kingkonger

From what I've already read here, there are some tandem GURU's on this forum I'd like to get some opinions from! I'm new to tandeming and wanted to get some feedback on a 2002 Co-motion speedster. Is this the same frame that they use fur current speedsters, or have they made significant upgrades on their current model?


The bike is in good condition with race face cranks and Ultegra level drivetrain, and they want $2100 for it. Does this sound reasonable? This puts it close to what I'd pay for an 09 Cannondale, which brings up the second question has anyone ridden the new Cannondale frame? I'm suprised that a bike that is six years old would be close to the pricepoint of a brand new cannondale with decent components. To justify this Co-motion frame of 2002 must be significantly better than the aluminum CDale frame...

1. Has the co-motion speedster frame changed significantly from 2002 (what would be the changes)? Weight similar?
2. Is $2100 reasonable for an 02 speedster?
3. Has the 09 Cdale frame improved to make it competitive with a six year old steel frame?
4. Would it be lighter than steel?

Thanks so much in advance for any feedback!

TandemGeek

1. Has the co-motion speedster frame changed significantly from 2002: No, same Reynolds 631 air hardened steel as today

2. Is $2100 reasonable for an 02 speedster? If it's in good or very good shape, yes. If it's tired and needs upgrades / extensive maintenance maybe not. More info HERE.

3. Has the 09 Cdale frame improved to make it competitive with a six year old steel frame? It's as competitive today was it was back in 2002... well, check that. The '09 now has a stoker compartment that's on par with the Co-Motion, no so from '99 - '08 when they were shorter on the smaller sized C'dales.

4. Would it be lighter than steel? The vast majority of your big weight reductions on tandems come from the components, more so than the frame until you get to the uber-light materials / designs (open framed Machiatto Al, Paketa Mg, Calfee Tetra Carbon, R&E Trillium OX Platnium). Off hand, if I had to guess, the C'dale frame would probably be 1lb or so heavier than the Speedster's Reynolds 631 frame depending on the size of the frame.

kingkonger

Excellent feedback - extremely helpful.

One addtional question here - I understand that the material is the same, however have there been any changes to geometry or anything else over the years? I'm asking in part to see if a test ride on a new speedster would be similar to the 2002 (granted components would be different)

TandemGeek

Geometry is the same but the one thing I'm not positive about is the rear I.S. disc mount. It may have still been an option back in '02 vs. a standard frame feature. However, as for the handling the only thing to be attentive to is the forks. Co-Motion's steel forks use 50mm of rake whereas the optional Wound-Up carbon forks use 47mm... which make the already "sporty" handling of a Co-Motion even more sporty. Therefore, for an apples-to-apples comparison you'd need to test ride a Co-Motion speedster with the same type of fork and, well, tires and wheels also play a big role in handling.

I'll defer to anyone who actually knows for sure and, well, you could always ask the seller if it's there... assuming you're interested in having a rear disc.

They're not essential nor even necessary for the vast majority of tandem teams; however, are still desireable by those teams that fit into the profile of a rear disc user.

karinbur

You know, I've found the folks at Co-Motion to be really helpful on the phone. You could call them directly and ask your questions about the difference between 2002 and current models. We've been up there, and it's a pretty small plant, so everyone is pretty accessible. Their number, if you're interested, is 541-342-4583. The current Speedster, basic bike, is going for $4825.

TandemGeek

Good recommendation. This is actually true of all the speciality tandem builders and the most reliable way of obtaining information about certain year / make / model tandem specs.

zonatandem

Between C'dale's heat treated alu and the Co-Mo Reynolds 631 the plushness of the ride on the Co-Mo would be noticeable.
Just our observation.
Pedal on TWOgewther!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

bikeinxs

As has been stated, if it's in good shape that's a good price. Two years ago I bought an 03 Speedster, full Ultegra with the Velocity wheels and wound up carbon fork and paid quite a bit more than $2100. It was in very good shape, and we've put a lot of miles on it in two years. It's an awesome bike.

If you decide not to buy the bike, please let me know the email address of the seller! If it's the right size I have a friend who would be interested.

PMK

I was watching this bike since it appeared on e bay. Did the best homework I could and got the go ahead last night at dinner. Planning to pick it up in the next couple of days.

I've been trying to convince the wife we need to get her off the mtb more and in the woods a bit less due to her allergies. So we'll still ride offroad, but going to start some onroad also.

To be honest, I was planning on going with the Cannondale 2009 Road Tandem 2, but with my local dealer and friend telling Cannondale he no longer was interested in being a dealer for Cannondale, my RT2 cost went up a bunch.

This one came up on ebay, as did some other nice tandems near the same time, like that recent $1400 Dale, plus a few on craigslist. Wife said yes, so it gets a spot next to the tandem mtb.

Sorry, but some one had to buy it. The current owner seems glad it's staying in Florida and it will see some of the events it's already a veteran of.

FWIW, owner says 2200 miles since he bought it new and is as delivered without any parts swaps, these were the published specs I found. He did say it has a King headset though, guess time tell when we pick it up.

https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...ter&Type=bikel

PK

kingkonger

I was bummed to see that someone had bought it when I decided that it was the right move to make and logged in to buy it. Lessen learned, next time I won't call attention to the good deal in the forum Oh well, that's life - still in the market for a used Co-mo if anyone is selling.

PMK

I wouldn't say the forum drew attention to making us buy it. I saw the ad within a couple of hours of when it first listed, we talked about it quite a bit prior to pulling the trigger. Actually, for us the bike is somewhat local and I had asked prior to your post if we could have a look, the email came back saying yes and that local pickup was ok. Unfortunately we were not able to see it first. I did tell the wife, if you think you want it...it will go quick, I was surprised we got it.

As I said we were debating about an RT2 or something used. I would have bought it almost immediately, but the wife had to search about 200 bikes on ebay and craigs list nationwide to compare. At the moment there are a lot of nice tandems all around the US for pretty reasonable prices, various sizes, brands and years. Just takes some looking, homework, and luck.

Sorry about that.

PK