counselguy
new member
Reged: 08/25/06
Posts: 4
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I need some advice. I have ridden a 2006 Santana Team Nobium for 1,000 miles. After going through a lot of fit help, I am still not satisfied with its comfort.
I have been giving a lot of thought to getting a Calfee Tetra Tandem. Has anyone out there had a Santana steel bike, and then gotten a Calfee Tandem?
If so, I wonder how you like the Calfee, whether it was worth the price difference from the Santana, and what advice you could give me in moving ahead with a decision.
I have specified Dura Ace, Chris King headset, couplers. A lot of Money!! However, that is why I want to make sure it is worth it.
Is the more comfortable ride, and better handling and endurance part of the advantages? Are there others?
Thanks!!
John Lee
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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What problems are you having with the fit? When it gets down to it, anyone who has a bike that fits them properly, no matter whether it's a cheap beater or a high-end custom bike will be happy with their ride. A Calfee, properly set up for you so you fit right on it will make a difference. There are intangibles involved, though, in buying any high-end bike. It's up to you to decide whether those intangibles are valuable enough to justify the cost for you.
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Mike
contributor
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Oregon
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The wife and I just finished a 70 mile ride on our Tetra-Tetra a couple of hours ago. The legs are tired, but everything else feels good.
We looked long and hard at Santana, and had to decide between the Nobium (I think it used to be called something else) and the Calfee, and decided on the Calfee because it was much more comfortable. We did a 20 mile test ride on the Santana, then rode a Calfee the next day. It only took a few miles to realize that the ride quality and comfort were vastly superior. Nothing against Santana, they make great tandems, but the calfee was much more comfortable. We have had it for 4 years, and have not had any quality or durability issues. The only thing that was frustrating was the 6 month wait for it to be built. Luckily, I hear long leadtimes are a thing of the past.
Ours has couplers as well, and we are unable to feel any difference in the ride.
The bike handles much quicker than a Santana. Whether you like that or not is personal preference. We found that it feels very much like a Co-motion as far as the handling is concerned, so if you have the option to test ride a Co-motion, you should be able to get a feel for how the Calfee will handle.
Ours is outfitted much the way you want to do yours:
Calfee Tetra-Tetra size S-S, with couplers, nude finish
AlphaQ tandem fork
DuraAce Triple 9 Groupset with DuraAce 10 brakes and FSA cranks
Chris King Hubs with Mavic CXP-33 rims and DT AlpineIII spokes, 36R, 32F
ITM carbon Seatposts with Terry saddles
There is a picture of it in the Calfee photo gallery labled Mike and Ellen's Tetra-Tetra.
Hope that helps,
Mike France
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counselguy
new member
Reged: 08/25/06
Posts: 4
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Thanks Mike for your prompt reply and helpful information. Pat from Tandem Cycle Works in Colorado was a Santana dealer until just the last two years. I know he has had some of the same problems with them I have had, and is much higher on the Co-motion than the Santana.
I was also told that a Santana tends to not be as responsive as a Calfee or Co-Motion. I thought about a Co-Motion but just don't want to get a steel or aluminum bike. I looked at the Sevens Cycles, but the cost is as much as the Calfee so I would rather have carbon.
I am very glad to hear that your bike has held up well. I am also interested in one with couplers, and they have priced it at $12,500 with the travel cases - Yikes! It is amazing to me that a bike can cost as much as a Harley Davidson or other brand of motorcycle. I guess it is due to low volume.
I would probably get a clear coat finish on the carbon. Any concerns or issues I should know about when working with Calfee on the order?
John
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counselguy
new member
Reged: 08/25/06
Posts: 4
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I continue to have problems with right hand and arm numbness. I have changed the stem but am still having problems getting the right stance on the bike. Unfortunately my LBS has not been that helpful. THey are very nice, but they can't seem to fix the problem. I also had a fit appointement for $150 but that didn't do too much good.
What are the intangibles you mentioned?
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Intangibles are things you can't touch. The feeling you get when you look at the workmanship of anything, for example.
As far as ride quality, there are many variables, and one technically inclined can talk about those things and understand the ramifications of a millimeter here and there on whatever measurement they are talking about.
Fit issues are specific. Sounds to me that you lean more on your right hand than the left. It is adviseable to see an a fitter that knows about excercise physiology. There are too many things about human differences, and not being a doctor, I couldn't hazard a guess as to what will help you. I can, however, give you an idea of an approach you might take:
As I like to ride long distances bike fit is very important to me. What is a minor issue on a short ride becomes major on a long ride. I have a knee problem, right knee, where occasionally it swells up on me when doing physical activity. I have pain in that knee frequently. Starting to ride I had to favor that knee and developed pain in my left knee as a result. I had to learn to balance my effort, using both legs equally. Currently I don't have a problem with my right knee. I attribute that to devloping my muscles well enough to hold my joint in place as it needs to be.
On my back issue, I have a compressed disc in my spine. I cannot sit too far upright on a bike. I also have limited flexibility, so I can't get into a deep crouch. Having a bit of a protuding belly doesn't help me either. I have the correct reach and bar height on my bike. If my legs are weak, however, my upper body suffers on a long ride as I put more weight on my arms.
For me, taking into account the issues I have, when I ride I am aware of my balance and make a conscious effort to use all of my muscles equally. Part of the knowledge I've gained is from a fitter who knows excercize physiology that observed my riding, interviewed me well, and recommended a custom geometry as being proper for me. His help set me on a path of self-healing excercise. This approach may not work well for anyone else.
Being that it is one side of your body that takes most of your weight, it is possible that you might learn to balance your weight using the left side of your body better. I don't know, but let us know if that is helpful for you.
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Mike
contributor
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Oregon
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Counselguy,
Calfee is usually willing to do whatever you ask as far as headtube length, tube stiffness, brake mounting options. etc. Ask your LBS for a copy of Calfee's tandem order form and research your options. If anything is confusing, Email Craig Calfee, he is usually very quick to answer technical questions. As far as the finish goes, Nude is not necessarily the prettiest way to go, but it is very durable. The clear coat can scratch or chip just like any other paint, and carbon is more susceptable to paint damage (in my experience)than metal.
The only other recommendation I would make is to make sure you get your fit issues ironed out before you order.
Mike
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