Super Light Racing Tandems from Rodriguez Custom Bicycles
You can have all the advantages of a steel frame and still have the lightest tandem in your group. The Rodriguez Ultra-light tandem is old world craftsmanship combined with out of this world performance! You have to ride it to believe it. Just ask National Tandem Racing Champion John about that.
• More responsive - We use a stiffener tube
• Light but safe - We only use tandem rated forks
• Perfect size - Every build is custom
• Built to ISO standards - Serviceable anywhere
• Your stoker will appreciate more room
• Choose your wheel size
• Anything else....Just ask!
See full specifications below -
Lighter, Stronger, Safer, More Responsive and More Comfortable? How'd we do that without carbon?
- 2013 Tandem Rider Magazine review
- 1997 Tandem Magazine review
- 1996 Tandem Magazine shop review
- 1990 Bicycle Magazine review
- 1980 Bicycling Magazine review
This tandem has been turning heads all over Seattle's tandem community over the last decade. It's a real steel tandem that actually weighs just 25.8 pounds (26.7 as pictured with pedals and bottle cages installed). Of course, the weight
varies by size, and the one that is pictured here is a medium size. The bottom brackets, hubs, seat posts, etc. are all components that will hold up to tandem riding. The wheels are tandem rated, the frame and fork are steel, the frame has a double mitered stiffener tube, and the cranks and seat posts are aluminum. These are all the areas that other companies use carbon, but why not use stuff that will hold up the rigors of our customers we ask?
Our first rule of building tandems: No Compromise. Build an actual tandem frame. Use parts that will hold up to tandem riding. And, most importantly, don't use a front fork that could actually be dangerous for your customer.
Believe it or not, some manufacturers use carbon fiber seat posts to make their tandems lighter. Carbon fiber seat posts should never be used as a captain seat post in a tandem.
Ultra-Light Tandem Models - - Wait Time: 6 to 12 weeks
| Frame | Rodriguez Ultra-light blend Ovalized |
| Fork | Rodriguez Custom Light Steel |
| Tubing | Cro-mo Tandem Cro-mo w/o a stiffener |
| Headset | FSA Obrit X Standard |
| Shift Levers | Campagnolo Record Carbon 10x |
| Brake Levers | Campagnolo Record Carbon 10x |
| Bottom Brackets | Phill Wood ti/mag w/alloy rings |
| Eccentric | Bushnell® |
| Cranks | Davinci Tandem |
| Brakes | Your Choice - TRP Magnesium calipers - Revox cantilever - Disc Brakes |
| Stoker Stem | Rodriguez Custom Titanium** |
| Derailleurs | Mircroshift Front / Sram X19 |
| Tires | Panaracer Race D Evo 3 28mm |
| Bar Tape | Black Cork |
| Wheels | Spinergy Ultra-Light Tandem |
| Cogs | Hyperglide Cassette 9x Ultra-light |
| Handle Bars | FSA K-Force |
| Seat Post | Deda Zero 100 27.2 |
| Seats | WTB Silverado Carbon |
| Specifications may vary subject to availablity | |
Common Options for the Ultra-Light Record
- A Matching Pair of Rodriguez Jerseys +$150
- Carbon Bottle Cages +$45
- Full Ceramic Bearing Upgrade +$1000
Hubs and Bottom Brackets - Kinect (Bodyfloat) Seat Post +$310
- White Industries Head Set +$135
For the Frame
- Other Custom Work...Just Ask
- 4 Coupling Travel Vesrion +$1,975
- Bottle Opener +$45
Rodriguez riders don't have to worry because the wheels and front fork on our uber-light tandem are built specifically for tandem use, and they are much more durable than under-weight road bike components. Of course, the uber-light tandem components are not what we recommend for our touring customers, but for sport riding, these will hold up great!
We think that it's also important the parts are not proprietary to the frame. That way, the customer will be able to ride the bike for decades to come.
Another issue is a matter of... well... honesty. My philosophy is that if a customer is paying for light weight, they should not accept a bike that weighs more than a manufacturer claims. I've actually weighed some other companies' light weight tandems and found that some actually weighed up to 30% more than their claimed weights.
Trust but Verify
From what I've experienced, I don't trust manufacturers printed weights, and neither should you. The problem has gotten so bad that I even wrote an article on the subject. If weight is important to you, get a money back, written guarantee of the finished weight before you order. We do this for customers who are paying extra for ultra-lightweight bicycles. If you just trust what someone puts in a catalog, you're in for a disappointment when I weigh your bike on my digital scale.
Rodriguez ultra-light tandems are some of the lightest tandems you'll find at any price. Don't believe us? Come in today, and feel for yourself the tandem that beats them all!
If you do, you might just experience the same thing as John and Jennifer did.
Our bikes are unique as our customers... they love our bikes, and we love them!
