Clem Smith Jr. Low

[Brian Oldham]

I just ordered one of these in the presale so I will have a couple of months before the bike is ready to build out and deliver.  What are the essential parts I need to add to the basic "complete" bike??  I'm thinking of using a Brooks B67 that I already own.  Best pedals?  A rear rack for sure but which?  What is that bag that Grant always has on the back of his bikes?  I think that would be good for this.  I'm thinking about Albastache bars, crazy??  I really like the various creative handlebar treatments that the staff bikes show on all the various Rivendell's ..  How do I get that kind of think on this Clem?  I'm looking forward to having this bike and putting some heavy miles on it.

Brian Oldham

[EricP]

Can't help with much, but Grant appears to be using old Sackville medium bags on his bikes.

As for pedals, I like the MKS sneaker or maybe the inexpensive plastic VP pedals.

Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN

[Joe Bernard]

Albastache, probably not. It uses dropbar-type reach which is going to require a VERY short stem on that long front end..Clems are designed for reachback bars, specifically Boscos.

Pedals, I'm a huge fan of the big platform on Deity Black Kats. Analog Cycles sells them in just about any color you can imagine.

[J Imler]

I have no complaints with the inexpensive VP’s on my Clem L. I want to see a reverse Dirt Drop Albastache build. Get creative with the bar treatment, twine it tight and you’re good to go.

[Doug Hansford]

Here is a Clem L with Albatross bars for sale in Dallas. It might give you some ideas about how to set up yours. I would be interested in it but Orange isn't for me.

Doug

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/d/richardson-rivendell-clementine/7130894748.html

[Mark Roland]

Cautionary note: That is not a Clem L, that is one of the original orange Clementines, a somewhat different beast. I had an orange Clementine with Albatross, worked fine. But also, Albatross is not Albastache. So the newer geo Clem L/Albastache combo, as Joe points out, will be a bit of a reach.

Still, with a short reach stem, I would think totally doable. Whether it would change the handling feel in a negative way, you might have to experiment. Certainly would be rideable. I was tempted to try drops on my Clem L just for fun, might give it a try on my upcoming Susie (initial plan is going with the Choco-,moose I got from Joe. And really, I have plenty of drop bar bikes around.)

[Doug Hansford]

You are correct Mark. That is the first gen Clementine. Thanks for the info.

Doug

[Tim Rogers]

I have a Clem L 59. Mine has cork grips, a brass bell, a flashlight mount, a Sackville bar sack, a brown Brooks B67 saddle, an AXA frame lock, a Pletscher rack and pannier bars, the little air pump that mounts to the rack, and a tail light. I also have the Pletscher easy-fit basket that quick connects to their rack, but it isn't on the bike unless I need to carry something I can't strap down. It's a great bike ... you're gonna love it.

[Alex K]

I’m in the same boat. Waiting on my Clem L which I ordered presale, but not directly through RBW, but rather through The Psychic Derailleur in INDIANA. I’ll be mounting a Nitto Campee 34F front rack onto my 52 Clem, with a Wald 157 basket without any of the hardware (making it quite a bit lighter than the 157 with all the hardware.) I personally prefer front-loading my bikes, and I’ll be able to throw either my Sackville Large ShopSack or my Tunitas 139 basket bag in there (Tunitas bags, which I love, tend to fit better in baskets larger than the size which the bags are named after. 139 fits PERFECTLY in my Wald 157.) B67 sounds great, but definitely think black saddles look great with that Bronzey Green. Thinking about going with a black Cambium C17, myself. Highly recommend the MKS Allways or Lambda pedals. Allways pedals grip better in the rain, but can be sharp on the calves! Bosco bars are kinda perfect for the Clem, but you might take a look at the Nitto Billie bars or the Bosco Bullmoose (only problem with the Bullmoose is lack of adjustability, but damn it looks perdy!!) Just some thoughts. Looking forward to Clem pics....

[Mark Roland]

I don't know, brown's not too shabby, IMHO.

[Tim Rogers]

Here's a few pics of my accessories

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VsFS3uiTpzWdVs-r1FA0jA_SJtU9C_pI?usp=sharing