Convertible Tandem to Single Travel Tandem - The 8-Ball™
Read about our long history of tandem building and tandem innovations.
"A travel bike built for two... I mean one... I mean two"
The Rodriguez 8-Ball™ is unique in the cycling world. It's the type of thing that only a company with our years of tandem building might want to tackle. This custom tandem converts from a bicyle for two right into a bicycle for one by removing the middle of the frame, and setting it up once the frame is apart takes only a few minutes (once you've had some practice). As if that wasn't cool enough, you can take the frame apart to get it into cases safe and secure and small enough for plane travel!
The Rodriguez 8-Ball™ comes with all the custom sizing you expect from a Roriguez tandem, free of charge, and the components we use are ready for the stresses of tandem riders working in, well, tandem. Whether you know it now or not, you will value the 'no compromise', fit first design when you ride your new Rodriguez tandem. With 26" wheels the bike packs into cases for flying easily and allows us to build strong, durable wheels for all your tandeming needs. The 8-Ball™ is available in 3 different frame designs for your riding and sizing preferences.
We've built Rodriguez 8-Ball™ tandems for several couples, including the Trickels who spent a year riding around the world on it.
Since 1997, the Rodriguez 8-Ball™ has been the most versatile convertible bike on the market
The Story - When S&S couplings first came out, I immediately thought about a 'convertible' bike. One that would not only pack into a small flight case, but serve as both a traveler's single bike and a traveling couple's tandem bike. It made sense to me. I drew one up before we even had any couplings in stock. But, my head frame builder at the time didn't think it made sense, so we scrapped the project.A few months later, our service manager drew up a design for a tandem that he could fit into a back pack. Our frame builder brought the design up to me (it looked very similar to the convertible that I had drawn), we combined the two designs, and with a few modifications, the 8-Ball™ was born.
Rodriguez 8-Ball™ Models - - Wait Time: 8 to 12 weeks
| Frame | Rodriguez Tandem zonally butted cro-moly |
| Tubing | Rodriguez Tandem |
| Fork | Rodriguez Tandem cro-moly |
| Headset | FSA Sealed Bearing Standard |
| Shift Levers | Shimano Dura-Ace Bar-end 9sp |
| Brake Levers | Tektro Ergo |
| Eccentric | Bushnell® |
| Cranks | Alloy Tandem |
| Brakes | Our Patented Big-Squeeze® / or TRP Spyre Disc |
| Stoker Stem | Rodriguez Adjustable |
| Derailleurs | Mircroshift Front / Shimano Rear |
| Rims & Tires | Sun Ringle CR18 / Serfas Drifter |
| Bar Tape | Black Cork |
| Wheels | Hand-built w/ 3 year warranty |
| Cogs | Shimano Hyperglide 9spd |
| Handle Bars | Kalloy Compact Drop |
| Seat Post | Alloy 27.2 |
| Hubs | Sealed Bearing Tandem |
| Seats | WTB Speed V |
| Specifications may vary subject to availablity | |
8-Ball Standard $12,999
Common Options for the 8-Ball Standard
- A Matching Pair of Rodriguez Jerseys +$150
- Double Leg Kickstand +$75
- Kinect (Bodyfloat) Seat Post +$310
- Phil Wood Bottom Brackets +$575
- Racktime Fold-it Rear Rack +$55
- Shimano Generator Front Hub +$130
- Sinewave Front Light +$450
Includes USB Charging Port - SONdelux Generator Front Hub +$320
(Add $75 for disc brake models) - Steer Stopper Front Wheel Lock +$189
- Tubus Tara Front Rack Installed +$172
For the Frame
- Other Custom Work...Just Ask
- Bottle Opener +$45
| Frame | Rodriguez Tandem zonally butted cro-moly |
| Tubing | Rodriguez Tandem |
| Fork | Rodriguez Tandem cro-moly |
| Headset | FSA Sealed Bearing Standard |
| Shift Levers | Rohloff Grip Shifter |
| Brake Levers | Tektro Ergo |
| Bottom Brackets | Sealed Bearing (British 68) |
| Bottom Brackets | Sealed Bearing (British 68) |
| Eccentric | Bushnell® |
| Cranks | Alloy Tandem |
| Brakes | Our Patented Big-Squeeze® or TRP Spyre Disc |
| Stoker Stem | Rodriguez Adjustable |
| Derailleurs | Mircroshift Front / Shimano Rear |
| Rims & Tires | Sun Ringle CR18 / Serfas Drifter |
| Bar Tape | Black Cork |
| Wheels | Hand-built w/ 3 year warranty |
| Cogs | Rohloff |
| Handle Bars | Kalloy Compact Drop |
| Seat Post | Alloy 27.2 |
| Hubs | Sealed Bearing Tandem |
| Seats | WTB Speed V |
| Specifications may vary subject to availablity | |
8-Ball Rohloff $14,999
Common Options for the 8-Ball Rohloff
- A Matching Pair of Rodriguez Jerseys +$150
- Double Leg Kickstand +$75
- Kinect (Bodyfloat) Seat Post +$310
- Phil Wood Bottom Brackets +$575
- Racktime Fold-it Rear Rack +$55
- Shifter Doohickey +$155
- Shimano Generator Front Hub +$130
- Sinewave Front Light +$450
Includes USB Charging Port - SONdelux Generator Front Hub +$320
(Add $75 for disc brake models) - Steer Stopper Front Wheel Lock +$189
- Tubus Tara Front Rack Installed +$172
For the Frame
- Other Custom Work...Just Ask
- Bottle Opener +$45
Rohloff Speedhub
Did you know that Rodriguez is the number one Rohloff builder in the United States? The Rohloff drive train is the most popular option for the 8-Ball™ over the last few years. We've developed a clean way of incorporating this unique design into a versatile tandem/touring bike.
Along Comes Willie Weir
It wasn't long after that when Willie Weir and his wife Kat came to us about getting a tandem for their tour in Cuba. Willie is a world class bicycle traveler, columnist and KUOW commentator. He bicycles in places around the world that are obscure and amazing. After hearing about their plan, we decided that the Eight ball would be the perfect bike for them.Willie was to go to Cuba first, and tour by himself for an extended period of time. Then Kat would fly in and join him. Our thought was that Willie could just take the 'single' configuration with him, and Kat could bring the pieces for the tandem conversion with her. This way, they wouldn't have an extra bike to try and store somewhere in Cuba. The plan went perfectly.
In the years since, we've built several of these bikes. Everyone who has one loves it. We've even had one customer add a 3rd section to their Eight ball, and now it's a travel single, a travel tandem, and a travel triplet! The versatility is amazing.
There's no better test for a bicycle design than having someone like Willie and Kat tour where there are no roads, bike shops, or spare parts. The Rodriguez Eight ball has proven itself to be a travelers best friend time and time again. I encourage anyone who thinks they would like to travel with a bicycle to consider this versatile design.
Own the original...own a Rodriguez 8-Ball™
Willie and Kat Converting their Rodriguez 8-Ball™ from Single to Tandem
