Tandem Choice

Hi,

I have the chance to buy a Raleigh Pursuit tandem new for $1400 or an older
Trek T200 (1995) in great condition for $1200. Is anyone familiar with these
tandems, or who might have favorite?

Any advice would be very welcome.

Best,

John

Go for the new bike. Better equipment, will fit better, warranty, lighter.
Seems like a no brainer to me
Garry

"John Carlarne" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have the chance to buy a Raleigh Pursuit tandem new for $1400 or an
older
Trek T200 (1995) in great condition for $1200. Is anyone familiar with
these
tandems, or who might have favorite?

Any advice would be very welcome.

Best,

John

"garry nold" wrote in message hlink.net...
Go for the new bike. Better equipment, will fit better, warranty, lighter.
Seems like a no brainer to me
Garry

Wow, talk about sweeping generalizations. Why does that fact that the
Raleigh is new mean it'll fit better, be lighter or have better
equipment?? I'll concede the warranty point though. Adjusted for
inflation the new cost of the Trek T200 is something like 2.5 times
that of the Raleigh -- and it was still considered a mid level tandem.
A $1,400 new tandem these days is at the lowest possible price point
of a tandem available at a bike shop and must by necessity make a lot
of equipment compromises to come in at that point. I'd be surprised
if the equipment on the new $1,400 Raleigh is any better than what
you'd get on a new $400 "comfort bike".

I'm not familiar with that particular model by Raleigh (the Pursuit),
so perhaps they've gone upscale on that model, but otherwise the
Raleigh tandems of recent years are pretty much intended for the
"toodle down to the Dairy Queen at the end of the block" crowd.
That's fine, if that's your intended riding. Trek's tandems from that
era are actually very well thoughtout and well spec'ed, but it is a
used bike so you need to be careful and make sure it's in good
condition. If I remember right the T200 had a double butted True
Temper frame, the equal of any steel available for building tandems at
that point. The equipment will be "tandem rated" -- XT and such.
Drivetrain will likely be a triple up front with a wide-range 7 speed
cassette in back. The 7 speed stuff shifts as well as anything, is
very durable and is still serviceable. The Trek was, and still is, a
serious tandem that's appropriate for fast club rides, centuries,
loaded touring or even toodling down to the Dairy Queen. Seems like a
no brainer to me!

Cheers,

-Jack


"John Carlarne" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have the chance to buy a Raleigh Pursuit tandem new for $1400 or an
older
Trek T200 (1995) in great condition for $1200. Is anyone familiar with
these
tandems, or who might have favorite?

Any advice would be very welcome.

Best,

John

Jack,
I own and ride a tandem. I have riden both a Trek T200 and the Reliegh
Pursuit.
I happen to sell the Raliegh so yes I am a little biased. As far as fit, the
used Trek is only 1 size, the New Raliegh is available in 3.
As far as equipment, I would take new 105 level equipment any day over 6-10
year old Deore/xt rear der.
I in no way put down the tTrek, they were fine tandems. They are not as good
as the new Raliegh though.
I still say it's a no brainer. The bike is lighter, has equipment on it that
will work better, is available in 3 sizes so the Raliegh has a better chance
of fitting, new bike warranty and the most important part, the price is much
better. I would value a 6-10 year old T200's value at less then $1000. If
the Trek was an $800 bike, then we would be having a different discussion.
At this point I would consider the Trek, if it fit;-)

Does that clear up the mud?
Garry

"Jack" wrote in message
m...
"garry nold" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Go for the new bike. Better equipment, will fit better, warranty,
lighter.
Seems like a no brainer to me
Garry

Wow, talk about sweeping generalizations. Why does that fact that the
Raleigh is new mean it'll fit better, be lighter or have better
equipment?? I'll concede the warranty point though. Adjusted for
inflation the new cost of the Trek T200 is something like 2.5 times
that of the Raleigh -- and it was still considered a mid level tandem.
A $1,400 new tandem these days is at the lowest possible price point
of a tandem available at a bike shop and must by necessity make a lot
of equipment compromises to come in at that point. I'd be surprised
if the equipment on the new $1,400 Raleigh is any better than what
you'd get on a new $400 "comfort bike".

I'm not familiar with that particular model by Raleigh (the Pursuit),
so perhaps they've gone upscale on that model, but otherwise the
Raleigh tandems of recent years are pretty much intended for the
"toodle down to the Dairy Queen at the end of the block" crowd.
That's fine, if that's your intended riding. Trek's tandems from that
era are actually very well thoughtout and well spec'ed, but it is a
used bike so you need to be careful and make sure it's in good
condition. If I remember right the T200 had a double butted True
Temper frame, the equal of any steel available for building tandems at
that point. The equipment will be "tandem rated" -- XT and such.
Drivetrain will likely be a triple up front with a wide-range 7 speed
cassette in back. The 7 speed stuff shifts as well as anything, is
very durable and is still serviceable. The Trek was, and still is, a
serious tandem that's appropriate for fast club rides, centuries,
loaded touring or even toodling down to the Dairy Queen. Seems like a
no brainer to me!

Cheers,

-Jack


"John Carlarne" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have the chance to buy a Raleigh Pursuit tandem new for $1400 or an
older
Trek T200 (1995) in great condition for $1200. Is anyone familiar with
these
tandems, or who might have favorite?

Any advice would be very welcome.

Best,

John