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 puzzled roughly the identical factor. That makes three entire individuals, so I figured I’d as properly tackle it. Granted, three will not be very many individuals, nevertheless it’s most likely 75% of my readership; plus, I’ve by no means written something primarily based on whether or not significant numbers of individuals would possibly really discover it attention-grabbing or helpful, and I’m definitely not about to start out now.
Earlier than evaluating the bikes, let’s examine the businesses themselves. Whereas Jones and Rivendell are fairly totally different by way of the bikes they provide, I’ve at all times felt they had been comparable in that they’re run by individuals who do bikes they manner they wish to do them, with none regard for what’s widespread or trendy–and, as is commonly the case with individuals like that, a lot of what they’ve performed has subsequently turn out to be 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 manner 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 often 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 In the meantime, with Rivendell it’s typically both, “Why not simply get an outdated Miyata mixte for $150?,” or else, “$[X] for a motorcycle made in Taiwan?!?,” or, once more, “Why not simply get a Surly?”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 made from metal and it’s not a Surly, somebody will inform you that you might have simply gotten a Surly.
After all 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 then you definitely 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 outstanding–and I don’t assume some other firm is placing critical thought, effort, and sources into to producing supremely succesful off-road bikes that don’t use suspension methods. Within the case of Rivendell, chances are you’ll or not need a rim brake bike with a threaded fork, an extended wheelbase, lugged building, and exquisite show-quality paint, however for those who do there’s no strategy to get such a motorcycle with out seeking to the used market or going customized. (Possibly one or two Crust fashions qualify, however that’s about it.) Moreover, there is no such thing as a different bike firm that continues to be dedicated to what I’ll lazily name “conventional” or “basic” requirements (quill stems, rim brakes, quick-release axles, and many others.) than Rivendell, and if that does matter to you then you definitely perceive why that’s vital. This goes manner past frames with fairly paint, and all the way in which to spending the cash to design and produce elements the large corporations not care about–together with a derailleur.
As for simply shopping for classic as an alternative, that may definitely be enjoyable, however if you would like an entire bike and also you’re not searching for a challenge it’s not at all times a sensible or affordable selection. Contemplate the ‘Noner. The bike was given to me, however I nonetheless had to purchase new components for it, and on prime of that I’d estimate conservatively that I spent 15 hours getting it again into first rate form–and whereas my time isn’t value a lot, yours is probably going way more helpful. And that’s simply doing the naked minimal: the underside bracket’s nonetheless tough, the rear hub nonetheless kinda seems like a rock tumbler, the chainrings are worn, and I didn’t even change the outdated tires. Once more, I’m a semi-professional bike blogger, so I’m completely satisfied for a challenge and I’m completely satisfied to share it with my seven or eight devoted readers. However for a traditional particular person a brand new bike might be a discount compared, particularly for those who’re trying one thing particular.
Okay, so now let’s have a look at the bikes. You’ve acquired your Jones (LWB Full in my case, although an older iteration):
And also you’ve acquired your Rivendell Platypus (mine began as only a body, however now they’re additionally obtainable as full bikes):
At this level I ought to most likely level out that for those who’re going to match Jones and Rivendell a way more acceptable Rivendell mannequin can 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 acquired 2.1-inch 29er mountain bike tires on there, principally 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 completely satisfied on trails just like the one you see above, nevertheless 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 wherever and over something. So for all their varied variations, that’s the elemental one: for all sensible functions, the Jones is limitless by way of what sort of terrain you’ll be able to journey it on, and if that’s your precedence you merely have to go along with the Jones.
After all, there’s extra to bikes than “What dimension 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 possibly 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 manner farther (or is that additional? As I say I don’t know from grammers…) offroad than the Platypus isn’t simply the tires; it’s additionally that even within the lengthy wheelbase model it’s simple to control the bike and choose the entrance and rear wheels up off the bottom in the way in which it’s important to do when using over rocks and roots and logs and difficult sections of path. On the identical time, it’s very steady (it’s virtually unattainable to think about going over the bars by chance on the Jones), it stays planted whereas climbing, and general the traction you get from the large tires is ridiculous. As for using it on the highway, it feels fairly totally different from any highway bike you’ve ridden, even one with upright bars–although, at the least 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–nevertheless it’s nice on the highway simply so long as you don’t need or count on something like a conventional highway bike expertise.
In the meantime, regardless of accepting what till comparatively lately had been thought-about full-on mountain bike tires (now 2.1″ 29er tires are extra like gravel tires), the Platypus will not be 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, whenever you hop on the Jones you’re nonetheless tempted to journey off curbs or pop wheelies. This isn’t the case with the Platypus. The lengthy chainstays definitely have rather a lot to do with that, however I feel it’s additionally most likely simply one thing inherently “highway”-ish in its design–a highway racing bike has very quick stays and concomitant quick wheelbase, however aside from bunnyhopping potholes you’re not inclined to wheelie or bounce these both. (Or at the least 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 need full and uncompromising mountain bike functionality at the least among the time, otherwise you wish to know you’ll be able to go on a very lengthy bikepacking expedition someday, you need to completely select the Jones. However what for those who’re not serious about that? What if for positive 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 simply need a sensible all-rounder that’ll carry stuff and take you into the woods a bit of? Moreover feeling a bit of extra acquainted, what’s the benefit of the Platypus, if any?
Properly, this relies solely on you, however for those who prefer to tinker and you’ve got numerous components, 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 rather a lot 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 totally different bars, as I’ve performed 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 general 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 fashionable 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 assorted bars Rivendell affords, and that simple compatibility with “conventional” tools I discussed earlier, there are many other ways to strategy a Platypus (the bike that’s; you most likely shouldn’t strategy an actual platypus, they appear harmful):
Need a single ring with a clutch derailleur and a set off shifter? High-quality. Need to use your outdated deerhead Shimano XT stuff and a friction shifter mounted to your quill stem? Additionally fantastic. When it comes to being each snug and supremely succesful for the whole lot from highway using to mountain biking Jones bars are implausible, however at the least 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 if you would like 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 the direction of tubes and rim brakes than sealant and discs then you definitely most likely need a Platypus.
Or simply get each. That manner you actually can’t go mistaken.