Thanks for the out of box view on this question. Since Soma is running Black Friday sale on their frames, I'm tempted. However, it really depends on her, not me. We are planning to go test ride Platy from HQ, but not sure where I can find a Soma BV bike that she can test ride.
I personally think Riv is aesthetically more pleasing than BV, but that double top tube looks interesting. Also, that tire clearance seems quite limiting (only 38mm) for the 42cm size. On Monday, November 20, 2023 at 7:14:22 PM UTC+1 Jobbing Drummer wrote: > I’d like to weigh in…. Garth’s advice is SAGE. I agree that trading the > Clem for a Platy would NOT solve the problem you hope to address. Riding > weight and schlepping weight are two different metrics. > > I owned and loved a Cheviot, but it was long and heavy and not something > I’d like to lug on/off a train with any regularity. > > ALSO - I just built a Soma Buena Vista for my sibling and did copious test > rides pre-delivery. It’s got a lot going for it. Lower price, generous tire > clearance despite the spec, healthy length on the chainstay contributed to > a very comfy ride, but it was still snappy and easy to move when > dismounted. Really a joy. Special frame… though it will require you to > choose every part, including headset and bottom bracket. Happy to share any > insights from my build, on or off thread + I’ve got some photos, and while > they’re not surgical, i built the thing from the ground up, so I can answer > most questions based on actual experience, barring the chance that the tire > clearance is any less depending on the smaller size frame you’re looking > for. (This was 650b build on a 58cm) > > Highly recommend the soma BV (rim brake, OBVIOUSLY) > > Best, > JD > > On Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 7:56:27 AM UTC-6 sarahlik...@gmail.com > wrote: > >> I had a different steel frame and all I can describe is that when I was >> riding I felt like I was dragging every pound of that bike along, where >> with the Platypus it feels like it is leaping forward. I just don't feel >> it. Even as I have added racks, bags, fenders and I keep asking when it >> will feel like a heavy bike. That has not happened yet. >> >> On Friday, November 10, 2023 at 10:46:30 AM UTC-8 Doug H. wrote: >> >>> Jake, >>> That is interesting that the bikes are about equal in weight but one >>> rides "zippier and lighter". I've heard this before in comparing the Clem >>> to the Platypus but I just don't know what qualities makes a bike feel >>> zippier if it isn't lighter weight. >>> Thanks, >>> Doug >>> >>> On Friday, November 10, 2023 at 12:25:06 PM UTC-5 jake...@gmail.com >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I agree with what Garth is saying about weight/size differences. >>>> Depending on the respective builds and how the sizing falls, it's possible >>>> that a Platypus could be every bit as long and heavy as a Clem. As people >>>> in the 81-84cm pbh range, I have a 55cm Platypus and my dad has a 52cm >>>> Clem, and the Clem is probably lighter in part due to the smaller wheel >>>> size. Both are great bikes, and I do find the Platypus rides zippier and >>>> lighter, but in terms of lifting, transport, and storage there is not much >>>> difference between the two. Hope this helps! >>>> >>>> Jake >>>> >>>> On Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 4:06:09 PM UTC-5 Garth wrote: >>>> >>>>> Chung, If your wife finds the Clem too long and heavy a Platypus is >>>>> not going to make a effective difference in regards to weight or >>>>> maneuvering. What would is a frame like a Soma Buena Vista (rim brake or >>>>> disc) or Velo Orange Polyvalent low kicker. Both have relatively typical >>>>> chainstays and wheelbases and are going to be easier to pick up and >>>>> maneuver simply due to the fact that they have "normal" wheelbases and >>>>> chainstays so are going to be inherently lighter to begin with. There's a >>>>> notable difference in geometry though, with the VO being more low trail >>>>> and >>>>> the Soma mid-high. Plus the Soma has quite steep seat tube angles so if >>>>> using a Brooks you may not be able to get the seat back where you want. >>>>> Thankfully they do both use a 27.2 post though. >>>>> >>>>> Note, the Platy isn't a step through either so all three compared to a >>>>> Clem are more like step around I suppose ! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=5b8578fd48f3a30004789cd9,5ee8f7ce7eaeb8001717ac2f >>>>> , >>>>> >>>>> On Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 2:53:48 PM UTC-5 Hoch in ut wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I don’t know about the Platypus, but my wife rides a Betty Foy. It >>>>> rides ligh/zippy and she loves it. Currently has a Wald 137 front basket >>>>> and a Riv trunk bag. >>>>> They’re a bit hard to come by but Cheviot was essentially the same >>>>> bike. >>>>> >>>>> Tires are 650b x 38 with fenders. Not sure I’d go larger. >>>>> >>>>> On Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 9:21:50 AM UTC-7 chungeu...wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Hi, >>>>> >>>>> I bought a complete Clem L for my wife and she enjoyed riding it so >>>>> far. >>>>> However, she felt that it's a bit too much bike for her since she only >>>>> rides it on the pavement for the commute. She finds it too heavy when >>>>> storing it in a rack and bring it on the the commuting train. >>>>> Since she still likes the step-through design, I wonder if swapping it >>>>> with the complete Platypus would solve her problem. Or, can we solve this >>>>> with lighter components (probably the wheelset and tires?) and some >>>>> cockpit >>>>> setup to make it more zippy? >>>>> >>>>> Best, >>>>> Chung >>>>> >>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. 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