Note To Future Clem L Buyers

[Johnny Alien]

I was able to grab a 52 Clem L from Crust when they listed them on Wed and it was delivered today. I had zero idea that Crust was close to me! It came late so I only got it out of the box and roughly together.  A note to those looking to buy one of these later this year from Rivendell. They offer the option of pulling the bikes and going over them (making small adjustments and such) then reboxing before shipping to you. I have no idea if that cost money but if so pay whatever it costs. These do not come straight from Taiwan in ready to go shape. The brakes are not set up properly at all. Cables were crossed where they shouldn't be crossed. I had to remove loads of stuff and put them back on. If you are good to do it all on your own or if you are taking it right to a shop then you can skip it. Otherwise have them go over it.

A few initial thoughts:

• I wish they would have stayed with the big pulley Altus derailleur. The one they have on this is nice and all but just doesn't look as sweet.  I know that means using friction shifters vs index BUT
• This thing should come with friction shifters vs the trigger guy. It just should. I am going to throw on some of those clicky friction guys they used to use.
• These Tektro brake levers that are on the most current batch are huge and ugly. They have that plastic chrome look. I know that this is a bike that uses affordable stuff where it makes sense but there is a line for me. These have to go and ALSO
• I don't understand the backwards mounted brake levers. I understand with the thumbshifters but I don't get why the screws should go on the outside.  And once they are all wired up there is no easy switching them back.
• The toscos look right up my alley. I was going to throw some Billie bars on this but the tosco bars are going to stay for awhile. 
• I think they should stop including the 50 reflectors, kickstand, and cheap plastic bell and bring back the composite clem pedals they used to include

I am pumped to get it up and running. Until I get the friction shifters on I am going to move that trigger guy down next to the stem like Will suggests. I'm always up to try something new and it seems wise to get that thing further away from all the places I grip.

[Joe Bernard]

The reversed brake levers mirror the reversed thumbies so you don't end up with a shift lever jammed into the protruding end of a clamp. If you really do want to swap them it's easy to release the cables at the lever (brakes): unhook the v-brakes, then pull the now-slack cable out of the lever and swap 'em 👍

Joe Bernard

[Johnny Alien]

I am going to put different brake levers on (these are just ugly) so it won't be an issue. I actually have a bar with a reverse (inside mount) thumbshifter and the brakes are on normal and don't seem to interfere. But they do it more often than me so maybe its certain combos that are problematic.

[Ed Carolipio]

Grats on the Clem. I got a complete from that recent batch and most def agree that, unless you know what you're doing, give Riv the time and money to go over the bike.

On the parts mix, I figured that was dictated by what was in in the supply chain. I thought all the parts at least were acceptable and would happily ride the bike bone stock.

On the indexed rear RD, Will mentioned in the past they put indexing for folks who have smaller hands who have issues with friction shifting on a flat (or alt) bar. I figured that plus how friction has a bit of a learning curve drove that decision. I agree it definitely works best on the flat, middle portion of the Tosco rather than butted up against the brake lever.

--Ed C.