Custom Steel Bikes and Tandems in Seattle: R+E (Rodriguez) Cycles Shop Tour

[@BestSideCycling]

Do you have a Rodriguez bicycle? What did you think of the tour? What else do you want to know?

[@mikekelly7340]

I own a rainer

[@jefmichel2302]

Had two when I worked there in the 90's. It is GREAT to see Dan and hear him tell about his shop. It has apparently changed quite a bit. Great video.

[@blubaughmr]

Our Erickson tandem came from there. We're the second owner. In the late 80's, when NE 45th was stripped down to the brick, was bumpy as heck and was on my daily commute, I broke a dropout on my commuter bike. R+E replaced the dropout. When that bike later got a broken bottom bracket casting, R+E told me that was terminal. Custom was more than I wanted to spend at the time, but I bought a mass produced frame, R+E checked alignment, adjusted rear dropouts, installed the headset, and painted it a custom color. I built it from there. That bike has over 20,000 miles on it so far. It's the only bike I've ever owned that never needed a headset adjustment, which shows the difference when the job is done right.

[@CozyLivingMachine]

Super cool tour, I've never even heard of these folks! Tandems are as cool to see in the wild as limousines! 😂 Their shop is especially interesting, it's not a huge production, and 5 hours for a full bike is very impressive to me! These folks are real craftsmen.

[@BestSideCycling]

Yeah, I love the real "home-made" part of it and you can be sure they know what they're doing.

[@GStarGoku3]

The mixte style tandem is pretty sick tbh

[@JamesLupori]

We have a long history with R+E Cycles. My wife and I bought our first tandem at R+E in 1990 (a Burley Bongo). They built us a custom tandem that we rode across the US in 1998. Today, we own our 2nd custom Rod tandem with titanium joints which has served us well here in Italy for the last 10 years. I'd also like to say that, R+E Cycles is more than a bike shop. When Dan and Estelle owned the shop and still, today, there's a passion and sense of authenticity that makes R+E an incredible place! One more thing: our condolences about Estelle. RIP!!!!!

[@ScottMcGlynn]

We bought our first tandem from Dan & Estelle in '93 (a Burley Rock n Roll Softride). We have a Rodriguez tandem and a Phinney Ridge in the stable today. RIP Estelle.

[@m3ellis]

Had no idea they made their own machines for building the bikes too. Very cool and interesting. I would love to get a custom bike someday.

[@PeteLorimer]

Great tour! What an amazing shop they’ve got. Thanks for bringing all these amazing local bike shops to us.

[@BestSideCycling]

You're welcome! Feel free to suggest the next shop or connect them with me. I"m happy to welcome any requests

[@i11iterati]

My Phinney Ridge changed my life, love Rodriguez!

[@mad2barxhst]

My first touring bike was made by R+E Cycles in 1990. It had a pearlescent white paint finish. Loved the frame.

[@craigrmeyer]

Fantastic guys and fantastic bikes. I rode mine all over Southern Africa, SE Asia and some in SE Europe, even while stuck in Vietnam for Covid, and it was my one reliable possession that I knew I could count on. Quite emotional, really. You simply must visit them.

[@MoselleMemories]

20 years ago I bought a Rodriguez Ultimate Travel Bike. Sweet ride. Thanks for the video. Love your content.

[@madyogi6164]

Very interesting man running his business with joy and passion. They might not have a million of customers in a queue, but seeing all these frames - they are definitely there. So, yes, I wish them many more to visit the place.

[@willasa5840]

Bought many things at R&E but sadly never a Rodriguez nor Erickson. Got my first helmet there back in the 80's -- an original Skid Lid with visor. I still own Dan Towle's wife's used Sekai 5000 -- lovingly maintained Suntour Superbe and bladed Rigida rims! Top rung stuff back then.

[@LizardEatsFlies]

got my dream bike from here a few months ago. Fun shop and amazing bikes.

[@Incorruptus1]

So awesome! Thank you for this in- and oversight. Great shop!

[@aintnobodygottime4dat]

Every city should have a Rodriguez bicycle store.

[@slimdog72]

That's an impressive operation. I am drooling over the Emco machines.

[@felicetanka]

Closer to perfection, Rodríguez.

[@Raymond-Farts]

That was an awesome tour. I really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing it.

[@fensterputzernuernberg]

It is a great video ! keep pluggin away... Pretty damn inspiring what people create in their lives.... Amazing people ,,,, Every community needs such hard working passionate people.

[@ibegillies]

What an amazing video, about an incredible company. Hearing the details of how they produce Just in Time bicycles is so inspiring. Thanks for making this video.

[@carlmace5633]

Excellent video and a great tour of a cool shop.

[@tonyvaldiconza3914]

Go visit Bill Davidson Bicycles in Fremont.

[@NotTehJon]

well if you're mentioning which shops to check out... would be neat for ya to make a vid about Free Range! That place is dope.

[@brif56]

Good job man! Pretty cool video, definitely getting a custom frame someday.

[@SMorrisRose]

That was my LBS in about 1982. Didn't even know there was a downstairs, though.

[@UWMailing]

Good video. These people live the life for sure.

[@schlass265]

That was awesome! Thank you very much for this

[@BestSideCycling]

You're very welcome!

[@madyogi6164]

👍👋 Great place!

[@sklegg]

My next bike will be a Rodriguez. Or a titanium frame bike. Or an e-bike. Or…

[@BestSideCycling]

Are you saying for you or for me? Haha

[@sklegg]

@@BestSideCycling for me! Even though I’m still trying to finish building the last bike I bought lol

[@RPaton]

There is a video "Building a Custom Bicycle" on the CptnCrud channel from a few years ago

[@ayev8tor]

Fantastic video. Do they build forks for their bikes?

[@jesuscruz836]

Why have I not heard of R+E until now?!

[@KelvinChanMcSquared]

I guess the question is what is the price range? I can start saving

[@FirstLast-jm4dx]

Curious to know what components they used to make that 13lb steel road bike.

[@BestSideCycling]

Good point! We should have went into a proper component deep-dive. Fancy Cane Creek Rim Brakes at the least though!

[@tawanga]

For a followup, you should go in and get a fit and a test ride.

[@BestSideCycling]

Haha I definitely have some ideas if they're interested in :) maybe some tandem shenanigans as well

[@toothpastehombre]

Rad piece of PNW history

[@jeff_aurand]

Did you get any waffles?

[@BestSideCycling]

I did lol it will be another quick video about bike and pike

[@hawkeye5035]

I love my Rodriguez Competition! 💪❤️. I can’t attach a pic… @hawkeye1824