What Tandems available

[racman]

Thinking about starting Tandem in summer (after a test ride with the better half). Anyone know what is available in SA and price? 

[GaryKZN]

Bought a 2nd hand tandem from Hype - also a hubber, who is in CT. The other half and I love it, so do the kids...did our first offical race ....The Tour Durban in 4h41min, battled due to lack of fittnes, but will not sell it for anything yet...did not fight once...really... it is a Trek 2000.

 

Regards 

[mdk555]

Racman ? all depends on how hard you want to ride the tandem. The cheap tandems (and they are available from +- R 6 000.00) are best for little social rides to the beach/pub and back. Push them hard and you will pick up problems from BB?s to chains etc and will cost you some big bucks to upgrade.

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The other side of the coin is the more expensive ones (R 18 ? R 25 000) and they are the best to race and maybe the only upgrade you need are racing wheels. My first 2.5 cents is go to a bike shop that knows tandems. Second 2.5 cent is pick the middle route like the Ravo (I own one) or the Raleigh  (+- R 14 000.000 as they great bikes, have good to great components, good to attempt racing. Good luck and PM me if you need some more help.

 

My final advice ? don?t compromise on the components/group set.

[homer]

Racman, used mdk s advice and bought a Ravo, since then stopped spending on the upkeep of the cheaper model which we used to ride.  You can also ask him about tyres etc he knows what its all about

[Joss]

Racman only three tandems worth looking at if you are serious about it. Trek Tandem not too shabby but expensive. Ravo from CCS retailing at about R 13 000.00. Good value for money tandem and the the mother of all tandems as voted world wide is the Cannondale. Retailing at about R 25 000.00. Hope it helps.

[Joss]

PS Racman. The Ravo and the Cannondale has the same components as CCS only does one Tandem kit for both Cannondale and Ravo.

[mdk555]

Racman' date=' used mdk s advice and bought a Ravo, since then stopped spending on the upkeep of the cheaper model which we used to ride.  You can also ask him about tyres etc he knows what its all about[/quote'] Very happy with the Ravo but my only suggestion is get the dealer put decent saddles on and then dont go for the standard H2O holders, buy the side side entry ones.

 

Tyres: Conti gators - there is no other choice. Big tip is to sludge the tubes and run front pressure 9.0 bar and back 9.5 which is more than enough for a combined weight of 200kg

[mdk555]

PS Racman. The Ravo and the Cannondale has the same components as CCS only does one Tandem kit for both Cannondale and Ravo.

Both makes are great but with a huge price differance.

 

 

[mdk555]

Anyone know what is available in SA and price? 

Phone Cape Cycle Systems who are the agents and they can tell you who has stock otherwise if you a Capie,  give WW ( 082 413 8935) a call as he is a tandem rider, has a bike shop and always keen to do a good deal.

[Mudsimus]

I rode on both the ravo and cannondale, both are great tandems, but I found the cannondale more comfortable especially when standing.

[rad006]

I have a Cannondale to which I ordered with Hydraulic Disk brakes which I consider to be a necessity when it comes to stopping.

[Mudsimus]

I agree with the hydro discs. I once rode down one of the lesotho passes with almost no brakes. My partner is bursting tubes on a regular basis from prolonged braking. Not nice when your doing 80km/h

[Guest Big H]

Nobody mentioned the Raleigh R6000 Tandem It has a solid groupset, has a frame made by Kinesis in Taiwan and is super strong. In my opinion a far better frame than the Ravo. Kinesis initially made tandem frames for cannondale.

 

Frame:	Kinesis Superlight 7005 Butted Alloy
Fork:	Carbon Blade with Chromoly Steerer
Components:	Shimano 105 30 Speed Shimano 40H Hubs with Mavic A719 Rims Deda Elementi Big Logo Stem Clipless Pedals

CRANKSET

Truvativ Elita T5.5, 52-39-30T

SIZES

L/S (50.8CM), X/M (58.8CM

Big H2007-05-02 06:46:20

[rad006]

I agree with the hydro discs. I once rode down one of the lesotho passes with almost no brakes. My partner is bursting tubes on a regular basis from prolonged braking. Not nice when your doing 80km/h

 

Thats the problem to many people overheat the rim which causes the tube to burst and well crash boom bang!

[racman]

Hey BigH, if I get a Tandem I'm going to have a big problem - I will have to ride Shimano  (seems to be the way to go with Tandem). (Don't tell EB anyone)

 

I am also building up my road frame that I bought and, if I am also going to buy a Tandem I will have to seriously think about going Shimano on the road bike as well. (I am beginning to think this is a communist plot!

[EdoardoBianchi]

Whatever you do: DO NOT THINK OF MECH DISCS! I almost lost my life (and/or partner) with these on a long downhill...