Cannondale RT3000

Price Paid:  $3200.00 at REI, Berkeley

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Hamilton loop

Bike Setup:
Changed seats to Avocet O2 his and her saddles. Changed tires to 28C from 32C. Installed Avid disc rear brake with large rotor as third brake actuated with right brake lever. Consequently, setup both rim brakes to be actuated with left brake lever. Replaced captain's stem with a shorter one.

Summary:
A great bike. I'd been pretty happy with Cannondale single bikes so was comfortable making the plunge into the tandem world with this bike. I considered the lower spec RT1000 but knowing how hard tandems are on parts I felt I'd rather pay for better parts up front than have do deal with them breaking on the road or not performing as well as I'd like. It's been about a year now and the bike (and tandeming in general) has exceeded my high expectations.

Strengths:
Super rigid frame. We can stand on climbs either individually or together and the frame doesn't wince or fishtail. Replaceable derailleur hanger. Awesome wheels. 40 spoke DT Hugi Tandem disc compatible hubs with Mavic M520 rims.

Weaknesses:
Took a while to warm up to the tri color paint job.

Similar Products Used:
Ridden on a friend's custom Mikkelsen tandem a couple of times.

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Mtn. Bike Specialist

Favorite Ride:
Mtn. descents

Bike Setup:
After replacing both saddles, I installed a Magura Gustav M rear brake, stoker actuated, for superb

Summary:
This frame is typically stiff, fat tubed aluminum that works really well in the tandem application. Ride is quite comfotable without significant longitudinal flex down the timing chain/boom tube. With a combined weight of 320 lbs. we are not the lightest tandem team, but we are tall, and the tall bike is stiff and fast.

Strengths:
Mostly quality componentry, well chosen, for go fast riding. This is a lot of bike for the money

Weaknesses:
Stock saddles had to be replaced first thing. Front wheel is disc hub, but the fork will not accept disc caliper. Definitely undergeared on the big end for mountain riding, though the small gears will get a strong team over most anything.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Tandem RT3000 2002, Ultegra front 54/42/30, back 11-34, SPD pedals

Summary:
Living in North Carolina biking the rolling hills my wife and I were looking for a workout together. After having two road bikes it became apparent to get a tandem. After intensive research and riding different models we decided to buy a RT3000 from Cannondale. It has met every expectation to the maximum so far. We enjoy the workout together immensely.

Strengths:
The core to this tandem is it's light but very stiff frame. It turns without wobbling and the force to the pedals goes straight to the wheels. Using double sided SPD pedals starting and stopping is very easy. The back comes with "horns" as handle bar. This gives my wife a very comfortable position. In addition we mounted a seat post (like seen on triathlon bikes) bottle holder right under her handle bars. This helps from leaving the bars to get a bottle. The back comes prepared for a screw on disk break. We will add this feature ones we hit more mountains or go touring.

Weaknesses:
Almost none. However it strikes us that the front wheel comes ready for a disk break but the fork is not??? We also upgraded the front 52-ring to a 54. On the flat terrain with 2 strong riders you'll run out of gears with a 52-11 very quickly.