Espresso Stories
Co-Motion
I just had to write and say how much I am enjoying my Co-Motion Espresso Co-Pilot. I received it in August 2004 and have ridden it many miles, including doing Seattle-Portland in 10 hr 45 min last summer.
It has been on 16 airline adventures with me and still does not have a scratch. I have gotten to the point I can pack it in 20 unrushed minutes and assemble it in 10 min. So easy and convenient.
I get tons of compliments on the two tone yellow-red fade paint job. Even the bike techs at Bike Gallery talk about how nice looking it is when I bring it by the shop.
I have two other bikes and the Co-Motion has the best ride. It is a little heavier than my Trek Carbon but unless I am doing lots of climbing the Co-Motion is my bike of choice.
The attention to detail the staff at Co-Motion put into building it is obvious.
Thanks for a great bike
Garry K.
I just had to write and tell you how pleased I am with my Co-Motion Espresso Co-Pilot. It is everything I hoped for and more. Purchased it through the Bike Gallery in Portland in July and it is just wonderful. The ride is perfect. I have it tricked out with full Dura-Ace triple with FSA cranks. It cruises the flats wonderfully and climbs almost as well as by carbon bike. The ride is significantly better than the carbon frame and the handling, especially on descents, is superb.
Best part is travel. Just got back from a trip to Chicago. Bike, softcase, and lots of clothing weighed in at the airport at 33 lbs. No hassles at check-in, getting a cab, etc. Bike came though without a scratch and just messing around it only took about 30 min to assemble. Packed up in 20 min and again was so easy to handle at the airport. Have winter trips planned to San Diego, LA, Santa Barbara and Phoenix and you can be sure the Co-Mo will be along for all the rides.
Great craftsmanship and I get complements on the paint job from everyone from hard core riders to people in hotel elevators.
Thanks for a great product.
Garry
Dear Dwan,
You may recall we conversed by phone shortly before my trip to Italy in May about some packing issues for my new Espresso Co-Pilot. I am back and wanted to express my extraordinary appreciation for your bike design and the construction (as well as the packing counsel).
We traveled with Chuck and Judy Nichols (Nichols Expeditions/Moab) who introduced me to your company years ago and still ride their Co-Mo tandem on all their trips. We started with 5 days on the island of Sardinia, then transferred by ferry/bus to finish with another 5 days of riding in Umbria and Tuscany. As you probably know, road quality and paving can be a little unpredictable in parts of Italy but that did not phase your bike. It has remained as comfortable and reliable a companion for dirt, gravel, mud, steep climbs and ridiculous descents, as it was for the well paved portions of the trip. We put in over 700 km…my body showing more signs of abuse than the bike ever did…I couldn’t wait to get on it every morning! As I transition back to my “other” bikes, I am noticing what a nice difference the “comfort” positioning made for my aging/post-surgical neck, so yes, the Co-Pilot may become more of a regular ride.
The bike, parts, wheels etc all survived the transport well, so thanks again for all your help. Take care and don’t be surprised if you hear from Chuck about a new bike pretty soon.
Buzz
"Buzz " W
Sacramento, CA
Dwan,
I have to take the time to give you and your staff an appreciative 'Thank You!'. I received my Espresso 2 weeks ago, last Saturday. Although I have only ridden it two times, I am very, very pleased with it! The appearance of it is visually stunning and has elicited a number of positive comments. Typically 'Very nice paint job!'. The Black on White Mica makes for a very attractive bike.
The effort you and your staff made to get my bike deleivered to me (despite the efforts of Homeland Security) were exceptional. I will gladly promote your bicycles to anyone who is looking for a custom-made frame!
Sincerely,
Joe C.
Hi Co-Motion folks:
Just a note to let you know that I think that my Espresso is the best performing bike that I've ever owned. Hands down!
I have owned over 50 bikes in the past 10 years. From Moots and Litespeed, to Rivendell and Colnago... I've had them all (and money was no object). However, I just landed a fantastic deal on an Espresso (bought it used from a guy with 900 miles) and I cannot tell you how pleased I am with this steed. I've owned a Mocha Tandem for the past 2 years too and my family and I have ridden with great pride and pleasure (in Nova Scotia, Pr. Edward Island, New Brunswick, Penn., MD, VA, DC, etc.).
Your team makes fantastic bikes and I am so pleased to now own two of them. Thanks so much for making my passion an art.
Sincerely,
Jeff R.
Rockville, MD
Bought my Espresso in August from Two Wheel Transit here is Spokane. I have ridden 1,000 plus miles since.
The bike is awesome. I get compliments on it where ever I go, even from people riding Sevens, Merlins, and Serottas. The bike is so comfortable and the ride is smooth. I finally have found the antidote to chip-sealed roads.
Did I mention the bike is awesome?!
Mike W.
Spokane, WA
Hey,
This spring I had ordered an Espresso. I didn't want to write a review after only a couple of rides so I'm writing now towards the end of a great season on the bike. I must say that the fit is wonderful and the handling and feel of the bike is superb. It strikes a great balance between stability and agility. Also, I had always experienced upper back pain and had always thought I needed a smaller bike. This bike is the largest frame with the longest top tube that I have ever owned but I find being more stretched out is more comfortable on long rides. I just wanted to thank you guys again and let you know that I'm a satisfied customer!
Thanks,
Jason
Alan:
Just wanted to give you a quick report on my inaugural trip (to Arizona March 2-17) with my new Co-Pilot. The packing went fine, thanks to your last minute suggestions. No questions from Northwest Airlines, my former employer, and the bike arrived in perfect shape in its soft case. Got the bike together more quickly than expected, then proceeded to ride over 1200 miles in 14 days at the annual Desert Bike Camp run by PAC Tour. Prior to the camp, I rode about 100 miles on the bike here in MN.
Other than the usual stretching of cables, the bike felt great, always smooth over the often rough roads of Arizona and New Mexico. The bike was the object of much admiration, from some people who knew immediately what it was and others who were fascinated and determined to get one or have couplers added to an older bike. Fred Matheny and Ed Pavelka (if you know the names) were present at the second week and were also suitably impressed by the Co-Pilot and its packing box. There were several other Co-Motions, including two tandems and a touring bike the first week and a single Espresso the second week. All the riders are huge Co-Motion fans. I also met another enthusiastic Co-Pilot owner who was arriving for the third week of camp just as I was leaving who said he had written an article (to appear in Bicycling?) about taking his bike on cruise ships. He said he has done it many times and will be offering suggestions and best/worst places for cycling where cruise ships typically call.
The rides in Arizona included lots of climbing, strong headwinds, and several long days, all of which tested the bike, and I was delighted that it performed just great!
Thanks again for your help with the bike.
Charles B.
Hi Alan et. al.,
As you may recall, I purchased a Co-Pilot in December. Since then it has been with me to several Caribbean Islands and several U.S. states. Most recently I rode it during the Desert Training Camp run by the Pac Tour folks in Arizona.
I just want to tell you that I love the bike more all the time. While heavier than my "competition" bike, it makes up for it in handling. It is the steadiest descender I have ever ridden. Since coming back from Desert Camp three weeks ago, I have not been back on my "main" bike and have no desire to do so!
I will be taking the Co-Pilot out to Ohio next weekend to do Calvin's 12 Hour Challenge. I could care less about the 2.5 pound weight penalty....at least I know I am going to be comfortable. That may be more important in a 12 hour event.
Thanks,
Dave M.
Hey Alan,
Hope all is well with you. I have a bit of a problem that you hold some responsibility for. Georgene is soooo fast on her new Co-Motion that she passes GL and me on the downhill runs. Dang! What has her bike got that GL doesn't? (We are naming her Co-Motion "SD" for Speed Diva.) I would appreciate your help with this situation!
Thanks.
Sara B.
Howdy.
I recently purchased my first Co-Motion custom built bicycle through Plano Cycling & Fitness.
Having logged more than 125,000 miles as a recreational cyclist, I expected a little bit of adjusting to the new ride.
Not only did I not have to go through any adjustment period, I rode it for the first time with no aches and pains. That may not sound like a big deal, but my first ride was 100 miles. You can read the whole story on my website. The link is attached below.
Thanks for building an excellent bicycle. I plan to ride it for many years to come.
Mike
Just dropping you a line to express my complete satisfaction with my new Espresso. I bought it through Hutch’s in Eugene a few months ago. I have over 1000 miles on it so far and this is the best bike purchase I have ever made. The craftsmanship… paint, welds and attention to detail are truly top notch. I have not seen a finer crafted bike. But the best part is the ride. It’s indescribable! Very, very nice smooth and responsive (I think my wife is jealous of it). Here is a picture of my Espresso.
Cheers to Co-Motion and Hutch’s for making this a great cycling purchase.
Kevin P. H.
Philomath, OR