I would like to add how much this thread has helped me. No one can say if a particular bike will be what another person loves, but feedback helps to clarify what to expect out of the various models.
The Susie could be built as an all-rounder bike but, I am thinking, it would undermine its potential. It is meant to have big tough tires and venture into bumpy terrain. If I got a Susie, I would build it for that purpose. On the flip side, there are several Rivs that would be perfect for a mix of pavement and smooth trails, without compromising anything. It helps to have realistic expectations and, hopefully, build a bike with fewer re-dos! I will get a Platypus as my mostly-road bicycle, with hopes to eventually add a Susie or Clem L for maximum off road comfort… :-) Arrg. More waiting, On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 6:05:20 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: > I'd stick with the assumption that 50mm is the limit. Platypus started as > a road bike with sidepull calipers as the Cheviot, then got an update with > v-brakes and a new name. My Riv custom-with-droptube was also designed as > primarily a pavement bike and shares the same fork crown*, I'm running 47mm > tires with about 3mm of room left. > > *Historical note: My frame was being designed at the same time as the > Platypus, I think it's basically a Platy prototype without the curvy > mid-stays! > > Joe Bernard > > On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 2:08:02 PM UTC-8 Garth wrote: > >> Actually is says both 50mm and 2.2" in the description, plus 48mm with >> fenders. Actual tire fitting will vary as there is always someone wanting >> to see how close they can be to the tubes and tire widths vary with rim >> widths. That's splittin' some split hairs of an seemingly hairy situation >> .... "Susie loves me, Susie loves me not"..... haha ! Actually neither ! >> Actual Love isn't double-minded... "not two".... Invisibility. >> >> On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 4:28:03 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: >> >>> Huh, I hadn't noticed the 2.2 reference before. Riv needs to fact-check >>> that page because earlier it states max is 50mm, which is about 1.96 >>> inches. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 12:28:50 PM UTC-8 Ryland wrote: >>> >>>> This might be splitting hairs, but Rivendell’s website states that the >>>> Platypus can accommodate a 2.2” tire. Additionally, Grant states that >>>> “It’s >>>> also nimble and more than able for fast fire-road rides with the right >>>> tires”. https://www.rivbike.com/products/frame-platypus-2021 >>>> >>>> As a Platypus owner myself, I might be biased, but I think if you’re >>>> looking for an all-rounder you should hold out for the Platypus. >>>> - Ryland >>>> On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 12:02:07 PM UTC-5 Mr. Ray wrote: >>>> >>>>> Welcome Laura, >>>>> >>>>> My posts have not been posted by admin so hopefully this one gets >>>>> through. >>>>> >>>>> The Platypus can only accommodate tires up to 2". If you plan to do >>>>> off pavement, I would go for the Longbolts. >>>>> >>>>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 8:08:15 PM UTC-5 me2g...@gmail.com >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hello, I am new to this group and still trying to decide which >>>>>> Rivendell bike will be my first. I am torn between the Platypus and a >>>>>> Susie >>>>>> Longbolts. I hope that there are people here that have ridden both, or >>>>>> have >>>>>> turned one of them into their all-around, multi-terrain bike. Ideally, I >>>>>> would LOVE to have both, but that will take a few years to achieve! >>>>>> >>>>>> As a note, all-terrain is pavement, gravel, fire roads, hard-packed >>>>>> sand. Not aggressive single track or severe off-road. >>>>>> >>>>>> Rivendell promotes the Platypus mainly for pavement and the Susie for >>>>>> trails. In theory, if both were equipped with the same 2.2” all-terrain >>>>>> tire, which one would make the best multi-use bike? Would the >>>>>> differences >>>>>> be minor or is the geometry on one better able to adapt? >>>>>> >>>>>> Should I limit my expectations to what the bikes were designed for? >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks for your help, >>>>>> Laura >>>>>> >>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/53e4b7f5-57b2-4923-981b-604095d22c4en%40googlegroups.com.