Classic & Vintage - 2002 Rodriguez Adventure - Seattle Hand-crafted Steel Touring Bike (update)

I finished making changes to my new ride and while it's not vintage I thought some might appreciate it. R&E called me back with more information on the bike.

It was made in 2002 using True Temper tubing (Either Varis HT or OX Platinum). It is indeed a 55cm which is my ideal size. Fits like a glove and rides wonderfully.

Enjoy the chameleon paint job. I'd love to see your hand-crafted rides too. Let's see some custom love.


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the paint is pretty cool, nice ride

Awsome. Watching there vid on youtube is cool (Rodriguez's). Starts out as a satillite picture and then zooms in on Seattle.

Scrolling down I thought it was 2 different bikes, that's wild. Rodriguez makes a nice tandem too.

Pretty bicycle, no doubt.

It shows beautifully, as if it were new.

Were you going for a more upright riding position?

Lots of spacers on there, but I'm not riding the bike.

If you say you are comfy, that's all that matters.

It's funny that you just posted this...I'm kicking around getting a two person Rodriguez tandem and was looking for more info. on the company.

Pretty bicycle, no doubt.

It shows beautifully, as if it were new.

Were you going for a more upright riding position?

Lots of spacers on there, but I'm not riding the bike.

If you say you are comfy, that's all that matters.

I tend to prefer an even bar to saddle set up since i'm overweight and not particularly flexible these days. I do plan on lowering it and cutting the steer tube soon but i want to be confident in how much i take off.


It's funny that you just posted this...I'm kicking around getting a two person Rodriguez tandem and was looking for more info. on the company.

I would personally be more inclined to go with Bill Davidson. I've been into his shop a few times and found him to be very pleasant and knowledgeable. He is still actively involved in building his bikes whereas rodriguez hasn't been involved in his business since the late 80's. I also prefer lugged construction to the TIG welded rodriguez. That being said, they both make great bikes and are worth looking into.

I tend to prefer an even bar to saddle set up since i'm overweight and not particularly flexible these days. I do plan on lowering it and cutting the steer tube soon but i want to be confident in how much i take off.

I would personally be more inclined to go with Bill Davidson. I've been into his shop a few times and found him to be very pleasant and knowledgeable. He is still actively involved in building his bikes whereas rodriguez hasn't been involved in his business since the late 80's. I also prefer lugged construction to the TIG welded rodriguez. That being said, they both make great bikes and are worth looking into.

That is quite a pretty bike. The paint is dazzling atmo!

About a Davidson Tadem vs a Rodriguez, I couldn't agree more.... I really love my 1984 Davidson tandem. 27+ years old and there is only one scratch on the bike. I have considered getting one of Rodriguez stems because while they are not what I'd call elegant, they are very utilitarian.

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Davidson Tandem Bicycle - 10 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/threefamilyalbum/3736693758/) by Sallad Rialb (http://www.flickr.com/people/threefamilyalbum/), on Flickr

There was a used Rodriguez that came up on CL at an attractive price, but my wife thinks two tandems is excessive and I'd have to get rid of the triplet. I just can't see myself doing that (even though we usually ride the triplet with two).

Photogravity - your Davidson is BEAUTIFUL!

There was a used Rodriguez that came up on CL at an attractive price, but my wife thinks two tandems is excessive and I'd have to get rid of the triplet. I just can't see myself doing that (even though we usually ride the triplet with two).

Photogravity - your Davidson is BEAUTIFUL!

I have three tandems: the Davidson (rides like a Buick), a Burley (can you say go-cart?) and a Kent (yes, a Kent, bought for $70 and needs a little work before it's roadworthy). I love tandems but they are PIA to haul and store.

Thanks for the compliment on the Davidson. If I could make one change to it, I would... (you know what's coming next) ;)

If you guys think my Rodriguez is pretty in that picture, wait till you see how it looks with the VO hammered fenders i just put on :P

If you guys think my Rodriguez is pretty in that picture, wait till you see how it looks with the VO hammered fenders i just put on :P

Pics or it didn't happen! :D

Not the best lighting or camera but you can imagine :P

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The last picture of your Rod Adventure is awesome! Now that you've had a chance to ride it around, how do you like it?

the Davidson (rides like a Buick)

Is that supposed to be a good thing? ;) Regardless, that's a beautiful tandem!

The last picture of your Rod Adventure is awesome! Now that you've had a chance to ride it around, how do you like it?


I love it. I have it set up with a Shimano Dynamo Hub and crappy Light and rack. I've done a lot of commuting with it and plan to do a loaded tour this summer.

The Pros : It's absolutely beautiful and rides like a dream. She rides great with AND without weight. Unloaded the handling is great and it feels responsive when I put on the speed. Add a considerable amount of weight and it handles the load evenly and comes into its own on the handling. Has all the frame features I would look for in a touring bike.

Cons: It's pretty heavy. The thicker tubing and all the accessories (read: 3lb dynamo hub) bring up the pork factor. This is expected in a touring bike and i think it's actually lighter than many of the alternatives. HATE the drivetrain. The Ultegra shifting is nice but the 9 speed levers don't have comfortable hoods. Shimano Cantilever brakes are dreadful. I replaced the front with a Kore canti that is better but still mediocre. If I didn't have other priorities I would buy a nice set of paul's or the like.

I love owning a handbuilt frame. A lot of love and attention to detail went into it. It sees 90% of my riding these days and i love having a work horse that is actually fun to ride.

Awesome! Yes, your Rodriguez Adventure is really good-looking. The fact that it has become your preferred bicycle (seeing 90% ridership) speaks very highly of this bike, especially when I see you have some other great bikes in your small stable.

I recently acquired a Rodriguez myself - their UTB model. I intend to use it mostly for touring, randonneuring and some gravel grinding. It's funny to read your impressions after owning one for several months. In my case, I feel for the first time in my life that this is the only bike I ever need to have (well, I'd keep my full-suspension MTB, too.) I have quite a few bikes in my stable, but this is by far the most enjoyable to ride, besides the fact that it is so versatile. The fact that it's built from scratch to fit me like a glove and topped off with all the components of my choice makes it a pure winner. I thought there was a chance that I wasn't going to be able to keep up with my buddies on Sunday rides with its wide 26 x 1.75" tires, but no problem so far. :)

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