metal_cowboy

I currently ride a Co Motion Big Al tandem. The bike rides great, but at 6'4" even the xl size is a bit small. I saw that the new Cannondale tandem is more my size, and I really like the idea of the Avid Disc Brakes. My Co Motion set me back 5k, the Cannondale looks like it sells for about half that. Is it possible that there is much difference between the two bikes? I am willing to give up some of the performance of the Co Motion in exchange for a better fitting ride.

pel

Interested to see how this pans out Metal Boy. Cannot offer any advice. Have a $500 stake in the L/S but only due to pick up in LA in April.

Doggus

If that Big Al rides like our Speedster...no way in hell I'd exchange. CoMos are awesome rides.

ElRey

I've got a CO MOtion Speedster and a Cdale road. There's no comparing the two: the Cdale is a nice knock-around tandem, but the Co MOtion is a real racing machine. There's a reason for the cost differential and you'll feel it immediately. How big is your stem? Have you tried other stems and seatpost arrangements?

PaMTBRider

I am 6'3" and we currently ride a Co-Motion Co-Pilot. Our first tandem was a Cannondale. I would agree that the Cannondale would probably fit you better. There is a very noticeable difference in the ride between the two bikes. The Cannondale is a very stiff frame and will transmit more road shock to you and your stoker. I believe that the Santana XL frames are larger than the stock frames offered through Co-Motion. This might be another option if you don't want the expense of having someone custom build you a tandem in your size.

TandemGeek

Some folks swear by Cannondale's tandems, others swear at them; you'd really need to ride one to discover which camp you might fall into. It's quite possible that you could find the Cannondale's performance to be "good enough" to justify a better fit... then again, it may reaffirm that what you need is a new Co-Motion, but one that is properly sized for you and your stoker.

As has been mentioned before, high-end bicycles seem really expensive when looked at simply as the sum of its parts. However, often times the "value" can exceed the cost and/or put you way ahead of any other "hobby" or activity that you might choose to pursue instead of cycling in terms of real out of pocket expense.

gregm

I have not ridden a c'dale or a co-mo, but I can't imagine enjoying riding a bike that doesn't fit.

Maybe original poster can sell the current co-mo and put the money toward another equally-nice bike that fits?

Good luck!
-Greg

Old Hammer Boy

We ride an '05 C'Dale M/S road tandem. I'm 5'9, wiffie is 5'6. The '06 is essentially the same bike except for tires and FD. After getting things dialed in, it's been quite an enjoyable steed. I've never ridden a co-mo, and I understand they are excellent, too. It's hard to stay in business if you produce inferior products. We are very happy with our 'Dale, did 3 century rides with it last fall and many other miles of general riding. It's actually a smoother ride than our Trek 2100s (half bikes) for both me, the captain, and my stoker wife. We both have 2100s. In case you don't know, the 2100 has carbon forks, post and stays, so it's a good smooth ride.

The disc brakes are really a plus in my opinion and stop really well in all sorts of weather. They have been excellent, work well and are easy to maintain-a real plus as I see it. I like Ultegra components and the Hugi/Mavic wheels are good, solid products. BTW, some of our riding friends took second place in the Lotoja (211 mile race) last summer on their Cannondal road Tandem. Lotoja is a large citizen race, going from Logan, UT to Jackson, Wy. So, I'll let the performance level of this experience speak for itself.

Again, I can't compare the 'Dale to the co-mo, but my experience has been excellent. I think Tandem Geek has made some good points of comparison in previous threads. I know everyone likes to support their own decisions, so I'm sure you'll get any number of opinions, and aren't we lucky to have so many excellent products to choose from? I hope this information is helpful. Good riding regardless of your choice. OHB

zonatandem

Co-Mo offers a wide range of models in steel & alu. + fancy fork/wheel options and custom sizing/builds. Also offers rear disc brakes.
C'dale has road/mountain versions in alu only . . . but does have the size you seem to need without the extra expen$e of getting custom sizing on a Co-Mo. Then there is a much larger price variance in Co-Mos compared to C'dale offerings.
Would suggest to do a long test ride on C'dale as a comparison.
Ultimately proper fit will equate into a more comfortable riding position for pilot but handling/performance will have to be judged by the 2-of-you.
Ah, at least there are choices!

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

ElRey

dude, your Co MO has a 59cm toptube. Granted the size Jumbo Cdale has a longer one, but I know a lot of guys your size racing bikes with 59 toptubes. What length is your stem? How far back is your saddle? Maybe a fit issue? That's certainly cheaper than buying something else. The Cdale has about an inch more toptube; if you had a 100mm stem as an example, you'd get the same effect (better handling as well in my opinion) buying a 120-130 stem. For $50....

metal_cowboy

Here is my issues with the fit. First is the shorter top tube. A 59cm top tube just does not work for me. My two road bikes have 60cm top tubes, and both have 120mm stems. I also ride brooks saddles. The brooks saddles do not have the ability to be set back as much as traditional saddles, thus the need for a longer top tube and longer stem.

Secondly, I have my single bikes set up with a level handlebar/seat height. This is the "rivendell way" of setting up a bike; and it works great for me. There is no way for me to get my Co Motion to come close to the level handlebar/seat set up. I have tried an extention for the steerer tube: it looked stupid and did not work for me. I have a 17 degree stem on the bike now, and still have about a 2" difference between the seat and handlebars.

I guess I am looking for more comfort than performance with my tandem. After all, I would not trade my Surly touring bike for a new Trek 5200......man , I must be getting old.

galen_52657

First think I did setting up my tandem after getting the seat height equal to my single was getting the seat offset (distance behind the saddle) as close as I could. I could not quite match because of .5* of difference between the angles, but is within a half inch or so.

Then using an LOOK Ergo adjustable stem, I got the reach and drop to match my single within 2mm (I ride with the bars much lower than the saddle, so that may be easier for me). The LOOK Ergo stem is adjustable to 150mm length and tons of rise (or fall).

You have some options before springing for a new bike. First, it sounds like the fork on the CoMo was cut. If you got a new fork you could raise the stem higher. Also, Santana makes a 150mm stem, but it is for their larger steer so you would have to have a shim made. You could also get a custom stem from Salsa or somebody else. You might also search for a MTB stem as they can be had very long with a lot of rise. You can just file the bar clamp a smidgen and a 26.0 bar will fit.

zonatandem

Perhaps getting a new fork (c/f or steel) with ^uncut^ steerer tube (as Galen suggested) could solve the height issue,;plus Co-Mo does sell an adjustable *pilot* stem or go for the Ergo Look stem. Between the two, you may get a proper height/reach fit without having to scarifice your present tandem.
Just our opinion.

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

ElRey

so you get a 135 and turn it over: gives you the extra centimeter you need and some more height(that's EXACTLY what I run on my CO MO in the summer: great handling).

rrepp

since you want comfort i think there's a very reasonable and easy solution. i think weyless makes a 45 degree stem. get on as long as they make make it and that should get you the two inches you need to make the bars the same height as the seat. this will put you in a more upright position which should lessen the space you need from bars to seat. also try a terry butterfly gel seat, which is very comfortqble and will allow you to move the seat further back on the mount wqhich will give you the inch or so you need there. just those two changes will get you very near where you seem to need to be. you could also wrap you bars with gel handlebar tape which will give you an additional hal an inch vertically on the bars.you can find the terry gel fly seat for around 70 or 80 bucks and the weyless stems are veryi reasonable. give these changes a try and i think you will be pleasantly surprised at how god the fit is. certaqinly a much better option than selling your bike and getting a cannondale. hope i helped some
bob