Looking for a 59cm Clem

[Tristen Moss]

Howdy Bunch! 

I’ve been dreaming about owning a Rivendell for a long time now and I’m finally in a position to make happen! My PBH is 91 I’ve been going back and forth between a 59 and a 64 Clem. I live in Sacramento and spend a decent amount of time riding off road in Northern California. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

-Tristen 

[Tom]

Tristen, good luck with your Clem search.  I am 6' tall with a 90 pbh.  I've had two 59 Clem H models at different times, ridden on roads, paths, and some single track.  For more off-roadish riding, I'd suggest:

• Get a 59.  The Clem is a looong, big bike, and the 59 will be plenty big enough for your 91 pbh.
• Consider an index shifter for the rear if you're off roading will include a good amt of single track.  Friction shifting bikes around tight quick uphill/downhill turns is just too clumsy.  Others here have said the same.  Yes you can make friction shifting work, it's not ideal.  Really depends on the flow of your single track.
• A Jones bar works so well on an off road Clem, as does a bullmoose.  Of course they work well on roads too, and you'll have a lot of bar real estate to hang/mount things when not bombing around.
• I liked 2.3 Mezcals for rooty, sometimes slippery single track.  Although I was surprised at how well Nano's did on that surface.  I loved G-One Speeds (2") on a clem too, but more for hard packed paths topped with a dusting of sand, twigs, etc., and roads.

Tom

[Chris Halasz]

Tristen

I'm 6'1", with a long reach and 89cm PBH, and love my 64cm Clem. 

I do 95% quiet roads, and so run skinnier tires. Raced mountain bikes for years back in the 80s and 90s. 

Here's a photo of the Clem, with 79cm saddle height (I assume yours would be an inch or so higher), Toscos about 3" higher, on a quick evening ride into the local woods: 

- Chris 

[Tristen Moss]

Thank you so much for the info, Tom! I emailed Rivendell asking when the next shipment of Clem L’s will be in stock and they said around early 2025. I almost impulse bought a 64 but talked myself out of it. I’m sure I’ll be much happier riding off road on a 59cm. 

On Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 4:58:25 AM UTC-7 Tom wrote:

[Tristen Moss]

Your Clem looks great, Chris! I’m not too far from Rivendell so I think I’m going to go test ride both sizes. I’d say the short drive is worth it for a dream bike. 

[Gordon Stam]

Hey Tristen - I'm almost 6'2" (almost) with a PBH of 91 cm and I have a 59cm Clem. I got it based on Rivendell's size recomendation and it happened to be in stock at my LBS last March. I initially built it up with a Nitto Tallux (?) stem with the 225 mm stem length and the 70 degee bend (quill parallel to the ground) and was initially disapointed that I couldn't get the bars as high as I wanted. At most they were just high enough. But this was with albatross bars and not some higher rise bars. I got some higher rise bars and that helped but what really did the trick was switching to the Nitto Faceplate stem with the 90 degree bend, with the same 225 stem length and a 110 mm extension. This gave me another couple inches of height which when combined with some higher rise bars is more than enough to get the bars to a comfortable height. There's still alot of stem showing but this has been handy since I mounted the shifters there. Another thing I like about the 59 is it has sufficient seat tube showing to attach seat bags to, etc. Not that you couldn't with a 64 cm though. 

So, in sum, you'll be fine with the 59.

[Gordon Stam]

Pic of my 59:

[Tom]

Very welcome.  Have you considered a used H model in a 59?  This album has pics of my former grilver-colored 59 H model with Jones bar before adding the ESI grips.  2.3 Mezcals.  Saddle height is 79 here, and I liked the handling with saddle level with bars...

Tom

[Gordon Stam]

Another 59er Clem portrait:

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[Kim H.]

@Tristen,

Upon your visit to Rivendell headquarters, if they have 59cm Clem "demo" that you can ride, you might want to ask if it is for sale. I bought my Clem last November as a "demo". Needless to say, I was very elated to purchased it, because it was in the color I really wanted, RBW blue. I got a discount on the bike, as well.

Kim Hetzel.

[Tristen Moss]

At this point I’m pretty dead set on a 59 Clem L. At first I wasn’t sure about the step through frame but after everything I’ve researched it seems like people absolutely love theirs. I’m really hoping to come across a used frame or even a complete before Rivendell receives theirs early next year. 

I’m so happy to have joined this group. Everyone that has reached out has been incredibly helpful! Can’t wait to finally have one so I can post some photos. 

[Patrick Moore]

What is the difference between the Clem L and the Clem H? Are there any other Clem models besides the L and H? If so, pray, what? And how are they different from the L and H?

Last question: Are any of these models likely to be cheaper on the used market than others?

Thanks.

On Tue, Sep 3, 2024 at 10:25 AM Tristen Moss <triste...@gmail.com> wrote:

At this point I’m pretty dead set on a 59 Clem L. 

 

[Garth]

Patrick, the first Clems were made in 2 styles, the normal top tube (H)is and the low tube (L)adies, originally called Clementine., an awesome name. The story I read alleges "someone" took offense to the frame name/designation, so apparently Grant gave in to the insanity and changed it. Well I'm so offended by anyone who had a thing against the name designations Clementine and Ladies. (tongue in cheek). No what ? (( laughing )).   Those frames are a bit shorter in the front end than the current model design that began in 2019 or so.  What you may pay for any of them has everything to do with whatever satisfies the seller. Could be nothing, $20, $2000. (( shrugs and a smile )). 

[Kim H.]

@Patrick,

Most all Rivendell bicycles hold their resale value. Pending on what componentry the seller has on his or her bicycle and the scarcity, the price range can vary any where from $1800.00 to $4000.00.

You can find a used Clem for around $1800.00 and up. I sold my 59cm for $1800.00 locally. For shipping you are looking at around $200.00 through BikeFlights.

"The head tube is 71.5 degrees on the old "H" model.  On the new "L" model is 69.5 degrees. Therefore it will be a bit better for off road. It also has quite a bit more fork rake" from Ryan Frahm.

What color of Clem are you specifically looking for ?

Kim Hetzel.

[Ryan Frahm]

Thanks for posting that Kim! I wrote a message earlier and posted but for some reason it was deleted. The fork rake per Will was 53mm on my old Clem H when I had to get a new fork and he had one from a Hunq at 55mm. The new Clem L has 67mm of rake. 

[Kim H.]

@Ryan,

You are more than welcome.

I thank you for posting further information about the differences in rake length between the two Clem models.

Kim Hetzel.

[P W]

That’s good to know that it’s the Clem H that I want!

Also in 59!

P. W.

~

(917) 514-2207

~

On Sep 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM, Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Tristen Moss]

Well, you guys, I just bought a 59 Susie. I think it’s going to be perfect for the type of riding that I do and I can’t wait to post a photo of the build! Thanks for all the inspiration! 

Tristen 

[John Rinker]

Way to go, Tristan! Congrats! I imagine you're going to have a blast. Looking forward to the first photos.

Cheers, John

[Ryan Frahm]

Good choice Tristan, enjoy it! 

[Patrick Moore]

Thanks, Garth. I hadn't followed the model's genesis.

Can any owner and rider say how the H compares in handling and overall "fit and feel" to the L?

Does anyone know where to find the geom specs for the H?

Thanks.

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[Patrick Moore]

Thanks, Kim; that is very doable and in fact the list for a built-up Clem on the Riv site is very attractive. 

Color is of least concern, especially as, for now, I am thinking of one to use as a beater; patchwork or primer with a few dents would be ideal. I'm much more interested in the ride feel (highly praised by all) and whether I can build it to sufficiently match my personal preferences. If the H has a shorter tt and a steeper head than the current model it might be more compatible with those; of course, then the question is, does it handle and "feel" like the L.

[Ryan Frahm]

Hi Patrick! bikeinsights.com has the geometry. I can’t link the geo chart directly but you can look it up there! I can’t say if it is 100% accurate but it seems to be. They also have the new L model so you can compare the two!

[Patrick Moore]

That's what I need; many thanks.

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[David B]

To chime in as a long time 59cm Clem (H) rider: I have the first run version which has a shorter top tube than the current L versions. The H might possibly have gotten a longer top tube at some point before it was discontinued. I've hemmed/hawed over the years about 'upgrading' to an Atlantis or Appa, and after digging in to geometry charts, it appears my Clem is nearly identical geometrically to the Appa in a similar size, so I'm sticking with what I have. This is all to say if anyone if looking at the used market for an H (not mine, not for sale), it'd be worth it to get an actual measurement of the top tube.

David (been a long while since I've participated on this list)

[Tom L.]

I have a 2017 Clem-H in 59 and the top tube is 25.5" center to center which is 1" longer than my 2022 Atlantis in 59. 

[David B]

My 2014 (?, is that the first year) Clem has a 64cm top tube, same as the 60cm Appaloosa I was considering.

[iamkeith]

FWIW,  I think we discussed and resolved the question of whether the Clem H geometry changed along with the Clem L before being dropped, a couple or few years back.  This isn't gospel, but the consensus was that it didn't.  Here's an archived geometry table from, from when both were available, and they were different.  The H didn't last much longer after this.

https://web.archive.org/web/20200413014654/https://www.rivbike.com/pages/geometry

Thoughts for Patrick, while I'm at it:  I have the first 59 Clem H.  Do I wish it had a longer top tube and slacker head tube?  You bet!  I wished this from the moment I got it.  Would I give up my H for an L?  Not unless I had to, at my size and weight. The diamond frame is noodley enough.  If I didn't have the H would I get an L?  Absolutely.  I never want to be without this bike again.  (I gave it away when I was waiting on a Susie, but got it back.)  In other words, I don't think you'll regret it or go wrong, no matter which one you find. 

Also, to satisfy your single-speed/IGH penchant, maybe look into the EBB that Velo Orange offers?  The Clem unfortunately has a 68mm bb shell, but there are still options to make an x-type crank work.  An idea for your hip pocket if you ever feel it's needed.

https://velo-orange.com/products/eccentric-bottom-bracket-bsa?srsltid=AfmBOorYXqngBK0Qlnq_HdKzQiRn3J59wqUXQQBFiOFcHlwZ38F3HO9Z

[Chris Halasz]

Subjective data point: At twelve stone (168lbs) I have yet to experience the often stated flex on a (64cm) Clem, even with a couple rear panniers of produce, or while accelerating along an extended climb (without panniers, mind you) while passing the majority of our weekly cycling group (I like be the broom wagon, in case of mechanicals, on the flats).  

[Richard Rose]

Chris, same! Or at least similar. Mine is a 52 & I fluctuate between 170-175lbs. I CAN make the bike flex (grab the bars and shake from side to side) but it simply does not happen under normal riding. Any flex I do get is likely part & parcel of the comfortable ride? I had a PX10 once. That was the only bike I’ve ever owned that I would describe as “noodley”. YRMV.

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 6, 2024, at 4:10 PM, Chris Halasz <cha...@gmail.com> wrote:

Subjective data point: At twelve stone (168lbs) I have yet to experience the often stated flex on a (64cm) Clem, even with a couple rear panniers of produce, or while accelerating along an extended climb (without panniers, mind you) while passing the majority of our weekly cycling group (I like be the broom wagon, in case of mechanicals, on the flats).  

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[John Johnson]

Hey Patrick,

I ride much smaller sized bikes than you, but I had a 45cm Clem H and currently have a 45cm Clem L. Both the pre-2019 26" wheel size. I actually sold the Clem H to a friend after riding my wife's Clem L and realizing I liked her Clem L better. The top tube on the 45cm Clem L is 5cm longer than the 45cm Clem H. That meant that I couldn't run swept back bars on the Clem H without feeling cramped (bullmoose bars felt great, but when I swapped out the bullmoose for a pair of toscos, it was cramped even with an 11cm stem). The chainstays are also slightly shorter on the Clem H (actually, the H was better with racks for this reason - you get less flex in the rear when heavily loaded). And the head tube and seat tube are a bit steeper on the Clem H. 

I thought the Clem H rode a lot like a bike with 90s NORBA geo. I already have a 91 and 94 MB-1, and the main difference is a slightly lower bottom bracket on the Clem H. So the Clem H was to me, just a modernized version of those (which Grant more or less discussed when the Clem was being developed). Bigger tire clearance, lower bottom bracket, more rack mounts and braze-ons, but still the same standards so you can use stuff from your parts bin. 

That doesn't mean the Clem H is a bad choice at all though. It's a great bike, but I wanted a step-through bike and to run swept back bars. As a grocery-getter/beater, I don't think you'd find a better choice than a Clem (H or L - depending on your preferences).

cheers,

John (outside Fontainebleau)

[Ryan Frahm]

A question for any Clem L 59 owners! Would you be willing to measure the frame and fork length and height please? I have a frameset waiting to be shipped to me but my mother in law hasn’t found a box and I wanted to call around her area but she hasn’t measured the frame for me. Any help would be very appreciated! 

I’d like to get it into the smallest box possible because the shipping rate goes up a ton at a certain point. Definitely willing to have the fork taken off. Thanks again!

[Ryan Frahm]

No need for measurements any longer. Thanks all. Hopefully my Clem frame will be on the way soon!