{"id":145550,"date":"2023-10-12T20:57:26","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T11:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/?post_type=global&p=145550"},"modified":"2025-08-11T12:36:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T03:36:41","slug":"platypus-custom-first-thing-after-my-us-trip","status":"publish","type":"global","link":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/global\/platypus-custom-first-thing-after-my-us-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Platypus custom: First thing I did after my US trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey it’s Sub, who came back from the US a month ago, growing even more desire for buying bikes and parts. Not much growth in skillset or as a person though.<\/p>\n

Anyway, I joined this year’s US business trip as a videographer, with Tani-san, Sent-kun, and Issue-san. And I got so much stuff I wanna share with you.<\/p>\n

I’m editing the huge piles of vids in ultrasonic speed so please look forward for that! On my upcoming blogs, I’ll be covering my personal interests that I couldn’t share as much as I could on youtube.<\/p>\n

This is the very first blog for that!<\/p>\n

When coming back from the US, I made a huge list of what I got to do. The first thing I did was customizing my Platypus.<\/p>\n

This is how it looks before going to the US.\u2193\u2193\u2193<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This is how it looks now<\/a>!\u2193\u2193\u2193<\/p>\n

\"RIVENDELL<\/a><\/p>\n

I’ll get straight to the point. The Platypus owned by Will from RIVENDELL was so cool, and I simply inherited his style. Well, I felt sorry for him if I did a carbon copy, so with a bit of tweaks too.<\/p>\n

This<\/a> is his Platypus that I got inspiration from by the way.<\/p>\n

\"Spaceage<\/a><\/p>\n

His bike do appear in front of me from time to time, either through RIVENDELL’s digital media or the surrounding community, so I wasn’t thinking it will be particularly new to me. However, having a look through my own eyes, something special struck me.<\/p>\n

The message I got from his bike is that RIVENDELL’s bike is not necessarily heavy and slow. (*It’s not what Will told me, it’s simply what I felt from his bike.)<\/p>\n

\"RIVENDELL<\/a><\/p>\n

When I was still just starting to get to know RIVENDELL, the impression I had for their bikes was “upright position, relaxing riding style.”<\/p>\n

That’s how I exactly rode my Platypus in Tokyo: Racks on both front and rear, with 139 basket attached, heavy and unhurried. And I thought that’s how it should be.<\/p>\n

Not Will’s. His Platypus got a lower handlebar positions than his saddle, making him low and forward leaning! Never knew that was even possible!<\/p>\n

The way he rode that bike so lightly was super cool. I admire that big time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As I expected, RIVENDELL was generous, kind, and welcoming. What I was surprised was the diverse presentation they showed us about the way to ride their bikes. They were also a lot more obsessed with tough tough rides than I expected.<\/p>\n

After returning back to Japan, although I knew the limitations of my physical elegance compared to Will’s tall height and long arms and legs, I so wanted to mimic his custom.<\/p>\n

Lowering the handlebars, and extending the saddle height by a few millimeters. Now a somewhat similar riding position to his!<\/p>\n

\"RIVENDELL<\/a><\/p>\n

Look how short the stem is haha.<\/p>\n

\"RIVENDELL<\/a><\/p>\n

And the riding taste? Now it’s a lot lighter! So much fun, it’s almost a completely different bike! Of course there was simply lost in weight from removing racks and changing tires, but the forward-leaning riding position makes it easier to put more power on the pedals.<\/p>\n

The new tire got low and hard nobs, which makes less friction and rolls more. Been drifting a lot these days because of it. I never knew this side of my long time buddy. I now love my Platypus even more.<\/p>\n

\"RIVENDELL<\/a><\/p>\n

That said, I bet this is not the main way of riding a Riv, so I won’t say out loud that it fits to every Riv bikes. Besides, I already miss the grip positions the albatross<\/a> and tosco<\/a> offered. And all of my camera gears lost their place to stay on the bike, my Platypus used to carry it all!<\/p>\n

I love both the relaxing and quick Platypus. For now I’ll enjoy this current style, reminiscing the days in the US.<\/p>\n

Thank you Will for showing me more ways to enjoy this bike!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Btw, when we were introduced to Riv staff’s bike, they happen to be bringing a lot of Platypus that day. Here’s Roman’s. His handlebar position is high up.<\/p>\n

\"RIVENDELL<\/a><\/p>\n

This is Grant-san’s. A lot lower than I expected. Maybe the Platypus has always been that kinda bike. Or is it just a coincidence?<\/p>\n

\"RIVENDELL<\/a><\/p>\n

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