Sizing Upon a Clem?

[james karlin]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to get into the Rivendell world with one of their complete Clems. I measured my pbh at 90, which puts me pretty squarely in the 59cm range. I wondering if any of y'all have enjoyed sizing up--according to the website, the 64cm would be doable for me. I'm just wondering if it'll be good, or if it'll be a gamble. 64cm just seems like a lot more bike than I'm used to! 

(I'm currently on a 58cm Nishiki International for everything. It's a great road bike, but I'm looking for something with more commuting, utility, and trail capability.)

Sorry if this has already been addressed somewhere else in the group.

[Johnny Alien]

I really think its a personal thing. Loads of people here will tell you they size up like Rivendell often recommends and love it. I have tried it before and it does not work for me. I personally cannot get a proper fit that way. There was always a compromise somewhere. If you are squarely in the middle then I would go with that. If you are at the top end then sizing up may be the best option.

[Nick Shoemaker]

I'm ~6'1 with a 91-92 PBH and ride a 64cm Clem - no regrets based on my usage as a Trail Bike/Kid-hauler (it's the best bike ever, in fact!). It's honestly the first bike I've ever had that really feels like it fits me:

The only thing you might want to consider is if the 64 will fit your bike rack, etc. It's too long for a lot of standard racks, but I recently upgraded to a 1UP hitch rack and it fits very securely without modification. Here's what it looks like barely squeezing onto a standard roof rack...

On Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 11:24:15 AM UTC-4 Jkarlin wrote:

[Richard Rose]

Worth considering in this circumstance is how high you want your bars & how much stem you are comfortable with exposing. I ride a 52 & need the bars high. My FacePlater stem  is nearly maxed out & I need the 135 extension to make it work. I could definitely ride the 59 & if I did I could use a shorter stem that would be inserted quite a bit more. In addition, that would put me on a 700c bike vs. a 27.5” one. I am very happy with what I have. Hope that helps.

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 27, 2023, at 2:12 PM, Nick Shoemaker <fiddl...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm ~6'1 with a 91-92 PBH and ride a 64cm Clem - no regrets based on my usage as a Trail Bike/Kid-hauler (it's the best bike ever, in fact!). It's honestly the first bike I've ever had that really feels like it fits me:

<ClemTrail.jpg>

The only thing you might want to consider is if the 64 will fit your bike rack, etc. It's too long for a lot of standard racks, but I recently upgraded to a 1UP hitch rack and it fits very securely without modification. Here's what it looks like barely squeezing onto a standard roof rack...

<roofrack.jpg>

On Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 11:24:15 AM UTC-4 Jkarlin wrote:

Hi everyone, I'm looking to get into the Rivendell world with one of their complete Clems. I measured my pbh at 90, which puts me pretty squarely in the 59cm range. I wondering if any of y'all have enjoyed sizing up--according to the website, the 64cm would be doable for me. I'm just wondering if it'll be good, or if it'll be a gamble. 64cm just seems like a lot more bike than I'm used to! 

(I'm currently on a 58cm Nishiki International for everything. It's a great road bike, but I'm looking for something with more commuting, utility, and trail capability.)

Sorry if this has already been addressed somewhere else in the group.

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<roofrack.jpg>

<ClemTrail.jpg>

[Ted W]

I have two, a Gus and an Appaloosa, and in both instances went with the recommended sizing. I think it comes down to preference as said before but also riding style. If you want to put drops on one of their bikes (not necessarily the Clem, but in general) and are accustomed to more traditional road fit then their recommendation or a size lower if you’re in the lower half of the recommended PBH has been recommended. If you want to run with swept back bars and a more upright position, go with their sizing  or up if you’re in the top half of the range.

It’s also worth calling Riv and talking it out with one of the people at the shop. They’ll ask you all sorts of questions and can help you make a more informed decision.

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[Ryan Frahm]

I don’t think there would be an issue at all. I had the Clem H in a 59 and have a 90.5 PBH. I had to use a 135 stem with the Tosco bars and was more upright than I’d prefer. I think it would be nicer without needing such a long stem. Bar choice will make a big difference though. 

[Jkarlin]

Thanks y'all! And sorry for the typo in the title. (This was my first post in this google group, so it took a little while to go through.) 

I really appreciate the personal anecdotes and advice. I did end up talking to some of the guys at Riv, and they recommended I go with the 59, since my pbh is pretty much right in the middle of of the range for that size and this is my first Rivendell. They said I might want to size up if I end up loving their bikes and want another frame, but that the 59 is going to feel plenty luxurious compared to the road bike I'm doing everything on now. 

I did spring for their "you pick the fun stuff" build option--thought it would be worth it to have the bike built up by their own mechanics and that it would be fun to see whhat they choose. So I'll end up with the lime/olive frame, bosco bars, friction shifting, the triple crank, and whatever else they put on there to build it out (I'll put on mks lambda pedals and a brooks c17 )! Shipping ETA is late next week, and I'm super stoked. 

Thanks again for all the help! I am curious to know more about the make and model of the rear rack in the picture from "fiddleharpa"...

[Ted W]

Those Lambda pedals are my absolute favorite for all around use, I think you’re going to love them, especially if you’re used to clipless pedals. I rode clipless exclusively for almost 20 years and got a set of lambdas for my first Riv and was absolutely blown away by how planted my foot felt. Zero slipping or foot movement, especially if you wear a shoe with a “waffle” pattern sole (Vans, Ride Concepts, etc.).

Your build sounds like it’s going to be a blast!

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[Nick Shoemaker]

Congrats on the new bike - you’re going to love it!

That’s a Soma Deco 2 rack that I bought because my old rack wasn’t wide enough for my child seat. I’ve had zero issues since installing it, and the price was right:

On Sep 27, 2023, at 5:08 PM, Jkarlin <jamk...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks y'all! And sorry for the typo in the title. (This was my first post in this google group, so it took a little while to go through.) 

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[Kim H.]

I am currently riding a 59cm lime olive Clem Smith Jr. "L".  My PBH is 80cm. I could easily ride a 52cm frame with 27.5" wheels. However, I do like very much the roll and feel of the 29" wheels underneath me. I am higher up in the saddle, as well.

I am still in awe over the fact the Clem is almost 80" long. I chose to modify one of my Yakima roof rails; combining two into one to fit my Clem's length on top of my small old Toyota car. I love the long wheelbase for stability and sure-footedness on the trails, whether it is gravel or dirt. It is a heavy bike, but that thought disappears quickly with the low gearing and the comfort of riding upright as a senior cyclist that bring me smiles and joy.

My Clem is my last bike and retirement bike.

Kim Hetzel.

[Kim H.]

Down by the Nisqually River.

[Richard Rose]

Hi Kim, man I really struggle to make sense of sizing based on PBH. First, if I take 10 measurements each will be different. That said, mine is more than your 80. And I ride a Clem L size 52! I have a fistful of seatpost showing and a saddle height of 72-73. I have used that saddle height measurement on every bike I have owned for nearly 50 years. It makes more sense to me than PBH. Clearly I could ride a 59 but my seatpost would be more “slammed”.

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On Sep 27, 2023, at 10:53 PM, Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Kim H.]

@ Hello Richard,

Here are some things to take in consideration. 

At the time my Clem was offered to me here on RBWOB group over a year, I really and fully didn't take in consideration all the facts about sizing. I scratched my head and decided to go with the the flow. The seller said that it would fit me. I mostly trusted his words. Upon receiving photos of the bike from the seller, I could tell by the way the stem and seat post was set up that the bike was too large for him. He never openly shared with me as to why he was selling it nor did I ask. I was rather eager to find a bicycle that I could fall in love with again after many years.

Without arguments nor questions, I bought the Clem. After I put it all together, I rode it. Yes, I was higher up on the bike more so than other bikes I have owned. Self admittedly, the bike felt very large for me and it took some practice in mounting and dismounting. Over time, I have gotten use to it , like riding a horse.

If you look closely at my seat post in my picture of my bike, I do not have a lot of seat post showing. It almost nill, of which is an obvious indication that the bike is too big for me.

Before my ownership of my Clem, I rode a bike that fit me extraordinarily well with 700c wheels for near forty years. 

So, if I had the opportunity to buy a 52cm frameset, I would most likely pass on doing so for the reason I have already expressed in my last post.

If you are absolutely comfortable with your 52cm Clem, don't change a thing. It's all about preference and what feels right.

If lived closer to one another, I would gladly offer you a ride on my Clem and I could ride your Clem.

Hope all this helps you.

Kim Hetzel.

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[Jkarlin]

Thanks for the rack info, Nick! Great to know it's good for a child seat. I'm hoping to set my Clem up with one relatively soon. 

Really interesting stuff about the bike fit, Kim. I'll let y'all know how the 59 feels once it arrives. 

And Ted, these are the first pair of flat pedals I'll be riding on since middle school. After that, it was all toe clips and straps on old road and track bikes. I did have some bmx pedals plus something called "feet belts" for a while--they were scraps of recycled seatbelts that sat diagonally across the pedals so that you just turned your foot straight to get tension. I'm excited for the lambda pedals!