Convertible Tandem to Single Travel Tandem - The 8-Ball™


8-Ball Picture
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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.


Made in USA

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: 10 to 16 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 12999

Common Options for the 8-Ball Standard

For the Frame

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 14999

Common Options for the 8-Ball Rohloff

For the Frame


Rohloff Hub Graphic

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 with his single
Willie and Kat Building their Tandem
Willie and Kat with the Completed Tandem

Willie and Kat Converting their Rodriguez 8-Ball™ from Single to Tandem


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