Three Decades of Santana Innovation
Starting from scratch in the mid–’70s, Santana quickly became the #1 builder of quality tandems. While growing tandem popularity has drawn others into the market, Santana retains its position of leadership through constant improvement and innovation. Shown here with the three closest followers, Santana is the only one whose sole focus is tandems.
| BENCHMARK | SANTANA | Builder 1 | Builder 2 | BENEFIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built first tandem in | 1976 | 1987 | 1986 | Experience counts |
| Completely butted tubesets | 1976 | 1999 | — | Basic frame efficiency |
| Dishless Wheels | 1976 | — | — | Equalized spoke tension |
| Widely spaced rear hub flanges | 1967 | — | — | Greater wheel strength |
| 140mm rear wheel spacing | 1976 | 1989* | 1986* | The first tandem standard |
| Wheel performance guarantee | 1976 | — | — | 2 years of extra protection |
| Forks w/ tandem-specific blades | 1976* | — | — | Stronger than ATB steerers |
| Forks w/ tandem-specific steerers | 1976 | — | — | Safer than ATB steerers |
| Tandem-specific fork rake | 1976 | 1987 | 1996 | Increased Stability |
| Oval bottom tubes | 1976 | 1996 | — | Less driveline flex |
| Magnum-sized chainstays | 1997 | — | — | Less driveline flex |
| Built first triplet | 1979 | — | — | Testing the envelope |
| Lower bottom brackets | 1982 | — | — | Increased stability |
| Direct Lateral frame design | 1983 | 1987 | 1986 | Highest stiffness-to-weight |
| Mountain Tandems | 1984 | 1989 | 1994 | Opening new horizons |
| Extended headtubes | 1985 | — | 1999 | Improved ergonomics |
| Aluminum Tandems | 1993 | 2002 | 1986 | Rustproof and often lighter |
| Built first quint | 1987 | — | — | Pushing the envelope |
| Forks with 11/4″ steerers | 1988 | — | 1996* | Improved strength & safety |
| Conically-tapered downtubes | 1991 | — | 1996 | Faster sprinting & climbing |
| Tandem with Softride beam | 1991 | 1993* | — | Original stoker suspension |
| 160mm rear wheel spacing | 1992 | — | — | The future tandem standard |
| AHead threadless headsets | 1993 | 1997 | 1996 | Easier to adjust & maintain |
| Butted aluminum tandems | 1993 | — | — | 20% lighter than CroMoly |
| Titanium Tandems | 1993 | — | — | Lighter & more comfortable |
| Std. Suspension stoker seatpost | 1994 | — | 1995 | Optimized stoker suspension |
| Std. Adjustable stoker stem | 1994 | 1999 | 1998 | One size never fits all |
| Tandem w/ S&S Couplers | 1995 | 1998* | — | High performance portability |
| V-top frame for shorter captains | 1996 | — | 1999 | 2.5 inches more clearance |
| Titanium S&S Couplers | 1996 | — | — | Tandems for the jet set |
| Aluminum softride tandems | 1996 | — | — | Pushing the envelope |
| Disc brake fittings made standard | 1997 | — | — | Upgrade ready |
| Hydraulic disc brakes | 1997 | — | — | An obvious improvement |
| Wet-on-wet paint application | 1998 | — | — | Doubled scratch resistance |
| On-time custom frame guarantee | 1998 | — | — | On time or money back |
| Prizm finish for AL frames | 1999 | — | — | Inner beauty revealed |
| Carbon fiber tandem forks | 1999 | 2004 | — | Saves 1.5 pounds |
| Aluminum S&S tandems | 2000 | — | — | An S&S that’s 4 pounds less |
| 16-spoke tandem wheels | 2001 | — | — | Totally aero—cuts 2 pounds |
| Oval frame couplers | 2002 | — | — | Efficiency perfected |
| Splined cranks on all models | 2002 | — | 2005 | Lighter, stiffer, faster |
| Isogrid welded carbon tandems | 2003 | — | — | Technology breakthrough |
| Tandem-sized discs w/ 10″ rotors | 2004 | — | — | Greater power, less fade |
| Scandium alloy tandems | 2005 | — | — | Lighter, stiffer, stronger |
| Niobium alloy tandems | 2005 | — | — | Steel’s ride, AL’s weight |
| Perfect-10 shifting | 2005 | — | — | Wide range w/ tight ratios |
| Dual-action mechanical discs | 2006 | — | — | Tandem power; no mess |
