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Cannondale Road Tandem 2

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Cannondale Road Tandem 2

Old 01-30-09, 10:28 AM
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Cannondale Road Tandem 2

Good evening all

I'm aware that there has been a thread about the Cannondale RT 2 recently, which I have read with great interest.

My spouse and I have a Santana Visa, built I guess in the early 90.s, and we have had some great times on it. As you do, though, we're considering an upgrade to a more modern long bike.

In the 50+ forum there's an ongoing teasing theme about white bikes. I'm on the side of white bikes, and the plain white Cannondale really attracts me.

Of course I know there are more important things about a bike than its paint, but also a bike that you consider attractive is a big part of the pleasure you get from it.

So - what advice would you experienced tandemistas say about the Cannondale as a replacement for an older, rather heavy Santana?

I'd also really like a bike with brakes that work. On the Santana, only a person with the sensitive attention of a forensic scientist could notice any *********** from full application of both brakes!
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Old 01-30-09, 11:38 AM
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#1 Get those brakes adjusted STAT!

#2 I'm of the school that thinks if you are happy with a brand why switch?

#3 I do agree that the look of your ride can be a big part of the joy of ownership. If you want white (IME hard to clean and harder to keep clean) go for it.
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Old 01-30-09, 11:58 AM
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The C'dale reminds me of a tube of Colgate toothpaste.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by embankmentlb
The C'dale reminds me of a tube of Colgate toothpaste.
It looks good to me.
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Old 01-30-09, 12:45 PM
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I like white.
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Old 01-30-09, 05:17 PM
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Has anyone test ridden the New Cannondale Tandem? Supposedly they improved the design to decrease weight, increase stiffness, and elongated the rear cockpit...
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Old 01-30-09, 07:01 PM
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Back in the mid nineties I painted one of my wifes off road bikes bright white. Back then neon was just ending and Rastas and metalics were more common. That bike looked nice, it did get dirty but even dirty it looked good.

Fast forward to today, white is currently in.

We were very close to buying an 2009 RT2, and am sure we would have been happy with it. We opted for a Co-Motion instead.

Buying a new bike is like buying a motorcycle, somehow it just makes you feel good.

The toothpaste comment is quite funny, though I have without doubt seen much, much ,much worse.

PK
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Old 01-31-09, 08:18 PM
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Do the white thing!
We've been riding a white C'dale for a long time...our nextTandem will be some shade of white as well ..of that I am sure.

Bill J.
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Old 02-01-09, 06:45 AM
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Originally Posted by wobblyoldgeezer
So - what advice would you experienced tandemistas say about the Cannondale as a replacement for an older, rather heavy Santana?
Probably a good move IF you and your stoker would be comfortable riding the Cannondale.

However, I would advice against taking a leap of faith and strongly encourage a test ride on one of the newer Cannondale's ('99 and up) just to be sure you give due consideration to the ride and handling quality differences between the C'dale design and that of your Santana.

All-in-all, tandems have come a long way since the 90's but as with all things bicycle-related, distance is measured in millimeters not miles. More gears, a little less weight and contemporary components with an attractive finish is what you'd be buying and if that would make your tandem riding more enjoyable then it's a good move and Cannondale makes a very good tandem with nice component specs for the $$.
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Old 02-01-09, 08:52 AM
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[QUOTE=TandemGeek;8285093]Probably a good move IF you and your stoker would be comfortable riding the Cannondale.

However, I would advice against taking a leap of faith and strongly encourage a test ride on one of the newer Cannondale's ('99 and up) just to be sure you give due consideration to the ride and handling quality differences between the C'dale design and that of your Santana.

QUOTE]

Thanks Mr TG and to other posters - I appreciate it

Although I mentioned my liking for white bikes, I'm not just seeking a paint job! When I bought the Santana after 5 years on my first Orbit I couldn't believe the improvement in frame rigidity, in vertical compliance, and in plain rideability. I'm a Santana fan!

However, the cantilever brakes were never even close to good enough, and time hasn't improved them. Also a new pair of very good wheels complete with gear cassette has highlighted shifting problems. I'm balancing the views of other posters inthis thread (Thanks) - on one side, I have tens of thousands of miles on the Santana and I'm fond of it - versus - stuff has moved on in 20 years.

What ride and handling quality differences would you foresee? (As context, Mrs Stoker and I have both got new single bikes which we love over the last 18 months, they're more performance rather than comfort bikes, and if anything we're getting a smidge harder than softer!)

Test rides on tandems don't happen in Bahrain!

Thanks
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Old 02-01-09, 11:01 AM
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"What ride and handling quality differences would you foresee?"

Stiffness of the frame (more speed particularly on climbs), handling, harshness of the ride, and braking. Would you like the Cdale better? I don't know but there would be differences.

Sheldon
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Old 02-01-09, 12:54 PM
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There's the frame and there's the "stuff".

The frame (and that includes the color) is what it is. If you like the fit and handling, that's as good as it gets.

The "stuff" can all be changed. The manufacturers all buy from the same suppliers so, if you notice an improvement, I wouldn't expect a change in manufacturers to have been the reason.

It's cheaper to change the "stuff" than it is to change the frame.
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Old 02-01-09, 06:25 PM
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Actually, it was Crest that sponsored a racing team equipped with (yes) mostly white Cannondales. Wish I had one of those in my size, though of course a free Saeco team bike would be gratefully received........
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