Casual WTB: Small-Sized Roadish Riv/Any other short riders out there?

[Sofie C]

Anyone looking to unload a small, road-ish Rivendell frame? Though my heart belongs to mixtes (my sole bike is the Clem after selling my Platy), I can't seem to get the idea of trying out a more classic, triangle frame out of my mind! At 5'1.5 tall with a pbh of ~76, I am not even sure that a bike with a typical top tube would work out well for me (even my 50 cm platy felt a little bit large), but wanted to put this out into the universe. On the other hand my 45cm Clem feels like it was made for me, size-wise. 

[Richard Rose]

For what it’s worth, I have ridden traditional top tube / Diamond frames for 40+ years. And, that “age” has a lot to do with this; but the step thru design of the Clem “L” is easily my favorite feature of this favorite bike. I am never going back. The only possible drawback I can see is the inability to use a frame bag. But I am finding other ways to carry stuff. Any other supposed advantages to a traditional top tube frame are vastly overrated or non existent. That said, I understand wanting to try different things. That’s how I got here!

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 6, 2022, at 2:48 PM, Sofie C <sof...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anyone looking to unload a small, road-ish Rivendell frame? Though my heart belongs to mixtes (my sole bike is the Clem after selling my Platy), I can't seem to get the idea of trying out a more classic, triangle frame out of my mind! At 5'1.5 tall with a pbh of ~76, I am not even sure that a bike with a typical top tube would work out well for me (even my 50 cm platy felt a little bit large), but wanted to put this out into the universe. On the other hand my 45cm Clem feels like it was made for me, size-wise. 

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[Sean Steinle]

Following for my 5'2" wife with 74cm pbh, who is currently making a 50cm Bridgestone RB-T work with Jitensha bars for casual rides. 700c wheels on that bike was a mind-boggling choice. I'd love to see her on a more appropriate 47cm(ish) bike, with appropriate (i.e. not vastly overbuilt) tubing for someone her size/weight, and 26" wheels. I fear custom is the only option...

[Joe Mullins]

Sofie, my better half and I took a trip to Riv last month. She has a 50cm Platy and while there she rode the AAH, Sam, Charlie, and Clem. She is 5’7 but has a PBH of 76. She fit well on the 51’s and has her heart set on a gold Sam. I think the AHH and Sam felt so similar to her that it came down to color. Mind you she rode the drop bar setups they have. 

I too have a Sam and LOVE IT. The more bikes I try the more I realize how special the Sam is. IMO, its really an amazing Swiss army knife bike.

On another note, I’ve never seen her as bike-stoked as she was after riding the Clem! We are going to replicate the bar setup and switch out her Albatross for Tosco’s and set it up like the Clem she rode.

Not sure where you live but if you can make the pilgrimage to Riv, they have all those bikes in your size to try out.

Joe

On Apr 6, 2022, at 11:48 AM, Sofie C <sof...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anyone looking to unload a small, road-ish Rivendell frame? Though my heart belongs to mixtes (my sole bike is the Clem after selling my Platy), I can't seem to get the idea of trying out a more classic, triangle frame out of my mind! At 5'1.5 tall with a pbh of ~76, I am not even sure that a bike with a typical top tube would work out well for me (even my 50 cm platy felt a little bit large), but wanted to put this out into the universe. On the other hand my 45cm Clem feels like it was made for me, size-wise. 

[Elisabeth Sherwood]

Just chiming in, as a 5'2" owner of a 47cm Saluki...  (52cm effective top tube on that, with a 72-degree seat-tube angle.)  Set up as a traditional road bike (although with a very short-reach stem, given that I have quite short arms).

Also to say that my first Riv purchase was a 48cm first-gen (possibly second-gen?) Hillborne. Maybe I bought it from Riv in 2009 or so? It was shortly after the start of the financial crisis...  Anyway, I figured that, well, of course a 48cm frame would fit...  And thus started my journey into better understanding bicycle geometry.  That Hillborne has an effective top tube of 54cm. Even set up as a flat-bar bike, it was wayyyy to long for me. It now belongs to my 5'8" boyfriend; it's set up as a touring bike with road bars and he uses it for touring and gravel.  He loves that bike, and it fits him like a dream...

Long story short, if you are 5'2" or so and want to set up a Rivendell *with road handlebars*, you'll need an early-generation Saluki/Hilson or early-gen Atlantis.

(All that said, I once had a very-very small 1981 Nishiki Olympic 12.  Tiny. With 27" wheels. That was a beautiful fit!  I still regret selling that! So, somewhere out there, there are v. small UJBs that will absolutely work for quite short riders!)

I wish you all the luck in the world! 

Liz S.

Washington, DC

[Collin A]

Sean mentioned looking for a bike "more appropriate 47cm(ish) bike, with appropriate (i.e. not vastly overbuilt) tubing for someone her size/weight, and 26" wheels." I got my wife her 47.5 AHH as a gift a couple years ago, and barring the 26" wheel size, I'd say it almost perfectly fits the bill.

Photo for proof:

We've since switched out the rims for some light Pacenti Brevets (these were originally my Clem wheels), HT albatross bars, and switched the basket rack for a banana sax and bagboy to shed some more weight! Sadly I do not have more detailed photos than these:

Cheers,

Collin in Sactown 

[Sofie C]

Richard - I have a feeling that even if I were to try the more traditional triangle frames, I'll come right back to my Clem. It's just hard not to want to try all the Rivendell flavors! 

Joe - my dream is to one day make pilgrimage to Walnut Creek -- alas I am in the  Boston area with two small kids, so a trip out there is probably a ways out for me. Great to hear that both you and your wife love the Sam. 

Sean - I commiserate with your wife and hope that she can find her dream bike that's also a perfect fit!

Elisabeth - thank you so much for the feedback on the Sam sizing - it's so helpful. I'll keep my eyes peeled for earlier saluki/homer/atlantis. I have short arms too!

Collin - your wife looks great on her Homer! 

[Joe Bernard]

Sofiya, 

Check out this Atlantis Web Special. 

https://www.rivbike.com/products/47-5cm-atlantis-proto-with-old-style-decals

[Sofie C]

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!🙈 That is too cool.

[Sofie C]

And sold! I hope someone here snagged it!

On Friday, April 8, 2022 at 5:42:23 PM UTC-4 Joe Bernard wrote:

[Fullylugged]

I've got a 52 cm Rambouillet (26" wheels) that I could part with if it helps someone. Geometry charts are around on Cyclofiend, iirc or the way back machine, or I have them on paper somewhere. You can DM me with any interest.  It's pretty roadish, but takes up to 38 mm tires if you want to hit dirt/gravel.

Bruce

"The Prattville Bike Shop."

[Roberta]

A Homer Hilsen, a fantastic ride and much different than your Clem. https://www.rivbike.com/products/homer

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 2:48:04 PM UTC-4 sof...@gmail.com wrote:

[Gina]

Hello! I wanted to chime in to say hello to my fellow short riders:) I'm 5'1 with a PBH of 70 (long torso, short legs hooray!). Not especially helpful for you but I had Vince at Riv size me last week--he basically confirmed that the 45 cm Clem is the only frame that would work for me. I, too, would love to try all the Riv flavors...hoping you find something that fits you!

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 2:07:39 PM UTC-7 sof...@gmail.com wrote: