Description:Ventana’s meticulous craftsmanship and engineering design skills were put to the test with El Conquistador de Montañas. By combining our industry renowned rear suspension technology with a super-stiff mainframe, we have produced a high performance tandem with real off-road capabilities.
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID, USA Date Reviewed: July 30, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4600.00
Purchased At:
Alex at MTBTandems.com
Strengths:
This is an exception mountain bike tandem. It handles well, has great clearance, and the rear set is great for the stoker. I have ridden on fire roads, single track, etc. Very efficient climber, with minimal BOB.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Santana Picolo, Cannondale MT2000. These are both good tandems, but the Ventana is outstanding.
Bike Setup:
White Brothers Fork, SRAM/XT
Bottom Line:
Working with Alex at MTBTandems.com was a great experience. He really knows how to pick the right size and fork setup based upon your size, riding style. I spent about 90 minutes with Alex, doing measurements on the riders and our other bikes and tandem. The fit was done over the phone, and it works very well. If you need a custom Tandem for off road use, this is the best way to go. This is my 4th tandem, and my 3rd mountain bike tandem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc Norton
a Weekend Warrior
from Calumet, MI USA Date Reviewed: December 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Swedetown
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Extremely well built, very stable, easy to set up and work on, great customer service for product no matter who you bought it from.
Weaknesses:
It's not articulated for tight singletrack (ha ha)
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale MT2000, ATC T-5 fork, other parts same as ECdM
Bike Setup:
17/16 Electric Blue, 4 in travel, Fox Propedal, Maverick DUC32 fork, Sram Xgen, X.0 der, x.9 trigger shifters, Truvativ Firex tandem cranks, sun singletrack rims, ck hubs, wtb mutano raptor 2.4, avid 203mm bb7 brakes.
Bottom Line:
I bought the bike mainly for stoker comfort and the ECdM has delivered that and then some. Parts for the build are easy to obtain from standard fair of mountain bike parts. Never had a problem with headsets or bottom brackets as the machining is superb. We don't take the machine to the extremes that others have. It is capable of taking just about anything. We are a heavy team 360lbs+ and it has never complained. Definately the best value in full suspension tandems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Buck
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati Date Reviewed: June 8, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
www.mtbtandems.com
Strengths:
Build quality and performance
Weaknesses:
None noted
Similar Products Used:
Burley Samba
Bike Setup:
19/14 '04 ECdM frame, Fox RP3 Shock, ATC fork (5",) Magura Julie brakes, Sun Mammoth rims laced to Chris King Hubs. 2.4 Motoraptor tires.
Bottom Line:
Got the newer frame built up (I'd ordered a frame size too small - Alex @ MTB Tandems found a buyer for my old frame and saved me alot of grief) and took it to NC for a ride at DuPont State Forest. The bike floated over all the obstacles we found and performed flawlessly. The pro-pedal shock helped make the the climbing limits of this bike my own legs. If you like mountain biking and tandeming, you owe it to yourself to give Alex a call.
I did have to call Ventana for a question on swapping the rocker plates (for more travel - can't wait to try 'em out.) Got to speak w/ the owner himself and he was very helpful and personable. Much better customer service than I ever got from Tony when the Truth was broken.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County, CA Date Reviewed: April 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
mtbtandems.com
Strengths:
Bombproof construction - a must for a tandem
Weaknesses:
somewhat high BB and tall standover(albeit with a 7" fork)
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale MT800
Bike Setup:
2004 EcDM w/ 6" rockers but a 2" stroke shock netting approx 5.3" travel, 04 7" Jr T, XT throughout, 8" 4 pot XT discs front and rear, White Industries hubs and 36 hole Sun Rhyno Lite rims.
Bottom Line:
No other FS tandem comes close for true off road worthiness. We looked hard at the Ellsworth, but it was priced $1K more than the Ventana, came in one size only, and relied on the exact same rear swingarm and suspension linkage as the XC Truth. Anybody that's ever ridden a tandem, and ridden it hard will tell you these thing see enormous stresses. Sturdy, even overbuilt construction is a must. The EcDM does not disappoint...the welds are absolutely flawless, quad bearings for durability, beautiful machine work.
A wide array of available sizes...even custom or semi custom if you're willing to fork over the $$. Tandems are inherently expesnive due to low volumes and more materials, but you get what you pay for with this one.
We started with a cheaper rigid Cannondale MT800 and after 2 years continued to enjoy it enough to go for the FS. My wife is sooooo much more comfortable and happy (and that make me happy).
Sherwood's customer service is legendary and personal.
Alex at MTBtandems.com is awesome as well and a valauable resource for what will hold up on a tandem.
You only go around once...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Boris
a Cross Country Rider
from Yorkshire, England Date Reviewed: March 30, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
mtnhigh cyclery
Strengths:
Awesome build quality, The welding is first rate as is the rock hard paint finish. The thought that has obviously gone into the frame design shines through. Great at every trail and onstacle you throw at it. The isze we have fits both me and my wife, and me and my 10 yr old.
Weaknesses:
Apart from it costing more than most other tandem frames?? You get what you pay for
Similar Products Used:
Started with a cheap Dawes steel framed rigid, then put Marzocchi forks on that made a real differance. Switched to an ally framed Cannondale type frame (italian made) with discs and Z1 Marzocchi's
Bike Setup:
Electric blue 2004 C d el M. Upgraded Romic rear shock. Stratos tandem specific dual crown shocks. (Heavier duty than a motorcycle trials bikes') Middleburn Tandem Cranks Hope disc setup XT/XTR Gears with old fashioned XT thumbies Hope BULB hubs onto mavic 729 downhill rims on 36 DB Stainless spokes. Solid but light'ish
Bottom Line:
My last tandem purchase. We do a bit of trail riding, some orienteering competitions and the odd ride to the pub, some taxing rides, others more leisurely but the ride is sublime.
$
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