Each of our models is our favorite, but the Platypus is the most favorite. It’s perfect for road riding, loaded or unloaded touring, commuting, day rides, fitness-fast rides, shopping, or therapy rides. It’s not a trail bike, but a reasonable rider with half-decent judgment and skill can ride it on fire trails. The recommended max tire is 50mm, and that's a true 50mm tire. James has some knobby Continentals on his that are labeled 2.2; they fit fine, but they actually measure around 52mm.
It’s common for “form follows function” to be an excuse to tolerate practical bicycles that are borderline ugly. The Platypus isn’t like that. You don’t have to find beauty in its usefulness and comfort, or put up with its dysfunction just because it’s pretty. It’s good all around, and it stands out wherever you go and however you use it.
The stock complete Platypus specs are hard to beat, because we picked what we know and like and didn’t chintz out. The money you save by buying the complete Platypus leaves you rich enough, relative to building a bike from the frame up, to swap out a part here and there to customize it to your quirky taste.
Months from now, you might want to get our not-yet-available Silver OM-1 rear derailer. Or you might want different gearing, a different tire, or a different handlebar…for example. But it’ll be at most a want, not a need. Ride it as it comes. Everything on it earned its spot.
Here's what's included:
- Heat treated Nitto Albatross bars - 55cm wide
- Nitto Tallux stems - 90mm for the 50 and 55cm frames and 100mm for the 60cm
- Silver bar end shifters - these allow more of a grip in front of the brake levers
- 36/26 Silver3 cranks. 170mm for 50cm, and 173mm for the two bigger sizes.
- Skeleton key front derailer
- Sunrace rear. Both derailers are supremely functional
- Novatech hubs - regular cartridge bearing hubs.
- Alex DM21 rims. We ordered them without any branding except for a small sticker at the seam. The wheels are built by St. Jump, the best wheelbuilders in Taiwan.
- Gravelking tires.
- 837AL Tektro V-brakes. Mark prefers these over some fancier models.
- RS360 levers.
- FSA Duron headset
- Shimano cartridge BB - 118mm length
- Kalloy posts
No pedals, and no saddle. Grips: I remember some correspondence about grips, but at this point I'm not totally sure. There's nothing listed on the bill of materials, so I'm thinking no grips either.
Important:
These preassembled complete bikes require a mechanic for the final assembly. If you're taking it to a bike shop, or you're confident you can do it yourself (the checklist is linked below), pick the "I'll arrange the final assembly" option on the dropdown menu above and we'll ship your bike pronto. If you want us to go over the bike and get it all ready to go, pick one of the other two options. Note though, that we'll ship the DIY bikes first, so if you need it quickly, go that route.
Here's the 2025 Platypus complete safe assembly checklist.
There's a video of last year's complete Platypus bikes in action here.
More photos of the Lime Olive on Kaela's bike, here.
More photos of the Periwinkle on James's bike, here.
Relevant specs:
- 135mm rear wheel spacing
- 27.2mm seatpost
- 28.6 FD clamp
- 68mm BSA BB shell
- V-brake mounts
- Geometry here
PBH Ranges:
| 50cm |
74 - 81 |
| 55cm |
81 - 87 |
| 60cm |
87 - 96 |
