Rodriguez 8-Ball Tandem/Single Convertible Design Options

Design #1

Uses: Loaded touring, sport, commuting, anything you want to do on a tandem or single

Frame: $800 Upgrade over #3 - The original design of the Rodriguez 8-Ball. The Captain and Stoker have to be similar in height since a level toptube is required. With this design, the stoker's seat tube becomes the seat tube when bicycle is converted to a single.

Advantages:

• Can add a third of even a forth section down the road
• Designed to fit either rider as a single
• Looks somewhat normal as a tandem or a single

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Dis-advantages:

• More work than other designs to convert to single
• Captain and Stoker have to be similar in heights

Design #2

Uses: Loaded touring, sport, commuting, anything you want to do on a tandem or single

Frame: $800 Upgrade over #3 - This is the next evolution of the Rodriguez 8-ball. This design allows a sloping top tube for more difference in height between the riders. The rear section connects to the keel tube and the stiffener tube when converted to a single bike.

Advantages:

• Looks almost like a standard tandem
• Built custom to fit any variations of rider height just like a standard tandem
• Very easy to convert from tandem to single

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Dis-advantages:

• Cannot add 3rd or 4th section later on
• As a single, it's heavier than the other 2 designs

Design #3

Uses: Sport, light touring, family fun, commuting

Frame: Default design - The default Rodriguez 8-ball design only used 6 couplings. This is a way to lower the top tube height on the stoker even more, to allow riders with less flexibility to easily mount the tandem. It uses a similar connection point for the couplers as the previous design, and has the look of a modern sport tandem like the Toucan.

Advantages:

• Less expensive
• Built custom to fit any variations of rider height just like a standard tandem
• Looks very normal as a tandem or a single

Dis-advantages:

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• Not as heavy duty as designs 1 or 2
• Cannot add 3rd or 4th section later on