In current days one particular person has emailed me questioning how a Jones compares to a Platypus, after which in yesterday’s feedback like two individuals additionally questioned roughly the identical factor. That makes three complete individuals, so I figured I’d as properly deal with it. Granted, three isn’t very many individuals, however it’s in all probability a great 75% of my readership; plus, I’ve by no means written something based mostly on whether or not significant numbers of individuals may really discover it fascinating or helpful, and I’m actually not about to start out now.
Earlier than evaluating the bikes, let’s examine the businesses themselves. Whereas Jones and Rivendell are fairly completely different when it comes to the bikes they provide, I’ve at all times felt they have been comparable in that they’re run by individuals who do bikes they approach they wish to do them, with none regard for what’s in style or trendy–and, as is usually the case with individuals like that, a lot of what they’ve carried out has subsequently turn into trendy, and I’d say that as small corporations each Jones and Rivendell have had an outsized affect on biking “tradition,” for those who’ll pardon the time period.
One other approach through which Jones and Rivendell are comparable is that they’ve devoted followings, however in any on-line dialogue of both firm you’ll additionally discover individuals saying they’re “overpriced.” With Jones it’s normally one thing like, “$[X] and it solely comes with an NX derailleur? The Gnar-Gnar Rad-O-Gnar prices the identical and it comes with a GX derailleur!,” or else “Why not simply get a Surly?” In the meantime, with Rivendell it’s usually both, “Why not simply get an previous Miyata mixte for $150?,” or else, “$[X] for a motorcycle made in Taiwan?!?,” or, once more, “Why not simply get a Surly?” It doesn’t matter what the bike, if it’s fabricated from metal and it’s not a Surly, somebody will inform you that you might have simply gotten a Surly.
In fact the great thing about capitalism is that “overpriced” is within the eye of the beholder, and for those who assume a Jones or a Rivendell or an S-Works or no matter else is overpriced you then don’t purchase it. Within the case of Jones, these are singular bicycles designed by somebody who has devoted himself to the idea of a high-performance non-suspended all-terrain bicycle for a few years, and regardless of being a small household operation he’s gotten to the purpose the place he’s in a position to provide full bikes for what in at this time’s bicycle market is a reasonably low worth, which is fairly exceptional–and I don’t assume every other firm is placing critical thought, effort, and sources into to producing supremely succesful off-road bikes that don’t use suspension programs. Within the case of Rivendell, it’s possible you’ll or not desire a rim brake bike with a threaded fork, a protracted wheelbase, lugged development, and exquisite show-quality paint, however for those who do there’s no approach to get such a motorcycle with out seeking to the used market or going customized. (Perhaps one or two Crust fashions qualify, however that’s about it.) Moreover, there isn’t a different bike firm that is still dedicated to what I’ll lazily name “conventional” or “traditional” requirements (quill stems, rim brakes, quick-release axles, and so forth.) than Rivendell, and if that does matter to you you then perceive why that’s essential. This goes approach past frames with fairly paint, and all the way in which to spending the cash to design and produce elements the large corporations now not care about–together with a derailleur.
As for simply shopping for classic as a substitute, that may actually be enjoyable, however in order for you an entire bike and also you’re not on the lookout for a venture it’s not at all times a sensible or cheap alternative. Take into account the ‘Noner. The bike was given to me, however I nonetheless had to purchase new elements for it, and on prime of that I’d estimate conservatively that I spent a great 15 hours getting it again into first rate form–and whereas my time isn’t price a lot, yours is probably going much more helpful. And that’s simply doing the naked minimal: the underside bracket’s nonetheless tough, the rear hub nonetheless kinda appears like a rock tumbler, the chainrings are worn, and I didn’t even change the previous tires. Once more, I’m a semi-professional bike blogger, so I’m joyful for a venture and I’m joyful to share it with my seven our eight devoted readers. However for a traditional particular person a brand new bike might be a discount compared, particularly for those who’re wanting one thing particular.
Okay, so now let’s have a look at the bikes. You’ve bought your Jones (LWB Full in my case, although an older iteration):
And also you’ve bought your Rivendell Platypus (mine began as only a body, however now they’re additionally out there as full bikes):
At this level I ought to in all probability level out that for those who’re going to check Jones and Rivendell a way more acceptable Rivendell mannequin could be the Susie W. Longbolts / Wolbis Slugstone, as that’s their most trail-oriented bike, with clearance for two.6-inch tires:
[Photo: Rivendell]
In the meantime, Rivendell describes the Platypus thusly:
I’ve bought 2.1-inch 29er mountain bike tires on there, largely as a result of I used to be utilizing what I had available, and that’s about essentially the most tire the Platypus will deal with. It’s fairly joyful on trails just like the one you see above, however it’s not the bike you’d select for terrain a lot rougher than that. In the meantime, the Jones, with it’s 3″ tires (and it’ll even take a full-on fats bike tire within the entrance) will take you anyplace and over something. So for all their numerous variations, that’s the elemental one: for all sensible functions, the Jones is limitless when it comes to what sort of terrain you possibly can trip it on, and if that’s your precedence you merely must go along with the Jones.
In fact, there’s extra to bikes than “What measurement tires do it match?” Simply because a motorcycle can match mountain bike tires, that doesn’t make it a mountain bike, as is the case with the Platypus. And simply because a motorcycle can match big-ass plus-size mountain bike tires, it could nonetheless be good on the highway, as is the case with the Jones. I strategy body geometry like grammar, which is to say I don’t give it some thought, I don’t know what all of the technical phrases imply, and I don’t actually care. Whether or not it’s a motorcycle or a sentence, all I do know is what works and what doesn’t, and I am going solely by really feel. What permits the Jones to go approach farther offroad than the Platypus isn’t simply the tires; it’s additionally that even within the lengthy wheelbase model it’s straightforward to control the bike and decide the entrance and rear wheels up off the bottom in the way in which it’s a must to do when using over rocks and roots and logs and difficult sections of path. On the similar time, it’s very secure (it’s nearly unimaginable to think about going over the bars by chance on the Jones), it stays planted whereas climbing, and total the traction you get from the large tires is ridiculous. As for using it on the highway, it feels fairly completely different from any highway bike you’ve ridden, even one with upright bars–although, no less than for those who’re me, you cease noticing that after a couple of minutes. It’s not an alternative to a highway racing bike–if that’s what you’re after you’re not going to get it from a Jones–however it’s nice on the highway simply so long as you don’t need or anticipate something like a standard highway bike expertise.
In the meantime, regardless of accepting what till comparatively lately have been thought of full-on mountain bike tires (now 2.1″ 29er tires are extra like gravel tires), the Platypus isn’t a mountain bike, nor does it wish to be. Sure, I’ve taken it onto mountain bike trails right here and there, however in contrast to the Jones the wheels of the Platypus wish to keep planted on the bottom–like, for all its stability, once you hop on the Jones you’re nonetheless tempted to trip off curbs or pop wheelies. This isn’t the case with the Platypus. The lengthy chainstays actually have loads to do with that, however I believe it’s additionally in all probability simply one thing inherently “highway”-ish in its design–a highway racing bike has very brief stays and concomitant brief wheelbase, however other than bunnyhopping potholes you’re not inclined to wheelie or bounce these both. (Or no less than I’m not.) The Platypus is a step-through, it’s lengthy, and it’s designed with upright swept-back bars in thoughts, however for those who’re used to using highway bikes the Platypus doesn’t shock you for these first few pedal strokes on the highway the way in which the Jones does.
So if you already know you need full and uncompromising mountain bike functionality no less than a number of the time, otherwise you wish to know you possibly can go on a very lengthy bikepacking expedition in the future, it is best to completely select the Jones. However what for those who’re not involved in that? What if you already know for certain you’ll by no means want to make use of your bike as a mountain bike or for a multi-day journey bike? What if you already know you simply desire a sensible all-rounder that’ll carry stuff and take you into the woods a bit? Apart from feeling a bit extra acquainted, what’s the benefit of the Platypus, if any?
Effectively, this relies solely on you, however for those who wish to tinker and you’ve got plenty of elements, one benefit is that the Platypus is extra customizable. The Jones is ideal with a contemporary wide-range drivetrain, and naturally the Jones bars. There’s not loads to consider with a Jones, as a result of it simply works so properly as designed. I imply sure, technically there’s nothing stopping you from utilizing completely different bars, as I’ve carried out for the sake of experimenting:
However in the end there’s actually no level:
Sure, the Jones is designed for using in an upright place, so it nonetheless works, however you even have to make use of a super-long stem to maintain your knees away from the bars, and total giving up the Jones bars means additionally giving up a few of that off-road maneuverability, which doesn’t actually make any sense. As for the remainder of the bike, with thru-axles and Increase spacing and disc brakes and all that different stuff, you’re locked into trendy mountain bike-oriented stuff–not that there’s something mistaken with that as a result of that stuff is nice for utilizing the Jones to its full potential, however for those who’re not utilizing the Jones to its full potential it does restrict how “funky” you will get with it.
In the meantime, between the varied bars Rivendell gives, and that straightforward compatibility with “conventional” tools I discussed earlier, there are many other ways to strategy a Platypus (the bike that’s; you in all probability shouldn’t strategy an actual platypus, they appear harmful):
Desire a single ring with a clutch derailleur and a set off shifter? Advantageous. Wish to use your previous deerhead Shimano XT stuff and a friction shifter mounted to your quill stem? Additionally nice. By way of being each snug and supremely succesful for every thing from highway using to mountain biking Jones bars are incredible, however no less than in my view if consolation is your precedence and also you don’t want to fret about your bars slipping whereas using over a log then completely nothing beats bars with full back-sweep, such because the Tosco. Each the Jones and the Platypus have mounting factors for all types of equipment and luggage, and little question you might simply equip the Jones for something from commuting to using throughout a continent. If truth a Jones with fenders is arguably the perfect all-season, all-weather, all-terrain, all-purpose bicycle:
However in order for you an upright bike with a basket for rambling, you’re a tinkerer who likes to reconfigure your bikes over time, and your mechanical preferences lean extra in direction of tubes and rim brakes than sealant and discs you then in all probability desire a Platypus.
Or simply get each. That approach you actually can’t go mistaken.
