mjohn

My wife and I just did our first MS 150 on a Tandem…(We have done them before on singles). We are hooked. It really gave us a chance to do something together.
We did it on a rented Trek T1000 ( to see if we could survive ) that was in less than great shape.

We now have to buy one. I want to search and see if I can find a good used Burley Tosa, comparable co motion or Santana in the $2000.00 range.

For the time being I have found a used Cannondale MT800 that has been converted to a road bike. ( new fork, bars and smaller tires) for 700.00. It looks a lot better that the one I rented and the components seem to be a tad better all the way around.

I was thinking about getting this for now to give me time to do some research and look around. I figure I can ride it a while and probably get close to what I paid for it once I find a better bike. If I cant find one in 6 month or so, I will juts buy a new one

Is this a good deal? Am I stepping into a landmine on a converted bike. Even converted, for the short time I rode it, it didn’t seem any heavier than the Trek I rented and seemed to handle better, but I didn’t ride it for 180 miles either

What is everyone’s thoughts on the Somba? Seem to me like a great value for the $$$$

zonatandem

If the C'dale fits . . . get it.
The Burley Samba was near the lowest (26" wheel) in their lineup. It would cost you some to swith it over like the C'dale.
If you intend to get a new one anyway, the C'dale will do nicely.

mjohn

Thanks!!!

I was actulay looking at the Burley Tosa....Not Somba. Sorry about the typo I want more of a road bike

TandemGeek

How about the Tosa...? Burley's aluminum-framed mid-level road tandem with Shimano 105 level components.

specbill

I can't speak to the Burley but if the C'dale fits and components function as designed, I can't see any way you can go wrong for that kind of money. Use it as you said and you can always get your money back if you sell...it is a solid tandem that you won't be disappointed with.
Bill J.

mjohn

I hope so, I picked it up today.

It was a super clean Cannondale. For now I will ride it as is, I do not want to put alot into it as I want to get more of a true road bike. But it should work fine for now. I wish the gearing was bigger, I would like a 52t on the top and this has a 43 I think. being a masher I will loose alot of my top end.

mjohn

Thanks Tandem Geek

Yes...fat fingers again TOSA not Sosa whas the bike that I was looking at.

Seem like you get alot of bike for the money. so far I can only find it on line at Tandems east. Any other places I could look?

I will fix my post

zonatandem

Tandems East is about the only place left with Burleys in stock unless Precision Tandems has something left in inventory.
Big difference between Tosa and the Samba!