Yellowolley incoming?

[thalasin]

I've seen a few glimpses of the Yellowolley on social media. Riv did adjust the production schedule to July, so I'd think the pre-sale is coming up. Anyone heard anything?

I'm attaching an image that I pulled from a video on Blue Lug's reels. Looks like the liftatube has indeed been eliminated.

Tracy

[Eric Daume]

Looks a lot like the Rosco Plat. 

Eric

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[Bill Lindsay]

I will be a little sad if there is no lift-a-tube.  I will be a little less likely to buy one if there is no lift-a-tube.  I will be a little more likely to hire Erik Billings to install a lift-a-tube if there is no lift-a-tube

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Adrian]

Bill, sorry to burst your bubble but I confirmed with Riv in person and they will not be including a lift-a-tube due to not passing certain structual standards or something along those lines. Also, website makes it seem like it will only be coming in as a complete for around $2,700 +/- which I'm slightly bummed about. Odd that it will be coming in more expensive than the previous Clem completes. Although I know tariffs and inflation have played a part in this I'm sure.

[Tony Lockhart]

Tracy,

I'll chime in and share that I test rode one when I was in the bay area last summer and it was a really fun bike to ride. I think folks at Riv HQ have another winner with this bike.....very sprightly and easy to handle....and the color is phenomenal too. 

[Kim H.]

@Tony,

So, the notable question is where is this prototype Yellowolley bicycle ? 

Does anyone know ?

Is it still at RBW headquarters ?

For all of you that were hoping to buy a Yellowolley bicycle, you can always do a vast search for a 2019 Trek Chelsea bicycle with a 9-speed drive train, fenders and disc brakes to name a few highlights. It comes in Canary Yellow, and White Gold. 

https://www.bikeroar.com/products/trek/chelsea-9-2015/specs

https://momentummag.com/trek-chelsea-9-city-bike-review/

I would delight in finding one and test riding it.

Kim Hetzel, who loves step-through bicycles. 

[Adrian]

When I visited Rivendell in February, the prototypes were both there. There was a smaller 47cm one and a 58cm. The yellow was a lot more jarring in person and they even stated that they hoped it was a different shade of yellow for the final run. 

It's a fun bike for sure, I can't wait to see the final result.

[Valerie Yates]

I’ve seen mentions of this bike but have not yet grasped what is its niche. Could someone explain for what kind of rides it is intended and how it compares to existing or historic offerings?  Has this been described somewhere? So curious. I love yellow. 

Val in Boulder CO

[thalasin]

Val,

I think it's a more road-oriented Clem. Less stout. Also less stout than the Platypus. It's (allegedly) only going to be offered as a complete to keep the cost down.

It's described on the website as a Country Bike. 

Homer, Sam, Platypus, YelloWolleY (YWY)  Ride tires 33mm to 50mm. Basically, all-around useful fat-tire road and “light trail” bikes Homer and YelloWolley are 75 percent road, 25 percent trail Sam and Platypus,  50-50. 

I definitely want a mixte but am torn on getting the Yellowolley or waiting on a used Platy to drop into my lap. The allure of lugs is strong.

Tracy in Denver

[thalasin]

Also from the website:

PLATYPUS and YelloWolleY are easy-stepover models, for any road use and lighter trail use. The Platypus is fully lugged, so it costs more—about $3,800 a la carte. The YWY has a TIG-welded head tube, so it costs less. Designed for city-use and commuting, but light trail use, no problem. It rides the same as the Platypus and YWY, takes the same brakes (V-brakes). Available only as a complete bicycle, which keeps the cost down. About $2,700. Available July 2026. 

[Pat McCullar]

I rode a Yellowolley earlier this year during a visit to RBW. 

Nice bike, and they did have all four sizes available to test. 

Pat

[iamkeith]

On Friday, May 15, 2026 at 10:59:35 AM UTC-6 thalasin wrote:

I think it's a more road-oriented Clem. Less stout. Also less stout than the Platypus. It's (allegedly) only going to be offered as a complete to keep the cost down.

It's described on the website as a Country Bike. 

Homer, Sam, Platypus, YelloWolleY (YWY)  Ride tires 33mm to 50mm. Basically, all-around useful fat-tire road and “light trail” bikes Homer and YelloWolley are 75 percent road, 25 percent trail Sam and Platypus,  50-50. 

I guess that might partly explain why the Charlie Gallop lost the lower, curved top tube for the final design.  Otherwise, this bike and it might have been even more similar, with lugged vs un-lugged being the primary difference?   Maybe a little lighter tubing.  

I don't dislike the Yellowolley at all, but I too have been strugling to figure out what the distinction is, in terms of how it fits into the lineup.

 

[Bill Lindsay]

I think the distinction is mainly that when they have them to sell, it will be distinctive in that it's the one they have to sell.  

The ideal for me would be to turn back the clock and not sell my Rosco Bubbe mountain step through, code named Trusty MUSTy, and mistakenly referred to as the Medium Mountain Mixte.  Medium Mountain Mixte caused extreme objections from those who correctly pointed out that the MMM was a step through but not a mixte at all.  

I definitely want a true step through in my size, someday.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Drew Fitchette]

Agree with Bill. I'd also add that because the bike is more affordable for us, I assume it's more affordable for Riv to order. Between it and the Clem it probably helps them serve more customers too. 

I'm excited to see all the photos and info when this presale comes up, though I've got my heart set on a Clem from the next run.

[Valerie Yates]

Thanks all. Sounds like a good option to add to the mix. Gives buyers more ways to optimize, or just to dither. The completes are generally such a good deal. 

Tracy - I hear you re lugs. i love them too. Once bike is decked out with accessories, I stop seeing the joins. 

Yellow looks fun and fresh.

Bill, I’d like to be reminded of your RB mountain mixte, perhaps in a new thread. I had a bubbe with liftatube and it was set up beautifully but I never fully loved it. I am not sure why.

[Steven Seelig]

On the whole step-through/mixte debate.  I agree with those that ascribe mixte status only to bike with a double top tube rather than a straight one.  I also disagree with Rivendel that a platy or this new bike are step-throughs, mostly because of how Rivendell suggests to buy their frames.  I have a 60cm Platy and I am 5' 9" and love the bike with Billy bars.  It is absolutely the right size for me.  But it ain't a step-through in any way, shape or form for me like a Clem.  My definition, can I lift my hiking boots over the top tube to mount without scuffing the top tube, and because the top tub is higher with the 60cm, there is just no way to do that.  Ditto with the, "i'm cool and am stepping my right leg through the top tube for my dramatic dismount so that I am immediately ready for action."  Maybe that works if I am wearing sandals, but definitely not wearing anything with a thick legged sole.

I definitely have a cargo e-bike that is step through where I do dismounts dramticus, but not my Platy.  Maybe if the frame were smaller or maybe if I wasn't of retirement age.  Am I an outlier?

[Bill Lindsay]

So a Platypus is neither a mixte nor a step through.  What the heck is it?  Is it just a nice bike?  I guess it's just a nice bike.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Joe Bernard]

Bill Lindsay said: "So a Platypus is neither a mixte nor a step through. What the heck is it? Is it just a nice bike? I guess it's just a nice bike."

Will calls them step-overs. Which I suppose you younger folks can actually do but my inflexible old joints won't let me step over the toptube on these frames. My glorious and wonderful Clem L is a true step-through and super easy to get my leg through and mount. To quote the great Leah Peterson, Clem's are gems! 

Joe Bernard 

Stepping through in Clearlake CA 

[Nick Shoemaker]

Umm….let’s check the facts. YelloWolleY is:

-a roadier version of the Clem

-painted yellow

-drops in July

This is clearly the first ever RBW/TdF collabo! The higher top tube increases lateral stiffness by at least 20 percent with no discernible loss in vertical compliance! Here’s the stock build kit :)

(But seriously, any bike that is remotely based on a Clem will be amazing!)

On May 17, 2026, at 10:41 AM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

Bill Lindsay said: "So a Platypus is neither a mixte nor a step through. What the heck is it? Is it just a nice bike? I guess it's just a nice bike."

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[Kim H.]

@Joe,

I thank you for mentioning about Will calling the Clems "step-overs". I wasn’t aware of this. For me, the Clem is a step-through bicycle. The Platypus is considered a step-over bicycle in my opinion. I had thought about buying one multiple times over and over again. However, I decided not to.

I came here to chime in and wave a big flag of favor and delight for my Clem as my favorite as a step-through Rivendell bicycle as a senior cyclist with aging bones and joints along with Joe.

Kim Hetzel waiting to see if the Clem comes out in the color periwinkle. 

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[Joe Bernard]

Kim,

My response was to Bill about Platys and Yellowolleys and such, which Will does indeed call step-overs. 

[Kim H.]

@Joe,

I understand.

I wanted to follow up along with your appreciation of your Clem. 

Kim Hetzel. 

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[Joe Bernard]

Clems are gems! I'm actually spoiled by mine, it keeps doing everything I need a bike to do perfectly 🙌

[Davey Two Shoes]

I was just at HW over the weekend, what a cool experience! The prototypes are still there and what I heard was that the lift handle will not make it to production. Something about it not meeting safety regulations. They described the bike to me as a Platy with lighter tubing built like a clem (Tig welded)

[Valerie Yates]

That does help clarify it for me. I look forward to seeing them. Thanks! 

[Kim H.]

@Joe 

Very well said !

I am very glad to hear that from you. 

Kim Hetzel 

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