My First Riv (clydesdale MTB rider)

[Kyle Patton]

Howdy,

I've been Riv-curious for a while now and after much debate I think I'm ready to bite the brass. After looking through rivbike.com and through google trying to learn more, I've only narrowed the search a little and am still unsure what Riv would suit me best, and so am hoping to find some better insight here.

About me:

6'

270lbs

87cm PBH

About my riding:

• 80% MTB–tight, twisty east coast singletrack through trees, but no downhill or sending jumps, love a long day on the trails, love a good climb, love to pick my line weaving around roots and rocks
• Road rides consist of trips to the store, trips around the neighborhoods, and occasionally a longer road ride or path ride. Spend a lot of time on sidewalks and hopping up and down curbs. Also love to find some bandit singletrack and go explore.
• Have several current bikes but my favorite bike to fulfill this purpose (ergo the one the Riv would replace) is a 2012 Surly Karate Monkey with the stock rigid fork. I'm running 29x2.2 xc race tires which is definitely my preferred setup as it gives me all the cush I want with some knobbies for MTB but a fast center for pavement. Also prefer 29 over other sizes. Running a 1x11 setup but ideal would be 2x9 or 2x10. Flat bars/alt bars exclusively, though I'd love to play with drops (have owned a cross bike before that was very fun to take on singletrack)

From what I understand of the current bikes, an Appaloosa, Clem, or Susie might work. I am worried about the length of the Clem and Susie in the tighter singletrack, I have some hardtails that aren't as long that become a handful in switchbacks. Also seems that an Atlantis, Hunqapillar, or Bombadil would work. Would love to find one used, and will need a near complete bike as I don't have many compatible parts in my parts bins.

If you made it here thanks for reading!

[Doug H.]

Hi Kyle,

I know there are riders here who ride their Clems on singletrack trails. I have ridden mine on fairly mild trails and it was just fine. The long wheelbase seems to smooth out rocks and roots a bit. I do ride mine mostly on the road however so others may want to offer their advice.

Doug

[Richard Rose]

Hello Kyle. I have a 52 Clem & use it for everything - everything that is except MTB. My reasons for getting the Clem were many & I love it. I have ridden it on mild singletrack & though it was fun it was far from ideal. Biggest drawback is the low bottom bracket. Forget about rocks & roots - just pedaling through turns can result in pedal strikes.

So, I got a Gus. It has all the benefits of the Clem & addresses all of the problems. It’s an absolute blast on really twisty/turny singletrack. Mine is a large so it’s a legit 29’er & is a genuine bulldozer. It is also noticeably stiffer up front due I presume to the 1-1/8” & threadless steerer. I don’t really care about “stiff” but it’s noticeably more precise.

I also really like the Gus on gravel. The Clem is nicer on pavement though my setups probably have a lot to do with the differences. Perhaps a Suzie is the perfect compromise?

I tell anyone who will listen - the Gus is a MOUNTAIN BIKE! I like it much better than the Jones it replaced - and I loved the Jones! 

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 4, 2025, at 3:24 PM, Doug H. <dhansf...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Kyle,

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[Richard Rose]

Also.., I am 5’10” & 170-175 pounds. I do not think anyone who loves their Clem would deny that it can get a bit flexy, including me. It’s part of what I like about it. Something to consider however & I highly suggest riding one prior to purchasing. If you can.

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 4, 2025, at 5:34 PM, Richard Rose <rmro...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Kyle. I have a 52 Clem & use it for everything - everything that is except MTB. My reasons for getting the Clem were many & I love it. I have ridden it on mild singletrack & though it was fun it was far from ideal. Biggest drawback is the low bottom bracket. Forget about rocks & roots - just pedaling through turns can result in pedal strikes.

[Richard Rose]

Kyle, buy this!

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 4, 2025, at 3:24 PM, Doug H. <dhansf...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Kyle,

--

[Nick Shoemaker]

Hi Kyle!

I agree wholeheartedly with Richard: your criteria just screams GUS to me, and that's coming from a mud-slinging east-coast Clem rider. My Clem has become my full-time MTB, and I have also experienced everything Richard mentioned (pedal strikes are an every-ride occurrence for as long as I put off changing out my 175mm cranks, and I do feel some flex when loaded). That said, they are not deal-breakers and are honestly part of what I love about riding my Clem on trails - it's a back to basics style that makes 'easy' trails that much more fun and challenging. The (sumptuous) wheelbase has been less of an issue than I anticipated, but we don't have a ton of super-tight switchbacks here; I pretty much make the same ones that I used to make, and step off on the ones I used to step off on....

But.......if I were buying a Riv for 80% MTB and weighed more than my current 160lbs, I'm pretty sure I would be looking for a 59cm Gus. The good news is that you'll probably have fun either way - keep us posted on what you decide!

Nick

Knoxville

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 7:40:49 PM UTC-5 Richard Rose wrote:

[Nick Shoemaker]

I also took a look at the geometry differences between all of the Big Hillibikes and figured I would post them here in case it's helpful for anyone else; basically, there's not nearly as much difference between a big Clem and a big Gus as I would have imagined:

For those who understand such things....does the 10mm difference in BB Drop equate to a 10mm difference in Pedal Clearance assuming the same tire is used? If so, how meaningful is an extra half inch really going to be? And would using a 10mm shorter/longer crank yield the same result?

[Eric Daume]

Hi Nick, thanks for organizing this table, it’s interesting. 

Both of your statements are correct: the 10mm difference in drop means the fillet Susie or Gus will sit 10mm higher if the tire is the same. And 10mm shorter cranks can make up for this (though a 70mm drop is still a pretty low BB by mountain biking standards)

On my modern hardtail, I went from 170mm to 165mm cranks for better pedal clearance. It makes a difference. 

Interesting also is how different the stack and reach are from the 59 Clem to the Hill bikes. 

Eric

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[Kim H.]

Hi Kyle,

I would encourage you to consider seriously about purchasing the 59cm Gus Boots Willsen bicycle off of the San Francisco Craigslist website to fulfill your needs for as a Clydesdale MTB rider. It would be perfect for you. This is a very rare opportunity to see one for sale, especially in your size. I do not know if you are aware of the fact that the Gus is a Rivendell model that has been long discontinued and won't be coming back. 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/d/san-francisco-rivendell-gus-boots/7823945598.html

Kim Hetzel who is happy on a Clem.

[Michael Morrissey]

If you can, you should RUN and buy that Gus Boots Willsen. You can always resell it later if it doesn't work out. The market for used Rivs is hot. The problem is you are between sizes of the Clem. The 52 is likely too cramped for you and the 59 is probably slightly too big. You need a Rivendell in the 55-57 range.

M

On Friday, January 3, 2025 at 8:58:25 PM UTC-5 Kyle Patton wrote:

[Doug Van Cleve]

A few thoughts…

An older Clem H (not step thru) would be stiffer than the current type.  The Joe Appa and Atlantis are basically the same, and noticeably long compared to any other bike I’ve ever ridden (other than a Bike Friday tandem with nobody on back).  Probably a Gus or maybe a Bombadil, maybe an older double TT Atlantis?

Doug

[Kim H.]

The Gus on the San Francisco Craigslist has been sold. The post has been deleted.

Kim Hetzel.