That's all that really counts. After all, the point of diminishing returns on tandems is probably somewhere around $3,500... and it's a pretty steep slope thereafter.

I think we may have set a personal best for downhill speed with our most recent acquisition but did so with our eyes wide open. No, our new tandem is not 3x - 4x 'better' than our '95/'96 Santana Arriva, but we're still quite pleased with it and have no regrets. The same has been true of all of our tandem and bicycle acquisitions. I / we buy them because we want to and have the means.

However, as much as I enjoy tinkering with the hardware, what really makes tandeming special is priceless: the time spent sharing the ride.

Ride what you like, and like what you ride... but above all else, enjoy the ride.