Co-Motion Mackinac Road
The Mackinac Road is Co-Motion's flagship road tandem that earns best-in-class status thanks to hand-finished frames and highly refined, customizable geometry tailored for fast, comfortable two-up riding. It typically commands a premium price but yields superior ride quality and long-term value compared with more mass-market tandems, outpacing rivals like the Cannondale in bespoke fit and KHS in overall refinement. For riders prioritizing a tailored, high-performance road tandem for club rides or endurance events, the Mackinac is the technical and resale leader on this list.
Bellingham pride
Tour-ready comfort
Bellingham pride
Tour-ready comfort
Review Summary
"Owners praise the Mackinac for its superb build quality, predictable handling and comfortable long-distance performance; main downsides are high price and long lead times."
Long-haul grin
Handbuilt chromoly steel frame offering a comfortable ride and long-term durability.
Long-haul grin
Handbuilt chromoly steel frame offering a comfortable ride and long-term durability.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The Mackinac Road is Co-Motion's flagship road tandem that earns best-in-class status thanks to hand-finished frames and highly refined, customizable geometry tailored for fast, comfortable two-up riding. It typically commands a premium price but yields superior ride quality and long-term value compared with more mass-market tandems, outpacing rivals like the Cannondale in bespoke fit and KHS in overall refinement. For riders prioritizing a tailored, high-performance road tandem for club rides or endurance events, the Mackinac is the technical and resale leader on this list.
Bellingham pride
Tour-ready comfort
Long-haul grin
Handbuilt chromoly steel frame offering a comfortable ride and long-term durability.
Highly customizable build options for gearing, brakes and component groupsets.
Bellingham pride
Tour-ready comfort
Long-haul grin
Handbuilt chromoly steel frame offering a comfortable ride and long-term durability.
Highly customizable build options for gearing, brakes and component groupsets.
$12,000-18,000 CAD
Santana Beyond Road
The Santana Beyond Road is the market-leading all-rounder, known for a decades-long pedigree in tandem design that balances performance, durability, and touring versatility better than the lighter, more race-focused Co-Motion Mackinac. Santana’s modular approach and accessory compatibility make it a strong financial choice for riders who want one frame that handles spirited road riding and loaded touring, offering a middle ground between the premium customization of Co-Motion and the affordability of KHS. Its broad utility and reputation make it the go-to for serious tandems riders who need both speed and substance.
Race-tuned speed
Responsive cornering
Race-tuned speed
Responsive cornering
Review Summary
"Users say the Santana Beyond delivers race-level speed and stiffness with high-quality components and excellent fit options, though it's expensive and tailored more to experienced tandemers."
Custom-fit flair
Lightweight frame geometry tuned for aggressive road riding and sprinting.
Custom-fit flair
Lightweight frame geometry tuned for aggressive road riding and sprinting.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Santana Beyond Road is the market-leading all-rounder, known for a decades-long pedigree in tandem design that balances performance, durability, and touring versatility better than the lighter, more race-focused Co-Motion Mackinac. Santana’s modular approach and accessory compatibility make it a strong financial choice for riders who want one frame that handles spirited road riding and loaded touring, offering a middle ground between the premium customization of Co-Motion and the affordability of KHS. Its broad utility and reputation make it the go-to for serious tandems riders who need both speed and substance.
Race-tuned speed
Responsive cornering
Custom-fit flair
Lightweight frame geometry tuned for aggressive road riding and sprinting.
Compatibility with modern drivetrain and braking systems for strong performance.
Race-tuned speed
Responsive cornering
Custom-fit flair
Lightweight frame geometry tuned for aggressive road riding and sprinting.
Compatibility with modern drivetrain and braking systems for strong performance.
$8,000-12,000 CAD
KHS Milano Tandem
The KHS Milano Tandem is the most budget-friendly option in this list, delivering solid road performance with straightforward construction that appeals to clubs, new tandem partners, and anyone prioritizing price-to-performance. While it lacks the custom tailoring of Co-Motion and the long-distance accessory suite of Santana, its lower cost and dependable build make it an economical choice for riders stepping up from single bikes or testing tandem touring without the larger financial commitment. For those who want a capable road tandem without premium pricing, the Milano is the practical pick.
Value-packed fun
Nimble city-ride
Value-packed fun
Nimble city-ride
Review Summary
"Buyers appreciate the KHS Milano as a value-packed, durable tandem that's stable and easy to maintain, while noting it's heavier and less refined than premium custom tandems."
Beginner-friendly grin
Affordable steel frame tandem aimed at recreational riders and touring newcomers.
Beginner-friendly grin
Affordable steel frame tandem aimed at recreational riders and touring newcomers.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The KHS Milano Tandem is the most budget-friendly option in this list, delivering solid road performance with straightforward construction that appeals to clubs, new tandem partners, and anyone prioritizing price-to-performance. While it lacks the custom tailoring of Co-Motion and the long-distance accessory suite of Santana, its lower cost and dependable build make it an economical choice for riders stepping up from single bikes or testing tandem touring without the larger financial commitment. For those who want a capable road tandem without premium pricing, the Milano is the practical pick.
Value-packed fun
Nimble city-ride
Beginner-friendly grin
Affordable steel frame tandem aimed at recreational riders and touring newcomers.
Simple, serviceable component spec that is easy to maintain and upgrade.
Value-packed fun
Nimble city-ride
Beginner-friendly grin
Affordable steel frame tandem aimed at recreational riders and touring newcomers.
Simple, serviceable component spec that is easy to maintain and upgrade.
$3,000-5,000 CAD
Cannondale Tandem Road 2
The Cannondale Tandem Road 2 brings modern manufacturing, wide dealer support, and contemporary geometry to the tandem market, offering a competitive blend of performance and accessibility compared to boutique builders on this list. Cannondale’s strength is in delivering a technologically current tandem with easier servicing and parts availability at a price point often lower than bespoke Co-Motion models but typically higher than entry-level options like KHS. This model suits riders who want up-to-date design and a strong dealer network without committing to the highest-end custom route.
Stiff power transfer
Modern tech
Stiff power transfer
Modern tech
Review Summary
"Riders find the Cannondale Tandem Road 2 a reliable, well-equipped tandem with crisp handling and good parts spec for the price, though some report it feels heavier and that service/support varies by region."
Quick-launch fun
Lightweight alloy frame with a focus on responsive road handling.
Quick-launch fun
Lightweight alloy frame with a focus on responsive road handling.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Cannondale Tandem Road 2 brings modern manufacturing, wide dealer support, and contemporary geometry to the tandem market, offering a competitive blend of performance and accessibility compared to boutique builders on this list. Cannondale’s strength is in delivering a technologically current tandem with easier servicing and parts availability at a price point often lower than bespoke Co-Motion models but typically higher than entry-level options like KHS. This model suits riders who want up-to-date design and a strong dealer network without committing to the highest-end custom route.
Stiff power transfer
Modern tech
Quick-launch fun
Lightweight alloy frame with a focus on responsive road handling.
Equipped to accept higher-tier drivetrains and modern disc brakes.
Stiff power transfer
Modern tech
Quick-launch fun
Lightweight alloy frame with a focus on responsive road handling.
Equipped to accept higher-tier drivetrains and modern disc brakes.
$4,000-7,000 CAD
Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo
The Periscope Torpedo is Co-Motion’s niche offering focused on simplicity and low-maintenance road tandem riding, carving out a unique position by prioritizing reliability and minimal drivetrain complexity versus the feature-rich Santana or the high-custom Mackinac. It’s tailored to couples who favor straightforward ownership costs and fewer service needs, trading some versatility and accessory capacity for hassle-free performance. As a specialty option, the Periscope Torpedo complements rather than competes directly with the broader-purpose or premium tandems on this list.
Speed-focused design
Race-bred agility
Speed-focused design
Race-bred agility
Review Summary
"Reviewers like the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo for its lively, responsive ride and strong climbing ability; common criticisms are the premium cost and a firmer ride on rough surfaces."
Adjust-fit magic
High-modulus materials and tuned geometry for elite-level speed and stiffness.
Adjust-fit magic
High-modulus materials and tuned geometry for elite-level speed and stiffness.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Periscope Torpedo is Co-Motion’s niche offering focused on simplicity and low-maintenance road tandem riding, carving out a unique position by prioritizing reliability and minimal drivetrain complexity versus the feature-rich Santana or the high-custom Mackinac. It’s tailored to couples who favor straightforward ownership costs and fewer service needs, trading some versatility and accessory capacity for hassle-free performance. As a specialty option, the Periscope Torpedo complements rather than competes directly with the broader-purpose or premium tandems on this list.
Speed-focused design
Race-bred agility
Adjust-fit magic
High-modulus materials and tuned geometry for elite-level speed and stiffness.
Extensive custom options including electronic shifting and pro-grade components.
Speed-focused design
Race-bred agility
Adjust-fit magic
High-modulus materials and tuned geometry for elite-level speed and stiffness.
Extensive custom options including electronic shifting and pro-grade components.
$11,000-16,000 CAD