i just came across this bike and at $2,680.00AUD compared to the TREK520 at $2,200.00AUD it looks very very interesting. That be said, I'm not sure about the quality of the components and would appreciate some feedback. It has be said that I love the fact it has S&S coupling.


https://www.bilenky.com/prod39spcl05.html

They make awesome tandems - I have one. Reputation to make great single bike - but these comonents other than the cranks are not very good I wouldn't but them on any of my bikes!!!!

Bilenky makes a great tandem but this bike is lacking in the most important area and that is the wheels. 520 has Lx hubs and Bontrager Fairlane rims. The Bilenky has Sora hubs with Alex ACE rims. The Bilenky has the crankset right but most shops will swap out the 105 for a MTb or Sugino XD set anyhow. The Bilenky is a step down on the derailluers also .
IMO ,with the Bilenky you are buying more name than quality

this bike looks to be a carbon copy of the jamis aurora, which sells for U.S.$400 less.
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/06_aurora.html

unless you need the s&s couplers, i 'd probably pass on this one. very mediocre, in spite of the advertising copy. for the extra u.s.$1,100 that the travel version costs, you could get the jamis, get and have someone weld on the couplers, re-do the paint, buy your own hardcase, and still have enough money left for a round-trip international flight.

I would go for the Trek for the above reasons. The components are far better. For a bike w/ BTCs it is a good value but by the time you upgraded your components, particularly your wheels, it would no longer look like that great of a deal.