Originally Posted by
Markeologist
Back in mid to late 80s, the Bike Haus in Merced Calif specialized in tandems and the owners had a black Colnago tandem that they raced…got smoked by them a few times. I’ve seen other Colnago tandems over the years at tandem rallies and other events so I don’t think they are super rare.
I don’t see Specialized turning to Colnago or anywhere in Europe for a bike…USA or Japan. They already had bought Ritchey Mtn Bikes, so why not get a Ritchey road tandem which is superior to anything out of Italy in my not so humble opinion.
3Rensho would also be more to Specialized’s liking than a Colnago. For those interested,
there has been a 3Rensho tandem for sale on Craigslist in Bay Area, very cheap, like less than $500.00. Too big for me (23/20) otherwise I would have snatched it up.
The Colnago tandems are rare. All 11 built are known and we talk to each other.
According to Geoff, his Colnago tandem is like 1982. Geoff also owns some Eisentraut and Bruce Gordon. In fact he has a couple of his bikes on display at the Marin museum.
I don't doubt his word. I'm just surprised by it.
As to Ritchey, those tandems are simply art. I have another buddy with one and it is gorgeous. But what year did Specialized buy Ritchie? It was roughly from around '97/98 to maybe 1999/2000. Specialized and Ritchey had come to some sort of agreement to be business partners around that time, this was before Specialized morphed into the super-giant it is today.
Geoff's Colnago/Specialized tandem would have been before Ritchie was involved other than inspiration for the Stumpjumper.
Somebody mentioned pictures. I'm waiting for Geoff to send me some.
Meanwhile, here is a Lighthouse tandem (blowing out the Tim Neenan doesn't make tandems argument) and my own Colnago tandem. (photo credit: Bikeshearer)