I didn't take Laura's comments as "criticism" of the Susie design. But Garth is right about it just being a light version of the gus. I almost got the feeling that it was an afterthought. Like they knew they needed a 1 1/8" headset and a reasonably heavy duty tubeset if Gus was going to be abused as a mountain bike and/or loaded up for off-road touring, but couldn't quite get comfortable with the compromises those decisions required. So they decided to do a limited run of light versions, just to scratch the itch. And left the naming to happenstance. I'm glad it wasn't the case but, if anything, I could have seen the Susie/Wolbis version having a high/straight top tube to improve triangulation in compensation for the lighter tubes. They were initially very cautious about who they said could or should have one but, since it worked out and ended up being stronger than they expected, it sounds like it's surviving for another round. At one point, they said future rounds of hillibikes might be tig welded, so these new(final) ones being fillet brazed is already a bonus. I don't know why they plan to end it altogether, but that's pretty common with Rivendell. When you find one that you like AND that fits, there'll often be regrets if you don't seize the opportunity while you can.
I too think a custom riv is probably the best way to go, but you'd really have to know what you want. In the meantime, every bike you own is an opportunity to learn and narrow it down and find out what works. On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 8:17:01 AM UTC-7 Garth wrote: > Laura , the reason the Gus and Susie Longbolts are so similar is because > they are of the same blueprint, with slightly\ lighter tubing and a > threaded stem denoting the Susie. If one wants a step-thru Riv has other > bikes, or have a custom made. I know people balk at customs because of the > price, but looking at stock frames, seeing what you don't want and then > criticizing them for it, and wishing/demanding they make it stock.... that > seems a way of placing responsibility where it doesn't belong. I've seen it > countless times. > > That nature of the names though are a Riv reader contribution contest. > Susie Longbolts/Wolbis Slugstone came from a set of certain letter arranged > by readers. There was no gender intention involved or implied. What's in > name anyways ? A "Boy named Sue ?" ... that famous Johnny Cash song .... > ask him what it's about ! Hahahaha !!!! As with any bike, it's not it's > paint on the surface, it's not the letters on the paint that make or break > it.... it's the bike in whole that is everything. > On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 8:07:49 AM UTC-5 me2g...@gmail.com wrote: > >> iamkeith, no worries… in my angst-filled journey of new bicycle >> calculations, many factors have influenced me. >> >> Leah… I favor lugs & fillet brazing! For me, it is an investment worth >> making. >> >> In my humble peanut gallery opinion, they should have made the >> differences between the Gus & Susie models more distinct. To compliment >> Gus, the Susie would have benefited if it had step-thru qualities and a >> lower bottom bracket. Making it a leisure-minded trail bike with >> hand-crafted goodness. >> >> I hope Rivendell creates another fillet brazed bike in the future. Trying >> to sell these unique frames must be extra difficult during Covid chaos. >> >> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 7:28:00 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >> wrote: >> >>> To FURTHER foul up the decision-making process, did you all read in >>> Grant’s Blahg that they are working on the Roscopus? See below: >>> >>> 3. Rosco-Plats: Like the Platypus, but less lugged, and with 100 percent >>> straight, strong, safe, beautiful CLEM forks that just happened to have the >>> threaded rack bosses mis-drilled ever so slightly, to the extent that we >>> couldn't sell them as perfect, but their flub is visual only, and we're >>> getting deals on them and so designed frames around them, and the frames >>> are gonna be fantastic and inexpensive by our standards. Think >>> Platypus-Clem offspring. >>> >>> Decisions, decisions, Laura! What will you do now? >>> Leah >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Dec 12, 2021, at 6:16 AM, Fullylugged <bruce.h...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> To Doug's comments on Clem L: >>> >>> >>> I put a local rider with spine issues on one about 2 years ago to suit >>> her need for a comfortable upright ride. She is mostly on pavement, but >>> some of that is coarse chipseal. We built the bike with Continental >>> "Basketball" tires instead of Schwalbes to get a livelier ride. She has no >>> trouble doing club rides at 18 mph when desired, or tooling on gravel at >>> under 10 mph. It's been a winner all around and of course, Clem is one of >>> Rivs more reasonably prices models. Leah who posted about her Platypus also >>> has a Clem L and enjoys it as well, though not as much as her Platy, I >>> think. >>> >>> To the earlier comment about most rivs riding anywhere: >>> >>> Yes, The "Adventure bike" zeitgeist of :any bike, any road is fully >>> embraced by rivendell. All models have limits and some do one thing or >>> another better than something else, but you can't go wrong with any >>> Rivendell of any era. I have a 1995 Road model. With gravel tires on, it >>> does that just fine. With fat road tires, it handles all the surfaces I am >>> likely to be on. Of my 4 bikes, it is the one that gets most of the miles >>> every year. >>> >>> Bruce >>> >>> On Monday, December 6, 2021 at 7:16:14 AM UTC-6 Doug H. wrote: >>> >>>> Laura, >>>> I can put the Clem L in the category you are searching just to muddy >>>> the waters. Mine is the Lime Olive and is set up 1x10 with knobby tires, >>>> 2.3 wide I believe. It is equally efficient on trails, gravel and asphalt. >>>> It climbs unbelievably for a 32 pound bicycle. In fact, it has made me >>>> rethink the weight of a bike being a significant factor in climbing and >>>> accelerating. >>>> Doug >>>> Athens, Ga >>>> >>>> On Monday, December 6, 2021 at 7:33:05 AM UTC-5 me2g...@gmail.com >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> EDIT… >>>>> >>>>> Jarad = Jared >>>>> >>>>> Lime green = Lime olive >>>>> >>>>> 2022 orange Platypus = my prediction >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, December 6, 2021 at 6:49:28 AM UTC-5 Laura B wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Jarad, thank you for your insights. I have to laugh because the >>>>>> answers have made me confident that either bike will be a great >>>>>> all-rounder, but the answers have also made me yearn for both! >>>>>> >>>>>> So, I am back to square one. Loving both bikes for their potential to >>>>>> compliment one another, but having no idea which one I like best as an >>>>>> all-rounder! Shallow me… the orange of the current Susie was easily >>>>>> tipping >>>>>> the balance in that direction. When they announced the current colors, >>>>>> it >>>>>> placed both bikes on equal ground. I have no doubt I will sweat it >>>>>> out till the last minute! I also predict I will buy a lime green Susie >>>>>> in >>>>>> 2021, then go nuts when an orange Platypus is released in 2022!!! >>>>>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 11:27:52 PM UTC-5 duh...@gmail.com >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Both bike will do what you're looking for, and you wont come near >>>>>>> the limitations of either. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I had a Susie and my fiancee has a Platy, both bikes handle the type >>>>>>> of riding you describe with ease. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The Susie is more confidence inspiring off road and demands a larger >>>>>>> tire to take full advantage of its potential. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The Platy has a more sophisticated look and handles on road riding >>>>>>> in a way that leaves you wanting for nothing. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I didn't love the way a large load felt on the front of the Susie, >>>>>>> where as the Plat handles similar loads with ease. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> All said I'll be getting another Susie this round, one size up from >>>>>>> my previous size L. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'll also be keeping a close eye on the next bath of Platy's as >>>>>>> well, I feel there is enough difference between the two to justify >>>>>>> owning >>>>>>> both, tho I'm trying to keep it down to just one bike at a time. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Best of luck with whatever you choose >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Jared in SLO >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 7:57:40 PM UTC-8 me2g...@gmail.com >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thank you Joe. My hunch is that you are right. All Rivendell bikes >>>>>>>> are multi-functional with the right components. I pulled the 2.2 tire >>>>>>>> size >>>>>>>> out of my head so that it would become a non-factor when making the >>>>>>>> comparison. I thought it was the largest Platypus could handle without >>>>>>>> fenders. Still curious to hear about ride quality from real world >>>>>>>> experience. Anyone riding a Susie for an afternoon over pavement? Or >>>>>>>> picking their Platypus for off-road trails? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 10:38:02 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hi Laura, welcome! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Tire size may be the decider for you since you mentioned 2.2. The >>>>>>>>> max listed for Platy is 50mm, which works out to about 1.95 inches. >>>>>>>>> The >>>>>>>>> Susie goes to 2.8 so is definitely the way to go if you wants lots of >>>>>>>>> air >>>>>>>>> between trail and rim. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> As for the question of which is a better all-rounder, the answer >>>>>>>>> is both! Just about every Riv ever made - and certainly most of the >>>>>>>>> current >>>>>>>>> models - will happily do all the riding you've described, so I think >>>>>>>>> you'll >>>>>>>>> need to weigh other factors: tire size, color, lugs or fillet joints, >>>>>>>>> higher toptube or lower (I'm into lower), and availability. Heck, you >>>>>>>>> can >>>>>>>>> choose based on the name you like best! 🙂 >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Joe Bernard >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 7:21:57 PM UTC-8 me2g...@gmail.com >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Thank you for the Platy feedback… Do I want to wait 6 to 9 months >>>>>>>>>> more for a bike? No! But, I will be building up a frame and parts >>>>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>>>> back-ordered as well, so buying a frame now will still involve >>>>>>>>>> waiting to >>>>>>>>>> get all of the components. Although, I am trying to make my mind up >>>>>>>>>> fast >>>>>>>>>> incase I decide on a Susie. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I love the build of both bikes. I am not sure I want a tig welded >>>>>>>>>> version. Nothing wrong with tig welded bikes, but I already have one >>>>>>>>>> in the >>>>>>>>>> vintage MTB category. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> My theoretical question is: if components and tires are the same, >>>>>>>>>> how do the two bikes ride on pavement and easy trails? Is one of >>>>>>>>>> the bikes >>>>>>>>>> a better all-rounder??? >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 9:07:15 PM UTC-5 bjmi...@gmail.com >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Am I making this up, or is there going to be a Platypus style >>>>>>>>>>> frame that will be tig welded and a little stouter tubing coming as >>>>>>>>>>> well? >>>>>>>>>>> Would that possibly be something that would fit the bill for Laura? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Ben, who could be imagining things, in Omaha >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Dec 5, 2021, at 8:01 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! < >>>>>>>>>>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hi Laura! >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I have a Platypus and am a big fan of it. I have not ridden a >>>>>>>>>>> Susie, but I do have a Clem (which is in the same Hillibike >>>>>>>>>>> category as >>>>>>>>>>> Susie). I won’t speak to trail riding because I don’t do a lot of >>>>>>>>>>> it, and >>>>>>>>>>> my bikes are set up differently. But I see Blue Lug videos showing >>>>>>>>>>> guys >>>>>>>>>>> riding Platys all over the darn countryside, so it’s probably >>>>>>>>>>> doable. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> My point would be this: How soon are you looking to get a bike? >>>>>>>>>>> Because there is a shipment of incoming Susies heading to Rivendell >>>>>>>>>>> soon, >>>>>>>>>>> like this month, but there will be no Platypuses until middle to >>>>>>>>>>> late 2022. >>>>>>>>>>> (Rivendell says May 2022, but their bikes always seem a couple/few >>>>>>>>>>> months >>>>>>>>>>> delayed. Last year they said Platys would come October, then >>>>>>>>>>> November, and >>>>>>>>>>> so on and so forth. They actually came in April or May of the next >>>>>>>>>>> year.) >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> So, if you want a bike soon, get a Susie. If you want to wait, >>>>>>>>>>> Platys will arrive later in 2022. >>>>>>>>>>> L >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 5:08:15 PM UTC-8 >>>>>>>>>>> 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-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/3854c011-f48f-4b08-ae6f-4e378c1d77ean%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/3854c011-f48f-4b08-ae6f-4e378c1d77ean%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>> >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/a5Q_G831l3w/unsubscribe >>> . >>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/1b45ac89-ecd2-4ebe-ad7f-4e222e6f7113n%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/1b45ac89-ecd2-4ebe-ad7f-4e222e6f7113n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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