miamiturtleguy

Hello,

I'm ready to buy my first used Entry Level Tandem. I have owned a Sun Beach Cruiser and an old Schwinn with MTN bike tires.

I have found two great deals on local Tandems. One is a 1995 Burley Duet (blue) stored indoors and only ridden 150 miles. The other is a 1998 Cannondale MT 1000 (Jade Green) ridden about 500 miles.

I want to be able to do multi-day long distance tours probably with a trailer rather than cargo bags paniers but I also want to keep up with our friends during charity rides and group rides at 18 mph - 22 mph pace. we would do 40 - 80 miles per day on tours and on weekend rides 30 - 50 miles and a good pace.

I love the look of the Burley and wanted a Road Tandem. I also love steel, I have a Benotto . So, I'm in love with the Burley. However, I'm worried about parts for the Burley since they are only making trailers now. The Cannondale has a great reputation and is very versatile. They are also, asking less for the Cannondale than the Burley - $250 If money is not an issue. Which is the better bike? I will be test riding both this weekend.

CaptainHaddock

First things first will be fit. Then with regard to Burley, the only thing that may be of issue is if that version came with their own eccentric bb, or if it came with a more modern / standard eccentric. I believe that the 1995 series has their own eccentric (and I'm sure someone else will comment), but that's not a huge issue as most of the parts are available. re : https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ley-Eccentrics

miamiturtleguy

Thanks Captain. I've got a call in to Mel at Tandems East. He is going to call back soon. But in the meantime, I'm stuck at work and I've been told someone is going to see the Cannondale before me this evening. Any thoughts on the Cannondale vs Burley? Quality? Parts? Ride Steel vs Aluminum?

CaptainHaddock

I'm afraid I don't have thoughts on either build quality. I ride an Cannondale RT2 2012, and that's my first tandem so it's hard for me to say one way or the other. I will say that as an overarching concept, both seem to be of quite good frame-build quality. I live in Oregon, and see a number of burly singles and a few tandems and have never heard or seen any issues per-se. Same too with the cannondale singles (but if you read around here, no one seems to think poorly of the cannondale tandems).

Steel vs. Alum? That's a religious debate right there my friend. My first road/racing frame was alum, I liked it just fine. When I had a custom built, it was out of steel. I like that more, but I'd argue that's a fit vs ride quality. I don't "feel" like the tandem rides harsher than my steel single, but they are apples and oranges to eachother. Sorry I can't be of more actual help in those areas.

hup

I agree with the captain. Ride them both and check the fit. There are ways to tweak fit, but make sure that the basic fit is there. After that, just go by your instinct (while being as objective as possible). One or the other will grab you. If neither does, then move along. Something else will no doubt come up. I've bought bikes that I thought I "had to jump on", only to realize soon after that I maybe should have passed.

Good luck!
Henry

miamiturtleguy

Thanks Captain. Mel at Tandem East said the Cannondale is the better bike. I like my steel road bike and I like the way the Burley looks We'll see what happens tomorrow.

miamiturtleguy

Thanks Henry. My fear is that both bikes will grab me and then my stoker will grab me too and try to shake some sense and self control into me. I'd love to have one set up as a MTN Tandem and one set up as a Road Tandem if both fit and the prices were right. My stoker might leave me though. lol

CaptainHaddock

And this, this right here is the question for the ages! "Why don't sokers / rear admirals understand our need for more 'x' and that more 'x' is better"?!

I keep on trying to convince her that what we really need is "x".... Anywho, I hope you find the tandem that makes you & your stoker happy and you get to put many miles on it!

tandem rider

If X is the number of bikes someone owns, then the number of bikes needed is X + 1. My guess is the Cdale would be stiffer and faster, the steel Burley will be more forgiving and comfortable on long rides. Agree with the fit being important as is color. Also look for wear on the components. A tandem with worn out components can be $$ to repair.

WPH

Well, what did you get, and how has it worked out? I ask because I am interested in a green MT1000 just now.

WPH

SJX426 

I am interested in which one you purchased, if any. I have a 1994 Burley Duet that is being saved from rust. I think it has low miles. I would not be concerned with parts replacement other than you may be stuck with 27" wheels and the minor disadvantages associated with that size (tire selection) due to the location of the cantelever brakes. Except for the stoker BB spindle, everthing else is easily attainable and TE has that too.

zonatandem

Have ridden Burley and C'dale tandems.
Both are fine. The alu frame will be stiffer/less shock absorbent than steel.
Test ride both of 'em and see which fits/rides the best to suit your team.

stevemtbr

We had a 1995 Burley Rock and Roll soft ride and we did have a problem with frame flex. We are a 400lbs team and the chain would skip on climbs. If you are a lighter team then it may not be much of a problem but yes Burleys were noted for their flexie frames.

merlinextraligh

We had a Burley Duet (1993 IIRC). It was a nice bike, but pretty heavy. ( we rode it for 14 years) I think the aluminum canondale is a better frame (lighter, and less flexy).

But I'd prefer the road bike setup for your intended use, and swapping out components to make the C'dale a road bike is likely cost prohibitive.