New tandem
09-23-23, 02:33 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
New tandem
Hi folks
we’re looking at replacing our 2005 Mocha Co-pilot with a new tandem. Over the years I’ve done pretty much everything that can be done to lighten the Mocha but now I’m after a lighter frame as I’m not getting any younger and I’m the one that gets to carry the tandem when we’re travelling overseas.
I’m thinking of either a cycles chinook All Road, Landshark or a Calfee Tetra with 2 sets of S&S couplers, SRAM etap, Lightning cranks etc.
Does anyone have any experience on the durability and weight of these bikes? I’m leaning towards the Calfee, Landshark as they don’t have such a long lead time but nervous about flying regularly with the tandem
we’re looking at replacing our 2005 Mocha Co-pilot with a new tandem. Over the years I’ve done pretty much everything that can be done to lighten the Mocha but now I’m after a lighter frame as I’m not getting any younger and I’m the one that gets to carry the tandem when we’re travelling overseas.
I’m thinking of either a cycles chinook All Road, Landshark or a Calfee Tetra with 2 sets of S&S couplers, SRAM etap, Lightning cranks etc.
Does anyone have any experience on the durability and weight of these bikes? I’m leaning towards the Calfee, Landshark as they don’t have such a long lead time but nervous about flying regularly with the tandem
Last edited by geoffs; 09-23-23 at 02:36 PM.
09-28-23, 05:55 AM
#2
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Sorry, I don't have any experience with light tandems, but Tandems East (it's in the U.S., use Google) sells both the Calfee and the Landshark, I believe. Perhaps you could get in touch with Mel (the owner), and ask him if you could connect with some of his customers? Tandem riders are usually willing to help out, so you may get some that are willing to correspond with you. Mel can be a bit hard to reach (you'll almost certainly have to leave a call-back message), but once you get in touch with him he is willing to talk tandems endlessly.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
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09-29-23, 10:19 AM
#3
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Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
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There are several threads on here for Calfee builds. Our Dragonfly, with Lightning cranks, and a pretty much weight weenie build came in at 24 pounds.
Havent weighed our Tetra, but the frame itself would be a bit less than a pound more. 2 sets of S&S couplers would add a couple of pounds. Disc brakes would ad about a pound and a half.
So My bet would be with the couplers around 28-29 pounds.
Havent weighed our Tetra, but the frame itself would be a bit less than a pound more. 2 sets of S&S couplers would add a couple of pounds. Disc brakes would ad about a pound and a half.
So My bet would be with the couplers around 28-29 pounds.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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09-30-23, 01:41 PM
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Over the years the o.p. has thrown a fair amount of money at their Mocha. It is very likely now within a couple of pounds of a new Landshark or Calfee. There is only so light these builds can get. You can easily pay $12G+ for a fully coupled up custom build in 2023, and to what end? A couple of pounds? If wheels on the carrying case(s) don't do it for the o.p., then flying without a bike and renting one in the destination city will, over time, prove to be the value position. IMO.
