Back On A Platypus

[Jared Wilson]

Through various dealings the last year I worked my way down to only a Susie, trying to convince myself that I wasn't overbiking, but I was. I didn't need the tall BB or the clearance for 2.8's for the type of riding I generally do, and for the amount of time I spend on trails it was hard to justify having so much bike.

Some of you may remember a WTT posting from the end of '22, I was looking to trade for a 60cm Platypus to fill in the gap that was left when I gave my wife my old 60cm and we sold her 55cm. Shortly after posting I was approached by Mack with the Canadian Caveat, but we were determined to make it worthwhile for both parties. After Mack crunched some numbers and we wheeled and dealed a bit we came to an agreement and would soon have new steeds!

I received my new to me Platypus on Thursday of last week and wasted no time getting it set up. Mack had a killer 3x1 drivetrain and I knew I'd like to try the same, so I acquired some parts and pieced it together. I'm still dialing in this set up but so far it's showing a lot of promise and I couldn't be more grateful for Mack's advice along the way.

So here it is, as of the ride I just got back from, and I'm so happy to be back on a Platypus.

Jared in SLO, CA

[Jared Wilson]

PHOTO

[Tom Goodmann]

Nice set-up! The bike looks very much at home in its new setting. Congratulations on the new-to-you bike, and to both of you on a successful exchange.

On Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 6:58:06 PM UTC-5 Jared Wilson wrote:

PHOTO

[Joe Bernard]

That's a fine bicycle, Jared! I did a 3x1 a few years ago and loved it, it taught me that I often downshift a rear cassette unnecessarily. 3 gears is enough! 

Joe Bernard 

[DavidP]

Nice! That Platy looks ready for anything. I love the versatility of this bike.

-Dave

[Mack Penner]

I loved this bike, and loved it 3x1 most of all. So glad that Jared is keeping the 3x1 Platy alive (along with many of its stickers, which is no small thing on account of the strange bunch I had on there). Such a great build!

The northbound Susie will get here early next week. I'll get it built up within a week or so, hopefully, and then I'll try to remember to hijack this Platy thread with a Susie build photo. I'm hoping to wind up with something like a fatter tire, higher bb version of the Platy. In any case, both of the bikes that come out of this trade will be 3x1 :)

Mack

[Kim Hetzel]

Hi Jared,

What size Panaracer Gravel Kings are you running on your Platypus ?  What is the maximum tire size you can run ?  Asking for a friend, who owns a Platypus.

Thank-you.

Kim Hetzel

Yelm, WA.

[Jared Wilson]

Thanks everyone for chiming in, much appreciated!

Mack, can't wait to see your spin on the Susie. I'm not sure how much long the Kristofferson sticker will last, but I'm giving it my best!

Kim, these tires are 700x50. My wife has 2.1's on her Platypus right now with sufficient clearance, and I believe they're rated to clear 2.2's or 48's with fenders.

FWIW I'm a huge fan of these GravelKing SK tires, they're an amazing value as far as things go these days.

Hope that helps :)

Jared

[Kim Hetzel]

Jared...

I thank-you very much for your information. I will most definitely share this with my friend.

Kim Hetzel

Yelm, WA.

[Tom Palmer]

Hi Jared,

Love your Platypus. I have a mermaid 60cm that I am smitten with. How much room for fenders over the 50cm gravel kings? What is your gearing on the 3x1 setup? I am running 1x10 now, but I ride a lot of single speed and some fixed gear on other bikes. The way mine rides, it seems to beg for a fixed gear setup. It will be effort and expense with the vertical dropouts to go fixed. I may just do a 3x1 like yours for now and see if that will satisfy. 

Tom Palmer,

With our first snow in 2023 in Twin Lake, MI

....and already considering a second Platypus

[Jared Wilson]

Hey Tom,

Thanks for the love! So glad to hear you're also aboard a 60cm mermaid, dreamy aren't they? 

I was able to squeeze what I believe are the VO 63mm fluted fenders over the 2.1's on my wife's Platypus with just a hair of room, so I'd think the 50mm GravelKing's would fit nicely under the same fenders (only 2mm larger than Riv recommends, which is generally on the conservative side).

Gearing is 44/36/22 right now with a 24 granny gear en route, it was the only ring I didn't replace when setting things up and it's giving me trouble so I'll be swapping it out later this week. 17t Wolf Tooth aluminum cog with GearClamp single speed conversion and a Paul Melvin round out the rest of the drivetrain.

I was 1x9 for almost all my other Rivendells and I'm thrilled with this set up, it's like a more refined version of my old SimpleOne.

I'm not sure I'd take it all the way with going fixed on a Platypus, but the 3x1 seems to be a winner for my application.

Keep us posted with what you decide to do!

Jared

[Mack Penner]

I'm back, as promised, to hijack Jared's new Platy thread. 

My promise to hijack might be the only promise I kept: even after it arrived I built the bike up sooner than planned, and in 2x1 rather than 3x1 mode. No derailer. The plan is to run 32x17 95% of the time and 22x17 in... emergencies. 

While I wait for spring I will study Will's kick-shifting technique. And speaking of Will: I admit, this build is a little copy-catty! I told my friend Andrew (shout out Andrew) that I'm not a copy-cat because I single-speeded my Roadini before Will did. Andrew said he bought the explanation. 

Sadly, the Susie is about to spend a lot of time in the basement. Winters here permit commuting almost all of the time with the right equipment/bike, road riding of all sorts can be had if the wind stays away and the temps are mild, and trails can be had when it's freezing, again with the right bike/equipment (I just built up a Surly Pugsley, also 2x1, for that business). Otherwise, though, the trails here are too icy/muddy/etc for the Susie, at least in this iteration, and especially this year. Sometimes there are some unicorn days. In any case, I can't wait for late-March to really introduce the Susie! 

I've attached a photo from my dawdle through the park test-ride. I think bikes are kinda ugly until the tires get dusty - if you agree, then I'm sorry about the lack of dust. Swampy day! I have since adjusted the saddle tilt just slightly, but otherwise no changes. I think it's a winner! As I was saying, I was pretty much hoping for a higher bb, bigger tire Platy. That is indeed how the bike feels to me.

Building the bike was nice. I did 95% of the work in my garage last night, up until the moment I realized I was short a brake cable. After a morning windstorm here today, the afternoon turned pleasant and mild so I could do finishing touches with the workstand outside. You can spot my helper glaring through the spokes in the second photo. 

Most of all: huge thanks to Jared for sparking this operation! I think we're both very happy with how things have turned out. 

Cheers,

Mack in Alberta 

[Mack Penner]

What the heck; for good measure, a photo in the sunshine. 

Mack

[JW]

Looking good, Mack.

Enjoy!

Jared

[Shoji Takahashi]

That green color is superb.