I (James) built this 55cm Platypus demo to show what these bikes can be capable of. The 55mm Schwalbe tire fits here with barely enough clearance. For muddier terrain, a 50mm would be more optimal.
I'll ride this one from road to light trail after work some day next week and update my thoughts about it. For now, it's such a fun bike to ride around the building on. It's remarkably light feeling even with fatter tires. As a recent Saturday test rider put it, 'this bike just wants to go!'
The Nitto Albatross bars with Silver2 bar end shifters work well for a nice upright ride that is equally good on harder efforts.
I have an 82PBH (5'8" with a shorter inseam) which would normally put me on a 50cm but the mixte frame style allows me to ride a bigger bike.
If you have a 82-87cm PBH come test ride this bike on a Saturday or during the week by appointment
Nitto Albatross Cro-Mo
Nitto Tallux 9cm
Shimano Claris Levers
Silver2 bar ends
Velocity Cliffhanger Wheelset
Schwalbe G-One 29”x2.2”
Silver 42/28 170mm crank
IRD Sub-C
Shimano Deore m592
Shimano Deore t610 V-Brakes
MKS Monarch Pedals