Santana Cycles Inc. 2001 Sovereign SE

Price Paid:  $4400.00 at Tandems, Ltd of Birm

Favorite Ride:
Out in the country

Bike Setup:
Standard Santana 2001 components, mainly Shimano Ultegra 9 speed.

Summary:
My road bikes are a 1981 Masi and a Merlin Extralight. The Santana enables my wife and I to travel faster than I typically cruise on the Masi, maybe not quite as fast as the Merlin. The ride is smooooth. We chose this tandem over the Cannondale after riding both. Quality is excellent for frame, components, paint. I really like the Shimano Flight Deck as an option. Our unit is a 2001 model with Ultegra 9 speed package. After 8 months of use, no complaints... I would purchase the same tandem again if I had it to do over.

Strengths:
Smooth ride, fast, easy to handle, high quality throughout. Excellent paint.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
This is our first tandem. We test drove a Cannondale, but only briefly.

Price Paid:  $4200.00 at Richardson Bike Mart

Bike Setup:
Ultegra and Deore XT.
Aerospoke wheels.

Summary:
The wife and I are having a great time on this bike. We purchased the Aerospoke wheels to stiffen things up even more. The only downside to the Aerospoke setup occurs during heavy cross winds. But overall, no real complaints.

This bike just flies. I would recommend it for any tandem roadie wanting to ride fast. If you are a Sunday afternoon rider, don't buy this bike . . . it would be more than you need.

Santana and Richardson Bike Mart have been great!

Strengths:
Low maint. bike, stiff, fast!

Weaknesses:
???

Similar Products Used:
My first tandem. I grew up riding mountain bikes, but now I am a regular roadie. I don't race competitively, but I can hold my own.

Price Paid:  $3800.00 at from Santana direct

Favorite Ride:
Any long road ride with hills and curves

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105 STI shifters, FD, XTR RD, Wheelsmith wheels with Hadley racing hubs

Summary:
My bike is a 1999 Sovereign.

A super package that I have gotten alot of enjoyment from. The bike is extremely well built and the handling is excellent. As a road racer I appreciate the way this bike corners when you have a good stoker riding with you.

The ride comfort is excellent and I really don't think the suspension seatpost for the stoker is necessary. I would like to upgrade to 9 speed and I may go to bar end shifters. I would also like to upgrade to lighter wheels and Santana's carbon fork. Both upgrades should take over 2 lbs. out of the bike.

My only gripe is the 1-1/4" standard used for the steerer tube on the fork. You will not find any aftermarket stems (I haven't) other than those available from Santana. Chris King and Cane Creek make cartridge bearing headsets and that is a good upgrade for this bike also as the standard Tange/Aheadset requires maintenance at least once a year and is not as smooth or light.

Strengths:
Excellent quality, solid components, good factory support, fantastic ride and handling

Weaknesses:
Married to Santana on some components and upgrades

Similar Products Used:
None