Platypus Questions

[Hugo Halder]

Hi Everyone, I have been enjoying my 60cm Platypus since I received it in October. On rides, I have been loving the extra long top tube, however, it has made the bike unwieldy when it is in storage, on the repair stand or locked up. Anyone else having these issues? Anyone have any suggestions for 1. a good kickstand, and 2. a good position on the repair stand? Thanks!

As far as kickstands are concerned, I did try the single leg kick stand that came with my Big Dummy long tail cargo bike, however, it did not work. The Big Dummy's extra length is in the extra long chain stay whereas the Platypus's extra length is in every part of the geometry being stretched out. I also purchased a Pletscher twin kickstand, however it appears that the kickstand plate on the Platypus is built only for a single kick stand. Has anyone had any luck getting the twin on the Platypus, or should I just shell out and get one of the recommended kickstands from Riv? If so, does someone recommend a specific model for the Platypus?

Thanks! - HH 

[Roberta]

Hi, Hugo.

I'm so glad you're enjoying the ride of your bike.  Me, too! I had a stand (no kick.  you'd remove it when not in use) that attached to the rear axle.  While that worked perfect for my shorter chain stay Homer, there was too much weight in front and Platy would get tipsy.  I opted for the standard Greenfield single leg kickstand with the foot, so it wouldn't mar my floor.  Works perfectly.  <$20.

Roberta

[Tom Wyland]

My double-leg Pletscher kickstand wouldn't fit on the my Platy kickstand plate. I ended up with a BV adjustable leg single-leg kickstand (from Amazon). It works OK but the mounting bolt keeps loosening up.  I'll try some more loctite on the mounting bolt to see if that helps.

Has anyone tried the Velo Orange double kickstand?

Tom 

[Jared Wilson]

We're using a VO double on Ariel's Platypus with mixed results. 

Fitment is fine, but with a rear biased load the bike will always shift to the rear wheel touching instead of the front, resulting in the handlebars shifting to one side or another. 

Extreme caution must be used to keep the bike in an upright position, and for this reason we'll be switching to a single leg stand sooner than later.

If your bike is unloaded or has a front biased load I could see it working alright, just not worth the hassle in our case.

Best

Jared

[Jeffrey Arita]

My wife and I use Click-Stands.  The stand is not attached to your bike.  Yes, another thing to carry on your bike.  But it works very well for very heavy cyclotouring/bikepacking bikes.  It should work well for your Platy.  In reading everyone's comments, we had exactly the same issues trying to use a fixed/attached sidestand.  It turns out that using the Click-Stand combined with a means to "set the front parking brake" does the trick (sort of a nice anti-theft device, too).

When working on bikes, I use a Park Tool PCS-9.x series.  I always attach the clamp to the exposed seatpost (yes, my wife's Betty Foy commuter with rear rack and panniers was a heavy lift).  I never attach it to any part of the frame as the clamping forces can be pretty brutal.  Some of our bikes have very little seatpost showing, so I have to mark the seatpost, loosen the seatpost binder bolt, extend the seatpost so that the clamp has enough to grab.  After working on the bike, readjust back to the original height.

Good luck,

Jeff

Claremont, CA

[Jay Lonner]

I also like and recommend the Click-Stand. 

Jay Lonner

Bellingham, WA

Sent from my Atari 400

On Jan 7, 2022, at 7:22 PM, Jeffrey Arita <jeffre...@gmail.com> wrote:

My wife and I use Click-Stands.  The stand is not attached to your bike.  Yes, another thing to carry on your bike.  But it works very well for very heavy cyclotouring/bikepacking bikes.  It should work well for your Platy.  In reading everyone's comments, we had exactly the same issues trying to use a fixed/attached sidestand.  It turns out that using the Click-Stand combined with a means to "set the front parking brake" does the trick (sort of a nice anti-theft device, too).

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[Eric Floden]

+1 Click-Stand

When my wife got her used Surly LHT it came with one and she really took to it

EricF

Vancouver

[Ian A]

I don't have a Platy, but on my bikes I like to use a toe strap to lock the front brake lever. Even a heavily loaded bike will stay up securely with just a single point of contact, like the corner of the seat resting against a signpost for example.

If you go the ClickStand route, locking the brake is needed anyway. But in my experience having the front wheel locked dispenses with the need for a stand 90%+ of the time.

IanA Alberta Canada

[Ryan Frahm]

Another click stand fan here. I’ve used mine on several different bikes over the years I’ve had it and it works well with any I’ve used so far! 

[Philip Barrett]

I have the Pletscher on mine, works great & super stable. It was black but I stripped it to match the rest of the bike.

[Hugo Halder]

Any suggestions with regards to putting it on a work stand? For some reason, it feels wobbly when I clamp the seat post, but I probably just need to get used to it and trust that it will be okay.

[Rusty Click]

Another question...How much does the Platypus weigh?  When I see pictures, especially of Leah's beautiful bike, it seems to be exactly what my wife describes as the bike she wants.  When I offer to look for one to replace the Tr*k we bought in desperation this past year, she says she doesn't want that heavy of a bike.  She may be projecting my Atlantis and Sam Hillborne builds onto the Platy.

Rusty C.

Pgh, PA

[Joe Bernard]

As long as the seatpost is tight in the frame and the clamp is tight on the post you should be good. My very long Platy-ish custom is the same way in my Park stand, those wheels are wayyyy out there and you're going to get a rocking effect when working on it. 

Joe Bernard

[Philip Barrett]

Even my lightened Platypus is close to the limit of the Park folding stand, it's much about the length as anything else but add in the extra 5-8lbs of the typical Riv build up and you're really pushing it.

[Philip Barrett]

I'm with your wife here! Certainly not a weight-weenie but a lighter bike is more fun to ride, feels more lively and doesn't bum you out on the hills. My personal feeling is that around 28 to 30lbs built up gives you a sweet venn between a rideable weight with the parts you want and not spending a ludicrous sum.

The typical Rib factory builds are, to my mind, overly heavy and come in at around 28lbs, sans frameset! Those Kenda tires are 5lbs a set & the double-Silver crankset is 2.5lbs alone! Don't tell them I told you this but a 53cm Platypus frame & fork is 9lbs so you can work backwards from there.

Some helpful weight tips IMHO are;

•  1x Crankset: if you don't need the ratios ditch the front derailleur - I use the Silver as a single with a Wolf-Tooth 42 ring, 11-34 on the rear, saves weight & money
• Lightweight tires: I'm running the Rene Hearse Loup Loup (650b) at just over 1.5lbs for the pair with the standard casing, Jan is a tire evangelist and albeit pricey, he builds fantastic rubber
• Wheels: good, light wheels make all the difference in the world (less rotational mass) - a set of mid-line Velocity wheels (another great company) will save you 1.5lbs over the Hands-On typically supplied with a Rivendell build

All said & done, my Platypus is 29lbs with a Nitto front rack & Wald basket, Brooks saddle & a small pouch for a tube & repair kit. Yes I could go lower but the cost/benefit ratio then begins to tip drastically.

[Eric Daume]

With the extra tubing, the Platypus will definitely be a heavier frame than your Sam, and likely similar or heavier to the Atlantis. Just guessing. 

I'm also guessing your Trek (assuming a generic aluminum fitness hybrid) will probably be lighter.

Eric

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[Roberta]

I don't mind a heavy-ish bike (I do own Rivendells, after all), but it can be too heavy for me to lift onto a bike rack or over a log.  I never weighed my Platy, but I built it up with lightish parts--Brevet rims, some kind of Gravel King tires run tubeless, 1x with Garbaruk cassette (they remove unneeded metal), SKS fenders and lighter Axiom rack.  One light nylon bag.   I did spend "poundage" by installing a Brooks B68 and Greenfield kickstand.   I can lift it, but it is heavier than my more bare AHomerHilsen.

The ride, though, is light--light and breezy.  My old "lightened up" Appaloosa probably weighed about the same, and it rode great, but not the light and breezy ride of the Platy.

If you're ever on the eastern side of the state, I'm in Philadelphia and wouldn't mind letting your wife test my 55cm Platy.

Roberta

[Joe Bernard]

Yes, a Platy should be on the lighter side, remember it's derived from the Cheviot which was kind of a droptube Hillborne road bike with road brakes. Grant changed the brakes and a couple frame details, but it still should be closer to Hillborne and Homer than the touring/fire roads category covered by Atlantis and Appaloosa. 

[Rusty Click]

Thanks to all,

It may be a tough sell as opposed to continued tinkering with the Treks setup, but maybe, just maybe I can convince her to try the Riv.

Roberta, I too, believe that the Platy will be a little heavier but with a lighter build, it would fit her needs nicely.  She is strictly a bike path/rail-trail rider and It would be "rolling weight", and a comfy ride.  If we are ever out your way, I would love for her to take you up on a test ride.  Future Riv Sister??

Joe...Originally my Sam was racked and bagged up for touring that it wasn't really meant for.  The Atlantis (62 MUSA) has since taken that roll, and the Sam is on a diet, loosing the heavy back rack, basket, and soon the wheelset and tires.  Then, I believe, it will be similar weight-wise to a Platypus build that she would ride.

Phillip...much appreciated points on weight saving choices as opposed to a standard Riv build.  If this quest goes forward, I'll definitely refer to these.  She rides with a Ortlieb handlebar bag and a small under seat bag for repair needs...that's it.  ( I have to carry anything else, like jackets and spare water bottles in a pannier)

Rusty Click

Pgh, PA

[Philip Barrett]

Good luck - spend the $ on the Rene Hearse whatever route you chose for a build. They really are a lovely smooth tire & run beautifully comfortable at around 45psi even on the horrendous potholed streets in my neighborhood.

[Emily Guise]

I've had the Pletscher double-legged kickstand on my 60cm Platy since day 1 and it's been great at keeping the bike stable; would definitely recommend it.

[Hugo Halder]

Hey all- reopening this thread. Any suggestions with regards to kickstand length/lean angle on a larger wheel base bike (like the Platypus or Atlantis)? I finally ditched the double kickstand, and popped on a Flex, which is adjustable. Letting the bike lean more (smaller angle when measured to the ground) feels more stable, but I am also concerned that I am stressing the kickstand plate. 

Is there a good rule of thumb here, or am I over-thinking it?

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