*This is a presale - we expect Platypuses to arrive in November.
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 front 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 quill stems - 80mm for the 45 and 50cm frames, 90mm for 55cm, 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. 167mm for 45cm, 170mm for 50cm and 55cm, and 173mm for the 60cm sizes.
- 9 speed 11-36t cassette
- Skeleton key front derailer
- Silver OM-1 rear derailer
- RBW Silver hubs - regular cartridge bearing hubs.
- Alex Adventure2 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.
- Kenda Flintridge Pro.
- Shimano BRT400 V-brakes. Mark prefers these over some fancier models.
- RS360 levers.
- FSA Duron headset
- Shimano cartridge BB - 118mm length
- Ritchey Classic posts - 27.2
No pedals, no saddle, no grips.
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 2026 Platypus complete safe assembly checklist.
There's a video of last year's complete Platypus bikes in action here.
More photos of the Periwinkle on James's bike, here.
Relevant specs:
PBH Ranges:
- 45cm - 68-75cm
- 50cm - 74-81cm
- 55cm - 82-87cm
- 60cm - 87-96cm
