I have a Trek T 2000 and I think its a great bike. My wife and I ride it about 1000 miles a year and last year took it fully loaded on a 435 trip on the Natchez Trace. The bike performed flawlessly. I do have to agree about the brake squeal however. It doesn't happen all the time, but just sometimes. I don't think you have to spend over $4,000 to have an excellent tandem.