and head to a few tandem friendly LBS' and get a little seat time as a couple, and if the seller ever get's back to me, then we may take an initial look over the Cannondale.

Thanks,
Mark

Hi,

Having just gone thru the process of scouring Craig'sList and eBay nationwide, to me, this looks a little high to me for the cosmetic condition displayed in the pictures. Obviously it could be in great mechanical condition but I saw many very clean looking C'Dales for this same asking price up to $1,300. This Santana Arriva looks like a nice clean bike for instance. Probably a few years older than what you are looking at but no-one has bid on it and my guess is one could strike a deal with the owner. I saw many good looking used bikes between $1,500-$1,800 including several Speedsters and even a Co-Mo Roadster in SFO for $1,600 so do a lot of investigation.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370544158985?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Best of luck and let us know how you make out.