You get WAY, WAY MORE with the Rodriguez 'Travel Option'
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'Travel Option' includes:
(add to the price of any new Rodriguez bike)
(sold separately)
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;windowHandle.focus() "View Larger Image") Competition Series with Couplings ;windowHandle.focus() "View Larger Image") UTB Series with Couplings
| Navigator with Couplings
| Toucan Tandem with Couplings |
The beauty of the S&S coupling system is that you can have a regular bike that performs just like a regular bike, but at the same time you can pack it into a 26" X 26" X 10" suitcase for flying on airlines. You don't have to have a regular bike, and a 'sub-par' folding bike for travel.
At Rodriguez you get the above and beyond level of service that our customers have come to expect from us. You'll get the same S&S couplings as other manufacturers offer, but that's really where the similarities end.
Last season, I had several calls from customers who had bought their travel tandems or bikes from other manufacturers to ask for a lesson on how to pack and un-pack their bike. It seems that they had heard of the lessons that we give to our Rodriguez customers and they wanted that same advantage. We came up with a price to charge them $500 (this service is FREE with any New Rodriguez travel bike purchase). This is a price they were glad to pay to receive the one-on-one attention and the professional prep work that we include with every Rodriguez Travel bicycle.
A Fair Comparison
I was surprised to hear that other manufacturers are not including this type of 'after the sale' service, and I realize that there is a lot of value in it. Some people call around and find out who has the cheapest 'travel upgrade'. For this reason, I thought I should lay out these differences here so that customers can compare value as well as price before choosing who will build their new ride.
The Devil's in the Details
1.) S&S couplings (2 on a single bike or 6 on a tandem).
These guys are mounted right into the frame and allow the bike to be taken apart easily with the use of a small wrench that comes with the upgrade.
2.) Cable Splitters allow easy re-assembly with no re-adjustments of gears or brakes. Some manufacturers include these, but some do not. Either way, you're going to want them as no travel bike is worth a hill of beans without them. If you add them after the fact, they run about $40 a set. But, if your bicycle is not designed to use them, they will tear up your paint. Read more
3.) Rodriguez exclusive 'outrigger' cable stops. These prevent damage to the paint when you're bike is using cable splitters. Most manufacturers don't use these. We've been making them for our bikes since 1996. Read more
4.) Protective padding custom cut and labeled. Now here's where we get into the 'invisible value'. I don't know of another manufacturer that provides this service, and it will save you 4 ~ 6 hours. I don't know what you get paid, but multiply it by 5 and you'll get a basic idea of the amount of money this will save you. Read more
5.) Packing and un-packing lessons. Now here's one that really sets us apart. We actually provide you with a one-on-one lesson(s) with your bicycle until you are completely comfortable with the procedure. We have dozens of folks who have purchased 'other brands' of travel bikes who gladly pay us to teach them how to put it in the box and how to build it back up. With the purchase of a new Rodriguez travel bike, it's all included. Read more
