Kevin Kruger's recent post regarding this tandem:
did tempt me, even though I'd never get to PA to ride it.<g> I like Pogliaghis so much I might have gone for the deal anyway.
Those who might be interested in this tandem should be aware of a couple of things: the c-c length of the captain seat-tube is not very useful in determining if the bike will be a good fit; the standover height is a better measure in assessing fit.
Also note that the bb's on these tandems (and most tandems) tend to be quite high, so standover will be even higher for a given seat-tube length...and, finally, note that to make room for the stoker tem, the saddle will have to be raised a minimum height that's higher than it would be on a single bike...
A perfect fit is less important on a tandem, but in a tandem like this, it's probably a good idea to get close to a good 70s-racing-style fit.
Make sure your stoker doesn't have a long torso, or he/she is going to be burrowing into your mid-back in use...
all these obvious things to consider, but easy to overlook in one's desire for a rare beast like this. I'm sorely tempted and I HAVE one already!
But, then, my motto is, while it is possible to have too many bikes, it is NOT possible to have too many Pogliaghis..<g>
This one seems nice enough that even as a wall-hanger, it'd be worth having.
I've ridden three Pogliaghi tandems, two road, one track, and all three are very sporty..very smooth on the road and track, but they do not have the same docile manners of, say, a good Jack Taylor. You have to steer them all the time, and riding hands-free is virtually impossible.
Still, they are quite rideable, and while not competitive with modern tandems in terms of road manners and overall performance, are still a great deal of fun to ride. Carmen and I have kept up nicely with some fast riders on ours, down Pacific Coast Highway, although we were using sew-up wheels, the time I'm thinking of, and that one ride destroyed our rear wheel..<g> sew-ups on tandems require robust rims and heavy-guage spokes.
Charles Andrews
SoCal