Swapping Clem H to Atlantis

[Collin A]

Hey Folks,

I've enjoyed my Clem over the past 2 years, but have always had a nagging desire for an Atlantis or Apaloosa, partly for the differing ride characteristics, but also cause lugs and that creamy blue-green :). I finally realized that one of the updates in the 2020 Atlantis was a switch of tire size from 26" to 650b in the 50cm size. Combined with my missing the latest round of Apaloosas (0 for 2!) Inow see an openning to doing a parts switch from my current 52 Clem H to a 50 cm Atlantis and wanted to pull from the collective experience of the group. I have a few questions for folks:

1. Is the Atlantis more of a hillibike or a country bike? I imagine Hilibike thanks to the now 2.4" tire clearance and how most folks have set theirs up.
• Bill's Atlantis and another more recent build post come to mind 
2. For folks who've run a 2" tire on the atlantis, have you noticed any weird pedal strike or standover issues since the bike is designed for larger tires
3. What are some of the more unique aspects of the Atlantis that you enjoy or despise?
4. Seatpost size on the 50cm model? Assuming 26.8 but I can't find any documentation
5. Is the Atlantis easy to maneuver around the train, apartment, stairwell, etc. or is it still a big bike?

Any other thoughts/differences? I am curious to hear the groups overall impressions of the Atlantis, especially for those who have switched between a few of the Rivendell models.

I'm planning to still keep the Atlantis on the hillibike side of the spectrum and hopefully use it to explore the sierra foothills this summer (or next, if California stays on the current trajectory)

Thanks all,

Collin in Sacramento

[Jason Fuller]

Ha, I have a Clem H and am constantly fighting a nagging desire to upgrade to an Atlantis / Joe in similar size. But for me, it's purely vanity that draws me in (those lugs, those colours).  

However in my case, it would be going from a 45cm Clem H to a 50cm Atlantis / 51cm Appaloosa, and for me that's a pretty close comparison fit-wise.  So the 52 Clem H must be a tad big for you? Or is it the earlier, shorter geometry?  I know I'd be going to about a 40-50mm longer bike in my hypothetical swap, but I guess that's not so much the case for you. 

Sorry I can't offer any actual experiences, other than empathizing with your plan! 

[Collin A]

I am glad there are others out there with the same predicament, it makes me feel better!

But yes, I am on the lower end size wise on the 52 Clem H.

[Joe Bernard]

I've owned both but the Atlantis for only a short time (long story about hand problems which knocked me off the bike for a while and I sold that one). So I don't have an extensive font of knowledge of the MIT Atlantis (53cm) but it's definitely a bike I would take singletracking. I would ride any trail a Clem can take, which is most of them.

Yes it's a long bike. Maybe not *quite* as long as Clem, but you'll do some gymnastics in a stairway or elevator.

Should you buy one with all those lugs in that perfect color? Don't even wait!

[LBleriot]

I'm lucky enough to own both a Clem H and an MIT Atlantis.  My Clem has swept back bars and Cazaderos so that I can ride trails.  My Atlantis has drop bars and front rack for long comfy road rides.  I'm sure there are lots of differences in geometry details and other nuances that I don't understand, but to me the frames are pretty much the same and are interchangeable.  I could swap parts back and forth between the frames, and probably wouldn't notice a difference.

[Andrew Nussbaum]

I have a tangential question: is it accurate that then Atlantis can fit tires up to 2.4"? The Riv website says it fits tires up to 2.2" only.

[Collin A]

Andrew,

There definitely seems to be an inconsistency between the geometry charts and the actual models, my guess based on how often there are little tweaks to the frames. The Atlantis page specifically calls out the 2.4" clearance here:

https://www.rivbike.com/collections/framesets/products/frame-new-atlantis

That's an interesting note about how you have the Clem and Atlantis setup. What is your PBH? Another reason/thought for the switch it is to try and get a frame that fits just a wee bit better.

Thanks for the comments so far, I really appreciate them!

[Andrew Nussbaum]

Thanks, Collin. Good call. I'd been looking in the wrong place!

[Bill Lindsay]

My Atlantis is definitely a HilliBike.  Why?  Because I spent a dollar for a Hillibike sticker at Rivendell Bicycle Works and applied it to my Atlantis.  

It's a dynamite country bike as well.  I run 27.5" x 2.0" tires on mine and I have not had any problem with pedal strike.  The only time I've had a pedal strike was on a curb, riding too close to the curb.  It is a longish bike.  The only stairwell I negotiate with a bike is my dentist's office and it's a pain getting up the stairs with it.  I keep it in the garage on a hook, where the length actually makes it easier.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Clark Fitzgerald]

I have tires that are labeled 2.25" and measure 2.29" on my MIT Atlantis, and the clearances are quite tight, both front and rear. Probably less than 5mm. I wouldn't want anything bigger.

On Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 1:37:36 PM UTC-7, Andrew Nussbaum wrote:

[Drw]

Someone posted a fun video of singletracking with an atlantis a couple months ago. It'll make you want one even more. 

[Jesse]

 .. 2" tire on the atlantis ... any weird pedal strike

Assuming the BB drop is still 68mm, a 2" tire should yield a BB height of ~274. Low for singletrack, but probably fine everywhere else.