This is the complete, assembled-in-Taiwan, ready-to-ride Platypus (after adding a saddle, grips, and pedals, and having the final assembly completed by a mechanic), making it a bit more affordable than a custom bike.
The Platypus, in few ways, is the most all-around useful, comfortable and democratic bike that Rivendell Bicycle Works has to offer. Over the next 30 years of your life, it is the bike that is most likely to carry you anywhere, anytime.
It's a country bike like the Sam Hillborne or the A. Homer Hillsen. But most people don't know what it is exactly so to kowtow to categorization here we go: Road tourer. All-Road. Gravel Grinder.
Everything that makes it a great touring bike also makes it a great commuter, camper, or all-rounder.
The Platypus like most Rivendell bicycles are/have:
- Tough steel frame
- Comfortable seating
- Rack Mounts in the right place
- Fender Mounts in the right place
-
Room for big tires 2.2" (up to 48mm fendered)
- Wiggle room for those big tires
A note on assembly: These preassembled complete bikes require a mechanic for the final assembly. If you're taking it to a bike shop, or you're confident you can do it yourself, please use the checklist provided by Rivendell. If you're picking it up at our Montreal stores, we'll charge $75 for assembly. If we're shipping to you, we'll charge $150.
SPECS
Three available sizes:
PBH's are lightly flexible because of the step-through
45cm (650B)
50cm (650b)
- PBH range 74cm to 81cm
- SADDLE HEIGHT 65cm to 70cm.
55cm (700c)
- PBH 82 to 87cm
- SADDLE HEIGHT 71cm to 76cm.
60cm (700c)
- PBH 87 to 96cm
- SADDLE HEIGHT 76cm to 95cm.
Components
- Heat treated Nitto Albatross bars - 55cm wide
- Nitto quill stems - 80mm for the 45 and 50cm frames, 90mm for 55cm, and 100mm for the 60cm
- Silver bar end shifters - these allow more of a grip in front of the brake levers
- 36/26 Silver3 cranks. 167mm for 45cm, 170mm for 50cm and 55cm, and 173mm for the 60cm sizes.
- 9 speed 11-36t cassette
- Skeleton key front derailer
- Silver OM-1 rear derailer
- RBW Silver hubs - regular cartridge bearing hubs.
- Alex Adventure2 rims. We ordered them without any branding except for a small sticker at the seam.
- The wheels are built by St. Jump, the best wheelbuilders in Taiwan.
- Kenda Flintridge Pro tires.
- Shimano BRT4000 V-brakes. (Riv head mechanic) Mark prefers these over some fancier models.
- RS360 levers.
- FSA Duron headset
- Shimano cartridge BB - 118mm length
- Ritchey Classic posts - 27.2
- No pedals, no saddle, no grips.
The bikes in the pictures are the final colours and reflect the way these are built, minus the saddle, grips/tape, and pedals.
