New Bike Day and first ride

[Tom Palmer]

Hi all,

I picked a Mermaid Platypus frameset from a very nice local Riv/Crust fan. Thanks Derek!

Spent a couple of weeks doing a parts bin build. The only things I bought new were 2 chains because Derek has a Clem Jr to build and needed the one from this frame and a tandem length derailler cable. Was able to get the first ride in today and had fit tweaked within a few miles. I am at the bottom of the fit guide for the big 60cm but Will at Riv confirmed I would be OK. I did get to do quick ride before I purchased so confident it would work well and it does. Very nice first ride, smooth, zippy, and quick handling. Already rethinking the tires- only 700x42 Continental speed Rides. Just thinking bigger since my roads are fairly rough chip seal in general, but want to keep fenders. I will do a second post on how large a tire with fenders. Looking forward to tomorrows ride, it will be longer and more hills. Build list is as follows- steel Albatross bars and steel stem, Ergon grips, Tektro V brake and Avid levers, and Microshift 10 speed bar end shifter shifting Deore derailler. Thompson seat post and Specialized body Geometry saddle from 90's. Alfine single ring crankset. Wheels are pretty nice, DT Swiss 240s hubs and not sure which DT Swiss rims. Fenders are Bontrager meant for 26" tires, but fit well. 

Planning on front rack that will tame the quick handling a bit, but worth the utility. 

Tom Palmer

Twin Lake, MI 

[Mr. Ray]

Congrats....your rims look like DT Swiss TK540 (double eyelet) rims with the old decals.  The TK540 are really strong rims if wheels were built properly.  My set were used for loaded RTW touring for over 20,000 miles and were still true when bike was sold.  

[DavidP]

Congrats - love those silver Avid levers!

On Friday, November 25, 2022 at 3:52:45 PM UTC-5 Tom Palmer wrote:

[CC]

Hey, Tom. Great looking bike! As a new member here that has yet to get ahold of a Rivendell, I've been eyeing the Platypus. Where do you land in regards to your height and PBH? I'm 6ft with a PBH of 87cm, which puts me on the same frame size as what you got. Without every being on a Rivendell, though, their larger frame sizes do give me a bit of pause. Thanks. 

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[Tom Palmer]

My PBH is 84.5 and I am 5' 9". I am surprised how normal the bike looks. The stem is longer than I anticipated with Albatross bars and such long reach- 90mm stem. I emailed Will at Riv and he was confident it would fit. 

I did another ride yesterday and really gelling with the bike. I feel really "in" the bike, which is primary directive for all of my bikes. Handles so well and yet comfy as a Cadillac.

Tom

[Richard Rose]

Tom, my Clem came with a 135mm FacePlater stem & Bosco bars. I was absolutely convinced it would be way to long & the first thing to get changed. It is now one of my favorite things about the fit & the ride. I just love how roomy the cockpit is and how that contributes to the “in the bike” feeling you describe. Good stuff.

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 27, 2022, at 6:59 AM, Tom Palmer <volvot...@gmail.com> wrote:

My PBH is 84.5 and I am 5' 9". I am surprised how normal the bike looks. The stem is longer than I anticipated with Albatross bars and such long reach- 90mm stem. I emailed Will at Riv and he was confident it would fit. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/0fa3847f-cc85-49cd-a70b-1a95912bcfd8n%40googlegroups.com.

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Tom! No way! Are you bringing this to our next Riv Ride in the springtime here in lovely Michigan?!

[Tom Palmer]

Leah- Yes way! I have as many step through bikes as you now, but only 1 Rivendell. Looking forward to several Michigan Riv rides next year. 

Tom

[Leah Peterson]

Riding with another Platypus in our Michigan Riv Rides will thrill me TO NO END. I’m SO glad you got your mermaid Platy. I am on the bottom end of the 55, so I bet mine fits the same as your 60 does for you. I love it and would never want to size down. So excited to hear all about your rides and how you like your first Rivendell. And very wise to have your other step thrus, too. They all have their purposes.

Leah

On Nov 27, 2022, at 2:59 PM, Tom Palmer <volvot...@gmail.com> wrote:

Leah- Yes way! I have as many step through bikes as you now, but only 1 Rivendell. Looking forward to several Michigan Riv rides next year. 

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[Justus G]

Correct.  DT Swiss TK 7.1 rims.  The precursor to the TK540.  I have the same DT240/TK540 combo on one of my Rosco Bubbe's.  Great Wheelset is really an understatement.

[Tom Palmer]

Good call on the wheelset- I finally remembered to look. I really like them and wanting to use them on the Platypus, prompted the unRivish black lower half build. 

Ride update- 5 rides in and really liking the Platypus for our chipseal roads and dirt. First change is swapped on RH Snoqualmie Pass  tires and nicer ride than the Speed Rides. Now wanting a little wider bars than the Albatross. Kicking myself for selling Chocos I had, but that's how some of us roll, isn't it? Going to put on some VO Granola bars I liked on the buena vista. 

Tom

[John Johnson]

If it makes you feel any better, the Chocos are narrower than the Albatross by 15mm. 

[Tom Palmer]

Thanks John, I do feel better. I recalled they were a little wider.

Tom