DH and I are starting to research touring bikes. We are willing to spend, but want to spend a few months thinking this out. We would use the bikes for short, credit card tours, perhaps C&O Canal, etc. and around town riding, errands, maybe commuting. We wouldn't be making this purchase for about a year, probably.
We would sell our Jamis Codas, as the flat bars are killing us and we really want something we could use for touring. I am not interested in Surly (too heavy). I love the Terry Valkyrie, but one thing that intrigues us about the Rodriguez bikes is that you can get them with a travel (S & S coupler) option. We eventually envision that we would take our bikes to further destinations by plane and do riding/touring as part of our vacations. DH has a Bike Friday, but it's a road bike, set up for fitness, road riding. Since DH rarely travels to Europe much, as he did in the past, he will also be selling this bike. We are in a more "smell the roses" phase of life and we already have nice road bikes.
Anyone have a Rodriguez bike?
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Thread: Rodriguez bikes?
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04-04-2010, 06:06 AM #1
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Rodriguez bikes?
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04-04-2010, 07:22 AM #2
Grease Monkey
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Crankin, are you looking for stock bikes or custom? I got my S&S couple bike custom made by Peter Mooney at Belmont Wheelworks. There's also Bilenky Cycles in CT which will do touring bikes with S&S. Going local to speak with the builder and get fit in person is a nice advantage.
Oil is good, grease is better.
2007 Peter Mooney w/S&S couplers/Terry Butterfly
1993 Bridgestone MB-3/Avocet O2 Air 40W
1980 Columbus Frame with 1970 Campy parts
1954 Raleigh 3-speed/Brooks B72
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04-04-2010, 07:46 AM #3
Don't whine
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R+E (who makes Rodriguez) is a nice shop with good folks and bikes... but they are all the way out here. I was really considering a Rodriguez, too. Partly because they are a short ride from my house. (buy local, and all that)
Lots of bikes are available with S+S couplers (even the Surly Traveller's Check). I'd go with a builder local to you, like DebW suggests."If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson
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04-04-2010, 08:13 AM #4
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Well, to answer Deb, we are looking at stock. Unless you can get a custom bike with decent components and couplers for around 3k? I think Peter Mooney would be out of our price range. But, it wouldn't hurt to talk to him. We don't care about paint jobs, etc., that are important to a lot of people who go custom.
Knot, we were very impressed with Rodriguez's information on the web. Steve had a very good experience with his fitting for the Bike Friday, doing it long distance. He felt as if he was riding his regular road bike when he rode it. But, our lifestyle has changed a bit and we are looking toward the future of doing more bike related vacations on our own, not with a tour company. We also considered planning a vacation to Seattle (which has been on our list for awhile) and getting a fitting. Another reason we were interested in Rodriguez, is that they now offer 18 stock sizes, including some for short people
. Basically, the only other decent touring bike that would fit me is the Terry.
Will discuss the custom further and might be talking to you more, Deb.
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04-04-2010, 08:17 AM #5
Don't whine
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YAY!!!!!
Originally Posted by Crankin
And of course, you'd have to come back to get the bikes, and take them on a test ride all through the islands before you went home!
"If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson
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04-04-2010, 09:46 AM #6
don't jinx it
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I have the smallest size stock Rodriguez with 650c wheels and I'm very happy with it. Excellent customer service, too.
If you're petite but are dead set on 700c wheels, I wouldn't be surprised if the guys at R+E tried to talk you out of it, so be prepared for that. If you read their newsletter you'll see that they are fans of 650c for smaller bikes . . . and accordingly they stock plenty of supplies to support the number of 650c bikes that they sell. Which is handy if you live nearby.
I have the Rainier Mirage -- haven't done any loaded touring on it, but have done a bit of research re racks & bags so I know there are options for a smaller-framed bike. I did not opt for S&S couplers, as I have a folder that I would probably use for long distance travel.
MM_QFC's new Seven has S&S couplers, she might have some thoughts on the experience of breaking the bike down and building it up again . . .
I imagine any custom builder could put S&S couplers on your bike.
Check out Indy Fab, which is closer to you and can also do S&S couplers as an option:
http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road..._Independence/
I haven't personally dealt with them, but whenever I've met someone with an Indy Fab they seem to be completely in love with their bikes!
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