Platypus New Bike Day

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JAS

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Jul 14, 2021, 1:25:07 AM7/14/21
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My, oh my!  Leah (and others) are right about the Platypus...svelte, agile and beautiful.  I love the mermaid color and aside from acquiring a Nitto rack when they're back in stock, I'm pretty happy with the build.  I learned a lot by collecting the parts as I could find them and have a great local bike shop that put it all together.  (Thanks Michael and Dan at Bayview Bikes!).  What a delight to ride and I have to admit I often just stand and stare because it's so pretty.  

A few details:
The metal fenders are from Velo Orange,  silver Zeppelin, 52mm.  Plenty of room for the 48mm Soma Shikoro tires.  Other bits include Velocity Dyad wheels, 32 spokes, White Industries hubs, made by Rich at RBW.  Bosco handlebar with cork Ergon grips.  Selle Anatomica saddle. Nitto stem and seatpost.  MKS all-around pedals that spin like there's no tomorrow.

IMG_9869.jpg

Joe Bernard

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Jul 14, 2021, 1:56:22 AM7/14/21
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Joyce! That is a fine bicycle 🙌

Joe Bernard

Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!

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Jul 14, 2021, 9:11:30 AM7/14/21
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My, oh my! I just thrill at seeing new Platypodes appearing on my screen. Good for you, Joyce; it has been a long, long wait, but you have arrived! We have the same two bikes now, and I think you’ll find pleasure in both. But the Platy is special; when I ride it I feel like Grant made it for ME. How else do you explain how effortlessly it moves along with you? All the pretty details? The utility and strength of the frame? It just feels like Grant really considered my safety and my comfort and then added glitter when he made the Platypus. The Platypus is 100% right and you’ll never part with it. 

Enjoy every mile, RivSister,
Leah

Roberta

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Jul 15, 2021, 5:04:12 PM7/15/21
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Joyce,

This was a long time coming.    I think your comments "svelte, agile and beautiful" describes it well.   And with your wide tires, I bet you don't feel a pothole.  The honey saddle and grips give it such a soft edge--I love it.  And, metal fenders!  i wasn't going to fender mine, but changed my mind.  I got SKS, but those metal ones you have are so much nicer looking.  A very classy look!

I LOVE my AHHilsen, but end up pulling my Platy for more rides.  I think it's the feeling of freedom of the mixte design.  Your other bike is a Clem L, right, so you already know the joys of not worrying when you need to jump off bike quickly.

Many happy miles to you!

Roberta

JAS

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Jul 16, 2021, 4:15:51 PM7/16/21
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Thank you for the kind comments about my new Platy!  I took it on a 10-mile ride through mid-Whidbey Island farmland yesterday (Ebey's Prairie) and it was pure joy.  What fun to make it up a hill I'd have been walking had I been riding the Clem.  I'll put some photos on IG for you, but I'll add one here as a teaser.  

Leah, you'll probably want my jacket, but I'm sure it will be too big for you!

IMG_9876.jpg.  I As far as the fit goes, I still need to do some work on saddle position/tilt and try another long ride.  I have the saddle moved all the way back and yet it feels like my knees are too far forward.  On the accessory list I'm adding a new water bottle that matches better, bell, and rear rack.

Roberta, does your Platypus ride much different than the AHH?

#RivSisters,
Joyce

David Person

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Jul 16, 2021, 7:06:08 PM7/16/21
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Very nice, Joyce.  Enjoy.  Glad it was cool enough to warrant a jacket given what you experience a few weeks ago.  I was just up from So Cal visiting our son on the Kitsap peninsula beginning of month.  Just missed the extreme heat ourselves.

David

upyou...@yahoo.com

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Jul 20, 2021, 9:26:41 PM7/20/21
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IMG_5291.jpg
Well here she is....The Beautiful Mermaid, my new Platy.  I'm brand new to Rivendell.  I met Will a few years ago at the Philly Bike Expo and the seed was planted.  I've been riding for 30 plus years and only had 3 off the shelf bikes that were probably not the best fit but whatever.....I still loved riding and what the bike meant to me as far as taking me places and seeing the world in a different way.  The benefits to my emotional health were immeasurable.  I've been a nurse for 40 years and the last 30 in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  The fresh air and sunshine and wind in my face elevated my vibe.   I got the full Riv experience and worked with Vince on the parts selection. I took it out for a test ride today and it is smooooooth baby smoooooth.  I have some tweaking to do.  My front brakes are hitting the light arm so I have to figure that out.  Seems like I need a higher arm.  I'll post more pics later with all the details of my selections.  You have no idea how exciting this is.  I had to talk myself into believing that I was worthy of spending this much money on a bike and getting a bike made  for me.  Really exciting!!!!  I feel like a new kid.  I can't stop looking at it.  Leah said this would happen.  She caught herself walking by her bike parked in it's place and just gazed at it.  I'm doing the same thing.  It's a sexy machine with gorgeous lines.  I'm also excited to have #rivsisters and #rivbrothers.  
Smiling from ear to ear here in Trenton, NJ
50 Mermaid Platypus
Kate

Joe Bernard

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Jul 20, 2021, 9:35:56 PM7/20/21
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It's so pretty! I love that you did the "holds her Platy in the air like Leah" shot, it's a thing now!! 🙂

If you email me a pic of how the light is hitting the brake I might be able to help you sort out the problem. I'm here at: joeremi62 gmail com

Congrats!
Joe Bernard

Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!

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Jul 20, 2021, 10:49:54 PM7/20/21
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Oh, it’s wonderful! Kate, I can’t believe how many similarities I noted that we have in that photo. Mirrored sunnies, Keen sandals and a Rivendell Platypus is pretty much my identity anymore! And both of us nurses - well, too cool. I love your enthusiasm for the bike and the story of how you’ve had lesser bikes over the last 30 years. This bike will ruin you for all the rest. There just isn’t a replacement for the Rivendell experience. So happy for you!

#RivSisters,
Leah


On Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 6:26:41 PM UTC-7 upyou...@yahoo.com wrote:

Leah Peterson

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Jul 20, 2021, 10:56:05 PM7/20/21
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And yes, this is the official Platypus pose! All the Platypus owners ought to submit one! ♥️

Leah

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 20, 2021, at 7:49 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

Oh, it’s wonderful! Kate, I can’t believe how many similarities I noted that we have in that photo. Mirrored sunnies, Keen sandals and a Rivendell Platypus is pretty much my identity anymore! And both of us nurses - well, too cool. I love your enthusiasm for the bike and the story of how you’ve had lesser bikes over the last 30 years. This bike will ruin you for all the rest. There just isn’t a replacement for the Rivendell experience. So happy for you!
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Roberta

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Jul 20, 2021, 11:21:09 PM7/20/21
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It looks WONDERFUL.  And, who need a gym membership when you have a Platy to lift!   

The Riv ride is like no other.  The bike that the my Riv replaced was very similar to the nice bike you (used to) ride that your Riv replaced.  .  But, I bet you can tell the difference with a more upright ride.   It's eye opening, shoulder opening, chest opening, neck opening.  After the love you've given all those years, you deserve this extra love for yourself.  And, you got the best.

I wish you so many fantastic happy miles. 

Congratulations!!! I hope it was worth the wait many time over for you. (I know it is!).

Roberta

upyou...@yahoo.com

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Jul 21, 2021, 11:19:38 AM7/21/21
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Leah's Platy lift it is for sure!!!  #Platyposing might be my new hash tag!!!
It was also Leah's enthusiasm that I saw and felt from her photos and description of her bike and then chatting with her that gave me the emotional lift to 100% go through with the whole thing.  Thank you Leah!
Kate (just over here in Trenton, Platyposing with my bike)
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