Platypus max tire with fenders?

[Tom Palmer]

Hi all,

After 1 ride on my new to me Platypus, I am thinking larger tires. I have 42mm tires now because they were in the bin and would work with the bin fenders too. How big a tire you running with fenders on your Platypus? Mine is a 60cm for reference. I have some Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tires, but think they would constantly be throwing noisy dirt/pebbles if they fit at all with fenders. I like a quiet riding experience.

any experience is greatly appreciated.

Tom Palmer

Twin Lake, MI

[DavidP]

Rivendell says "up to 48mm fendered" and I've seen a few Platypus builds with fendered Shikoro's. I have a 700x50 Gravel King on the back of my Platypus and it looks like there's room for a fender. Clearance actually looks tighter at the fork, both vertically to the crown and in width as the distance between the lugs at the crown is only 60mm.

My front tire is a Fleecer Ridge and I test fit a Planet Bike Cascadia 60mm fender, which is fairly flat and thin, and the vertical clearance between the top of the tire and the inside of the fender at the fork crown was only a few millimeters - it seems too close for a knobby. The same fender looks ok on the back at all the stay intersections.

So it seems like 48mm is a good general max, but you could probably squeeze 50s with the right fenders.

I have another bike with a fendered Juniper Ridge front (same tread as the Fleecer ridge but 650x48) and it's actually not too bad in the noise department.

-Dave

[Ryan Frahm]

Great information, thank you! I just unboxed my wife’s frame a couple hours ago.  Frame saver sprayed and drying now. I’m very excited to build it up for her! She hasn’t decided on fenders or tire size yet. I did a quick test fit of a Fleecer Ridge that I have on a Cliffhanger and it was tight up front. Didn’t pay a lot of attention to above the tire, maybe with something like a flat Honjo fender? She really wants the Ultradynamico grey tires but 42mm ish or 2.2” are the options. We’ll see how it comes together when parts start coming in!

[Mackenzy Albright]

I splurged and put Simworks Flat 65's on my Clem - They work really really well to give a lot of clearance especially if you use something that isn't a slick that might toss and occasional pebble. 

[Ryan Frahm]

Very Nice Mackenzy! I was actually thinking of those fenders for my Clem, and possibly the Platypus. The SW  Honjo fender is a bit more work to install but definitely worth it in my opinion. 

[Mackenzy Albright]

Admittedly, the flat 65's were probably one of the most pleasant to install ive dealt with. Granted I have all the tools and bits and bobs. But they just really "fit" no fuss. Hardware was great and intuitive. The Clem has ample clearance. Only downside is the kickstand mount needs a long spacer. Plus, I ended up putting electrical shrink tube where the fender stays contacted the fender because of a little bit of rattle, which others have also complained about. 

[DavidP]

Spring time is for fenders and this weekend I put VO Fluted 700c 63mm fenders on my Platypus. These are the widest fenders I'd recommend for straightforward install - they fit without modification with some notes.

When trying to maximize tire clearance the fender line and installation becomes very important - finding (or making) the right spacers for each attachment point takes a lot of time.

The rear fender as provided is crimped near the chainstay to provide clearance for the chain. I have a Gravel King SK 50mm on the rear and wanted more space between the tire and fender at this spot so flattened out the crimp a bit - not completely. I'd also note that I'm running a 7 speed cassette with several spacers behind it, so chain clearance at the fender is less of an issue than it might be with 9 speeds or higher.

The front wheel had a Fleecer Ridge 700x55 mounted. The limited vertical clearance between the tire and the top of the fork makes things very tight. The fender's fluted profile brings the widest part of the fender down below the fork lugs and because of that it barely avoids contact with the fork blades. I have the front fender attached at three points (stays, fork crown, and front rack) for stability due to the tight clearances.

My Gravel King SK 700x50 measures 50.8mm (2") on a Cliffhanger rim. My Fleecer Ridge 700x55 measures 52.8mm. There is a larger difference in diameter with the Fleecer Ridge measuring 10mm larger than the Gravel King.  

Does it work in use? - almost. Under hard standing efforts, when shifting weight over the front wheel and putting force through the bars, I can induce a slight tire buzz on the fender due to wheel flex. Under most conditions there's no rubbing. Still, even though I've had a few short and enjoyable rides without issue, I can't recommend this combination.

I've replaced the Fleecer Ridge with a Gravel King SK 50mm and there is now lots of clearance beneath the front fender.

So fitting 700x50s with the VO Fluted 63mm fenders is possible on the Platypus and that's what I'll be running. Still Riv's recommendation of 48mm max with fenders is probably a better general guideline.

-Dave