Clem Smith Jr Update

[Doug H.]

I now have several hundred miles on my Clem Smith Jr so wanted to share some thoughts. I feel like I'm cruising around when I ride so I call it my Clem Cruiser, or CeeCee for short. I've never named a bike but CeeCee may work. Is it fast or slow? Those aren't the right questions to ponder. Am I faster or slower on the Clem as compared to other bikes I've ridden? It doesn't feel like it and I don't care! I'm amazed at how it tracks up hills with ease. I sit upright and enjoy the scenery which gives me a greater degree of feeling safe as well.  I'm really happy with how the Clem rides on asphalt, dirt or gravel.

I recently had Rich build a dynamo wheel for me as I had never used dynamo but wanted to give it a shot. I'm hooked. I don't feel any drag from the hub and not having to worry about recharging lights frees my mind for other thoughts. The wheel is a Velocity Cliffhanger 32 spokes with a Kasai hub. My rear wheel is still the stock Alex 36 spoke with an unbranded hub. The mismatched wheels are kinda cool and Clem-like I think. 

My pedals are One Up aluminum platform pedals that are large and grippy. They are perfect for the Clem and my big ole feet. I rode today wearing my Merrell sandals and the pedals gave plenty of support and grip. Speaking of grip, I really like the Ergon Biokork grips.  

I wrapped Newbaum cloth tape on my chainstay  as a protector even though it already had a clear one...I like the looks of it. I've put two stickers on it and ordered a couple from Path Less Pedaled to sticker it up a little more. This is a fun bike to ride and tinker with for sure.

I'm digging friction shifting but I have gotten slippage from the Silver2 shifter. The bolt comes loose and my gears slip at times. I guess I need to find just the right tension but it is a little frustrating. Should I use thread-locker? Anyone else had this issue?

All in all the Clem is a well-designed bicycle that rides so nice on any surface. Just Ride.

Here is a link to some photos if you are interested Clem Cruiser

Doug

Athens, GA

[Johnny Alien]

Nice Doug! I am not sure if I have seen photos of the second Clem! I am going to give those grips a chance I think. I have used other Ergon grips and liked them.

[J J]

Hi Doug, thanks for the nice write up. CeeCee looks great!

About the Silver2 shifters: I’ve had the same problem of gears slipping. I find that I have to tighten the D ring screw so much to prevent slipping that it makes it hard to move the shift levers. I haven’t thought of using thread lock. I’ve just kind of accepted the slipping as reality for these shifters. It seems like I constantly have to fiddle with them. 

I’d love to hear suggestions from anyone else who might be reading this. I prefer friction shifting. But the slipping with these brand new Silver2s has me considering index shifting for the first time. Grant says these are the best shifters in the world. If these are the best….surely they should not slip?? 

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 4:14:29 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:

[Richard Rose]

Man, I grew up with friction shifters & have been yearning for the Silver shifters to replace my Microshift units that came on the bike. But these things work flawlessly & I’d forgotten about “slippage”. I think I shall resist the nostalgic trip down memory lane and save $170.00!

Sent from my iPhone

On May 30, 2022, at 8:50 PM, J J <junes...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Doug H.]

I was just looking at shifters on the Rivendell website and found this blurb in the description of the wing bolts that can replace the d-ring bolt that comes with the Silver2 shifter... "Put some loc-tite on them and you'll likely never have to mess with them. If your shifter loses a little tension, turn it at the next stop or even while you're riding, if you're careful."  So, I think I will try a little loc-tite on the bolt to see if that helps with slippage.

Doug 

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Doug, you're likely already aware that there's different levels of loc-tite, but just make sure you use the less permanent option on those shifters of yours.

Happy shifting!

-Kai

[Patrick Moore]

I used several pairs of the first-gen Silver bar end shifters extensively and always ended up putting blue Loctite on the mounting bolts to prevent loosening. I daresay beeswax would work too.

Silvers are hardly the only shifters that require this treatment, IME.

Patrick Moore, currently using Suntour Barcons ... with blue Loctite, in ABQ, NM

[Mackenzy Albright]

I installed a suntour barcon on my clem build with an ALTUS rear dr. Not sure if it's a stronger modern spring but find it's slipping more than normal. I previously had it paired with an older generation XTR reverse rapid rise which worked fine. But I think the reverse rapid rise has less return tension. 

[Doug Hansford]

This is good info. I don’t mind needing to use loc-tite because the shifter is smooth and looks good. But, maybe Riv should make this a recommendation or pre install it on the bolt. I’ll try it and report back. 

Doug

Sent from my iPhone

On May 31, 2022, at 11:24 AM, Mackenzy Albright <mackenzy...@gmail.com> wrote:

I installed a suntour barcon on my clem build with an ALTUS rear dr. Not sure if it's a stronger modern spring but find it's slipping more than normal. I previously had it paired with an older generation XTR reverse rapid rise which worked fine. But I think the reverse rapid rise has less return tension. 

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[J J]

Thanks for the recommendations, all. Which loc tite variety do you suggest for the shifters?

@Mackenzy, I’ve experienced the same slippage with a NOS Rapid Rise RD and a modern, new high normal RD. In both cases it was with the same new shifter cables, liners, and housing, and new chainrings, cassette, and chain. I’m looking forward to trying loc tite. 

[Wesley]

Use blue Loctite.

[Patrick Moore]

Blue.

On Tue, May 31, 2022 at 10:30 AM J J <junes...@gmail.com> wrote:

... Which loc tite [Loctite] variety do you suggest for the shifters?

[Peter Adler]

Don't know where Patrick got that image from, but to clarify for safety's sake: Loctite's current model number for the removable blue thread locker is 242. Don't use Loctite red or purple, unless you want the screw to stay in place forever.

As I have purchased several small tubes of blue Loctite recently, since I keep misplacing the stupid things:

Peter "measure twice, threadlock once" Adler

Berkeley, CA/USA

[Doug H.]

Hello all,

I pulled the shifter bolt and applied blue Loctite thread-locker, reinstalled, and let it dry for a day. I've ridden three times since then and haven't experienced any slippage. With this fix the Silver2 shifter is great! Friction shifting is working well for me. 

Doug

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 4:14:29 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:

[J J]

Thanks, Doug. Great to hear! 

Forgive me for asking what might be obvious: where exactly did you apply the Loctite? And how did you gauge the degree of tightness when you screwed the shifter back together? 

Thanks again. 

[Doug H.]

I put a generous amount on the threads of the shifter bolt (I fully removed the bolt), the one with the d-ring head. I put the bike in my stand and adjusted the shifter to the desired tightness and let it sit for a day to dry. I think the tightness is a personal preference once there is enough tension to hold the cable in place. Tighter make the shifter harder to move so for me just tight enough to hold the cable is enough. I do wonder if the Loctite will be rendered useless if I re-adjust the tension. Anyone have experience to share?

Doug

[J J]

Quick follow up: Thanks Doug for your detailed help. I used the Loctite last weekend per your directions, have ridden about 150 miles since then, and it has been remarkably stable. No slipping at all so far. Will be interesting to see how durable it will be, but for now it’s great. 

Thanks again!

[Doug H.]

I'm glad it worked for you! Mine is still holding. I did a 10 mile mile ride today with lots of hills and shifting and no slippage. The Silver2 shifter is nice is operation and in looks. Friction shifting is now my go to after years of indexing and saying I had no interest in friction shifting. Being open minded is a good thing!

Doug