Petite rider Platypus sizing question

[C Z]

Hi everyone, I'm interested in getting a 50cm Platypus and I have a PBH of 72cm. I noticed that the minimum PBH for a 50cm Platypus is 74cm.

Do any petite platy riders have recommendations for making a Platypus fit better?

On a 50cm platypus, would I have to ride with the seat all the way down?

I'd definitely appreciate any photos of shorties like me (approx 5') standing alongside their Platypus frames.

I'm aware that the Clem comes in an even smaller size but I'm more interested in the Platypus aesthetic and color choices.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to rivendell frames/bikes in my area to test ride and I'd be purchasing online. 

Thanks for your help!

[Dorothy C]

If you can find one, the 50cm Cheviot, the precursor to the Platypus, is a little bit smaller than the 50cm Platy. It also has the lugged construction and cream headtube, but has long reach sidepulls instead of V-brakes. 

[lucky...@gmail.com]

I don’t know what area you are in but there is a 50 cm Roscoe Platypus frame on the Rivendell Facebook list. I’m not sure if this link will work but I will try.

On Feb 12, 2025, at 08:53, Dorothy C <doroth...@gmail.com> wrote:

If you can find one, the 50cm Cheviot, the precursor to the Platypus, is a little bit smaller than the 50cm Platy. It also has the lugged construction and cream headtube, but has long reach sidepulls instead of V-brakes. 

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[Steve]

ccajita,  I can offer this. I ride a 50cm Platy. With a PBH of 81 my seat post shows 102mm of usable length (i.e. it could be dropped 102mm lower), so I think you'd be fine.    Steve

[Bill Lindsay]

Steve's photo is the type of thing you need to base your decision on.  One important fact about Steve's photo is it shows a fairly LOW profile saddle.  Some saddles, sprung Brooks saddles in particular, are themselve a LOT taller than the saddle Steve shows.  Keep that in mind.  

Also, your PBH is relevant, but not critical.  What is critical is what saddle height you are shooting for.  Like the readers of this list who are all-in on mid-foot pedaling, they run their saddle height a LOT lower than their PBH might normally suggest.  

There's a 50cm Platypus in my garage, and I can slam the saddle and tell you what saddle height that ends up with.  Steve didn't say what saddle height is in the photo.  Let's guess it is 71cm.  Slammed, it may be 61cm.  Is 61cm a low enough saddle height for you?  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Josh C]

My wife runs a 50cm platypus with a PBH of 78. She runs the saddle lower, like at the height of someone with a 72 PBH, which she's more comfortable with. I believe you'd be fine. 

[Pam Bikes]

If you're near NC, I have a 50 Betty you can try out.  

[Mackenzy Albright]

I would suggest giving Riv a quick email or call and they could certainly give advice or even quickly measure up (especially if you know your preferred saddle height) to make sure it'd be a good fit. I had a brief exchange with Will about whether or not I would fit a 64cm Clem given I was slightly out of range, similar to you, and he was able to quickly determine the saddle would go low enough with no issues. He was very kind and gave great advice and it put my mind to ease before a large cost investment. 

[Jason Fuller]

Also, it's worth noting that if you use shorter cranks, for instance 155 or 160mm, your saddle height would go up 10-15mm compared to 160mm cranks.  This, combined with Steve's photo, gives me full confidence you could get the saddle to the correct height without running out of room as long as you don't run an unusually tall saddle as Bill notes.  Beyond that, I'm confident you'd find your fit by using not too long of a stem and using swept back bars. Billie bars would be a good bet since they don't rise too much, or Choco which are a little narrower 

[Jason Fuller]

Bah, typo'd on the crank blurb, I meant 10-15mm higher saddle vs 170mm cranks. 

[Josh C]

Ditto, Pam. If you're near Indianapolis, you can give the Platty a spin. 

[C Z]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful answers.

I got measured at a bike shop and they confirmed that my PBH is 72 and my saddle height is 63. It's cutting it close on the 50cm platypus frame. I spoke to Will on the phone and he said that the minimum saddle height of the Platypus is 63cm so I'd probably just fit but I do want to test ride to be safe. Since I'm living abroad, I'll have to wait until I'm back in the US later this year to test ride.

Will did however tease a brand new model of which they'll receive prototypes in the next few weeks. It will come in a size 46 frame, step over, grocery getter, do everything bike. I'll be torn between that and the Platy whenever I get to test ride. New model is estimated to be ready early 2026 or late 2025. I'll be patiently waiting until then.

[Johnny Alien]

"Will did however tease a brand new model of which they'll receive prototypes in the next few weeks. It will come in a size 46 frame, step over, grocery getter, do everything bike."

So I guess the new bike is not a kids bike then. This sounds a lot like a Clem though. It originally came in a 45cm as well.

[Doug H.]

This is so interesting. "Grocery getter, do everything bike." That could apply to the Clem for sure. How will it differ I wonder??? Hmmmm.

Doug

[Joe Bernard]

Lugged Clem? We have a lugged Roadini now so it's certainly possible. 

Joe Bernard 

[Roberta]

Well, it sounds like you might have two great bikes to choose from. You can make the Platy fit with shorter cranks and careful selection for saddle and seat post. If you like the new bike,  it sounds like you’ll have a lot more options for those three items. 

Roberta 

Philadelphia 

On Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 2:47:29 AM UTC-5 cca...@gmail.com wrote: