Rodriguez Bikes wants you to rethink steel. Specifically, how heavy a steel bike has to be – especially if it has disc brakes. Claiming it to be the first “ultra light” disc brake road bike to be based around wide tires, we’re not sure if it is really the first, but the bike is certainly light and it will clear up to 35mm tires. The result is a MUSA steel road bike with a carbon fork, disc brakes, and big tires all under 16 lbs…
To get the weight down to the level (or lighter) than some carbon bikes, Rodriquez focused on areas like the head tube and bottom bracket where they were able to shave weight. That means the Bandito runs a 68mm threaded bottom bracket and a 1 1/8″ head tube. It also makes use of quick release dropouts front and rear, presumably making the rear spacing 135mm. However, it does make use of at least one modern standard with a flat mount rear brake.
Coupled with a Ritchey carbon fork that will also clear 35mm tires, complete bikes will include 28mm or 32mm rubber.
As shown here with a SRAM Red group, custom wheels, and Compass 32mm tires, the Bandito is at its lightest (and most expensive). The Bandito Red Lite will set you back $10,999, but tips the scales at 15.9 lbs with 32mm tires (no size listed). Also available as the Pro model for $4,599 or the sub 18lb Elite at $7,999, all of the bikes are also available with custom paint, upgraded tubing, and custom geometry for additional charges. Rodriguez sells each bike in a whopping 20 stock sizes, but custom geometry will run you $200 if you have to have it. You can also have the Bandito as a frame only starting at $1,999.
