Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Tandem Cycling
Reload this Page >

Any info about Cannondale RT2000 please? (Looking to buy)

Notices
Tandem Cycling A bicycle built for two. Want to find out more about this wonderful world of tandems? Check out this forum to talk with other tandem enthusiasts. Captains and stokers welcome!

Any info about Cannondale RT2000 please? (Looking to buy)

Old 09-26-05, 09:30 AM
  #1  
Pepperoni Power
Thread Starter
 
ROJA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oaklandish
Posts: 1,667
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Any info about Cannondale RT2000 please? (Looking to buy)

I am planning to buy a used Cannondale RT2000 that I've located, but I'm having a hard time finding out more information about the particular model of bike. It has a Sugino crankset, 3x8 gearing and old-mtb-style (non-v-brake) brakes (Shimano LX). Rear derailleur is Shimano XT. The bike looks beautiful and rides nicely (the fit seems fine for my 5'9" frame at a 21" frame). Based on these components, I'm thinking it must be from the late 90's (8-speed cogset, but no v-brakes). It has bar-end shifters (at the bottom of the drops). Here are some pictures: https://www.craigslist.org/eby/bik/99361690.html

I would love to hear anything about this bike, including what the price was new and the weight. Is this a CAAD bike (and should I care)? Is the frame pretty good? It will be our first tandem and I want something that will be nice to ride for some time, but not too expensive. This bike is being offered at $1500 and it has barely been used (only 200 miles and the bike literally looks brand new). How would this fit the bill? I could buy a brand-new Trek T1000 for about 400-500 more (is it worth it)? The cheapest new co-mo or santana is about double the price.

The bike also seems to have 28" tires- is that an odd layout? Any pros or cons? Is there decent tire availability in this size?

Thanks for any info on this model and general feedback.
ROJA is offline  
Old 09-26-05, 10:48 AM
  #2  
Pepperoni Power
Thread Starter
 
ROJA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oaklandish
Posts: 1,667
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I found some info here. I think the bike is a 1996, 1997, or maybe a 1998 model. When we test rode it, it felt great and seemed to climb nicely. Total weight appears to be under 38 pounds, which should be fine for a first tandem. My stoker felt that she was pushed downward a bit, but likely this was due to a fat gel seat that was angled slightly down. I will replace the seat and play with adjustment to get her comfortable. Very exciting...

Here is the link: https://www.tandemmag.com/roadtest/can96/
ROJA is offline  
Old 09-26-05, 11:11 AM
  #3  
hors category
 
TandemGeek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,231
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
The color looks a bit off in the photos for "Galaxy Blue" which seemed to be one of the predominate colors back around '97, but the components seem to be consistent with a '97ish C'dale RT2000. Weight is just under 38lbs and cost new was probably around $2,200; the RT3000's were closer to $3k. I think his asking price is a bit too high; $1,000 - $1,100 would be more in line if it's really in pristine condition.

Components aren't all that bad, the worst being the rear Coda hub (a re-branded Hugi star ratchet) which tend to eventually come apart. However, if you are diligent about servicing / lubricating the Coda or Hugi hubs, they'll last many thousands of miles.

In general, it looks to be a great first tandem. Either give it a complete once-over to service all the lubricated parts (rear hub, headset, etc...) or have a trusted bike shop do it for you. Tires are probably 700x28mm, not 28" and that's about as small as you'll want to go on the stock Sun CR16 rims, originally spec'd for some pretty big and meaty tires, e.g., 35mm.
TandemGeek is offline  
Old 09-26-05, 11:33 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
zonatandem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016

Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times in 11 Posts
Agree price is a wee bit high; however a C'dale near brand new would be, in our opinion, a better bike and pricepoint than the Trek.
If it fits . . .
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
zonatandem is offline  
Old 09-26-05, 12:14 PM
  #5  
Pepperoni Power
Thread Starter
 
ROJA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oaklandish
Posts: 1,667
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanks for the feedback. The seller agreed to take $1400 and I'm pretty happy with that. The options for used tandems seem a bit slim and demand is fairly high around her (SF Bay Area), so I think I'll grab this one. We rode the Trek and also a much more expensive Co-Motion and this bike felt great to us. TandemGeek, I think you are right about the tires being 28mm (width) rather than 28" (diameter). The tires looked to be more hybrid-oriented rubber rather than aggressive street tires (max pressure is only 70 psi), so I may make the swap once we have a few miles under them.

I appreciate the advice and am willing to pay a bit of a premium to buy an almost-new bike that feels good to us rather than spend weeks shopping-- and driving-- around looking to save a couple hundred bucks. The owner says it only has 200 miles total because he and his wife never really got into riding it. He is a bit of an enthusiast and has a few nice bikes hanging in the garage, so I feel OK about it.

I think I will do it and report back to you all regarding the process. The price of entry seems high, with the bike just a drop in the bucket of our impending tandem addiction: bike gear for her ($200), car rack w/ tandem mount ($600?), bike case for travel ($650), European tour ($5500 for two), airfare to Europe ($1500), SUV or wagon for more tandem trips ($30,000), etc. I am either going to love this or hate this or both!!!
ROJA is offline  
Likes For ROJA:
Old 09-26-05, 07:24 PM
  #6  
hors category
 
TandemGeek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,231
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by ROJA
The seller agreed to take $1400 and I'm pretty happy with that.
\

Congrats! It'll be a great machine and you'll quickly amortize your investment in each other if you find you both enjoy tandeming.

BTW, if you need an SUV to haul that thing around we've got a sweet '02 Suburban Z71 on the market!!!
TandemGeek is offline  
Old 09-27-05, 10:49 AM
  #7  
Pepperoni Power
Thread Starter
 
ROJA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oaklandish
Posts: 1,667
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanks for the feedback. I bought the bike last night and so now I officially own a tandem. I can't wait to take it for a ride this weekend!
ROJA is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.