Platypus Bike

Frequently Asked Questions

• What activities and terrain is the Rivendell Platypus Complete Bike best suited for?

  The Platypus is built as a versatile step-thru sport-touring bike ideal for road riding, commuting, loaded or unloaded touring, day and fitness rides, shopping, and light off‑road like fire trails; it’s not intended for full-on mountain biking or technical singletrack. Its upright geometry, long chainstays, and generous tire clearance make it comfortable for 20–30+ mile rides and mixed‑terrain rambling.
• How do I choose the right Platypus frame size?

  Pick by PBH (pubic bone height) and intended wheel size: the 50cm fits ~74–81cm PBH with 650b wheels, the 55cm fits ~82–87cm PBH on 700c, and the 60cm fits ~87–96cm PBH on 700c. Because it’s a step‑thru with upright reach, many riders can size slightly differently than on a racing bike—measure PBH or saddle height for the most reliable fit.
• What tire sizes and fender/rack setups will the Platypus accommodate?

  The Platypus has generous clearance—typically accepting tires in the ~50–55mm (about 2.0–2.2") range and has been ridden with 48mm Gravel King tires plus fenders or knobby tires around 52mm. That clearance, combined with 135mm rear spacing and V‑brake mounts, makes it easy to switch between slicks and fenders for all‑weather commuting or wider treads for light touring and fire trails.
• How does the Platypus compare to a dedicated gravel or mountain bike?

  Compared with a dedicated gravel bike, the Platypus favors upright comfort, stability (slacker head tube and long chainstays), and load‑carrying ability over low‑front‑end aggression and sprint responsiveness; it excels at touring, commuting, and mixed‑surface routes. Versus a mountain bike, the Platypus is less capable on technical singletrack and steep, rooted descents but offers a more comfortable ride and better options for racks, fenders, and long-distance touring.
• What components and customization options come on the Platypus Complete Bike?

  The Platypus ships with a lugged steel frame and fork, Nitto Albatross handlebars, Nitto Tallux stems, Silver bar‑end shifters, 36/26 Silver3 cranks, a 9‑speed 11–36t cassette with Sunrace derailleurs, Novatech hubs, and provisions like V‑brake mounts and a 27.2mm seatpost. It’s designed for easy customization—swap bars, tires, saddles (Brooks), fenders, racks, or cantilevers (e.g., Paul) to tailor the bike for commuting, touring, or light gravel riding.