Getting a new tandem for a noob.
Hello!
I had a Raleigh Pursuit tandem that was way to big for us, but we made it work somehow. we've put on a great many miles but now im in the market for a new one and have realized that these days its on Co-Motion and Santana.
I spoke with someone at Santana a few times and I like them if for nothing else, their knowledge and ability to have human conversation.
Co-Motion just briefly replied and said look at the carrera model.
Because of the limited availability of tandems at the local dealers, I have come to determine that I either need to go down with my fiancee and visit one of these dealers that does have one 2-4 hours away, or just buy one online and have it built for us.
I have talked myself into spending ~$10k on a eScape with the 'pro-build kit' and do a 3 tone paint... While I am very well away that is a good chunk of money, I also acknowledge I will be keeping it for years.
During my mental acrobatics selling myself a used car in the form of a bike I found a localish dealer that happens to have shuttered their business as they are moving out of state for retirement, taking advantage of the CA bay area prices- I don't blame him.
He has a Sovereign in small for ~$2600 and a eScape in medium for ~$4500. He said the small would be just fine for me and for our riding (20-60 miles at a time), we would never notice the difference between the two models and to just go for the Sovereign.
I appreciate his willingness to not upsell me, but would I be selling myself short on an already great discount i'm getting?
To me the specs are damn near the same and the real price difference is in the fame?
I appreciate you all in advance!
-Ben
Specs below:
Specs on Sovereign:
Model – Frame: Sovereign tandem, Scandium, Small. Color: Candy Yellow over Red
Fork: Santana Chrome V-Brake. Allows up to 42mm tire
Shifters / brake levers: 3 x 10 - Ultegra 6703 shifters for mechanical brakes
Brakes: Front: Single digit v-brake, Rear: Bengal MB 700 Tandem w/10” disc
Front derailleur: Ultegra triple 6700-3
Rear derailleur: Shimano XT GS (medium cage)
Crankset: Santana carbon with modular spider, 175 and 170, Shimano Octalink
Drive rings and cogs: Chainrings: FSA 53/39/30, cogs: Deore XT 11-36
Wheelset: Spynergy Xaero with white spokes
Tires: Continental Gatorskin 32mm
Captain stem: Control Tech, 1-1/4” x 31.8
Captain handlebar: Santana drop, round alloy, 31.8mm
Stoker stem: Control-tech 29.8 x 31.8 bar
Stoker handlebars: Santana alloy bullhorn
Seat posts: Santana alloy 29.8mm
Saddles: Terry chromoly Fly and Butterfly
Headset: Tange Sekai Technoglide threadless 1-1/4”
Specs on eScape:
Model – Frame: EScape tandem, Scandium, Medium. Color: Candy Red over Silver
Fork: Santana Carbon V-Brake. Allows up to 42mm tire
Shifters / brake levers: 2 x 10 - Ultegra 6703 shifters for mechanical brakes
Brakes: Front: Single digit v-brake, Rear: Bengal MB 700 Tandem w/10” disc
Front derailleur: Ultegra double 6700-2
Rear derailleur: Shimano XT SGS (long cage)
Crankset: Santana carbon with modular spider, 170 and 170, Shimano Octalink
Drive rings and cogs: Chainrings: FSA 50/34, cogs: Deore XT 11-40
Wheelset: Spynergy Xaero with white spokes
Tires: Continental Gatorskin 28mm OR 32mm (not sure)
Captain stem: Control Tech, 1-1/4” x 31.8
Captain handlebars: Santana drop, round alloy, 31.8mm - might be carbon
Stoker stem: Control-tech 29.8 x 31.8 bar
Stoker handlebars: Santana alloy bullhorn - might be carbon
Seat posts: Santana alloy 29.8mm
Saddles: Terry chromoly Fly and Butterfly
Headset: Tange Sekai Technoglide threadless 1-1/4”