The Clem preorder that I don't think anyone posted about yet

[Johnny Alien]

So beyond the questionable replacement of the Tosco bars with the Billie bars this is probably (and by probably I mean it pretty much definitely is) the absolute best stock Clem build they have offered so far. Silver hubs, great tires, silver shifters....totally stacked. Anyone in on getting one?

[Franco Rinaldi]

I’m totally gonna use that build as a template for my current clem redux.

Franco Rinaldi 

c:  646.403.0661 

-Pardon any typos, Siri typed this message-

On Jan 11, 2025, at 11:20 AM, Johnny Alien <johnny....@gmail.com> wrote:

So beyond the questionable replacement of the Tosco bars with the Billie bars this is probably (and by probably I mean it pretty much definitely is) the absolute best stock Clem build they have offered so far. Silver hubs, great tires, silver shifters....totally stacked. Anyone in on getting one?

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[Ryan]

I was going to mention that the wheels seemed like a nice upgrade w Silver hubs...and built by St. Jump, which anyone who bought a Roaduno seem to like. Nice colors too

[bill la via]

I am for sure since I lost everything including my beloved platy in the firestorm. 

-Bill

On Sat, Jan 11, 2025 at 8:20 AM Johnny Alien <johnny....@gmail.com> wrote:

So beyond the questionable replacement of the Tosco bars with the Billie bars this is probably (and by probably I mean it pretty much definitely is) the absolute best stock Clem build they have offered so far. Silver hubs, great tires, silver shifters....totally stacked. Anyone in on getting one?

--

[John]

Pre-order page is up with pics of the complete Clems. 

https://www.rivbike.com/products/clem-completes-2025

[Doug H.]

I like the colors and the upgrades. The shifters seem more Rivendellian which is a good thing.

Doug

[Richard Rose]

There are a couple of interesting changes to the Clem frames? First looks to be the downtube shifter mounts with the domed fittings that look to include barrel adjusters. The second is the scalloped seat stay caps, which I love. I am just a bit bewildered by the handlebar change.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 24, 2025, at 10:42 AM, Doug H. <dhansf...@gmail.com> wrote:

I like the colors and the upgrades. The shifters seem more Rivendellian which is a good thing.

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[Mackenzy Albright]

You know - I briefly set up my Clementine with a downtube shifter via a awkwardly rigged clamp-on simplex shifter. I actually really enjoyed it. Something about downtube shifters feels very precise/direct to me. I also am always happy to de-clutter my handlebars for more comfortable hand positions. Since it was more out of site out of mind I definitely shifted less - more of a gear selector than active shifting. I went back to having a thumb shifter because of occasional slipping of the clamp mechanism under load. 

Maybe I should get a shifter mount brazed on! 

[Michael Baquerizo]

I noticed the same! The first was something I wish was on my era of Hillborne (admittedly only an aesthetic wish) and the second is the reason i'm happy to own my hillborne over the newer ones with the socket seat lug. 

I wonder if they also managed to fix the issue with using a double legged plestcher and bigger tires. on mine (the original bronzey green run) you cant make the two play well together.

That yellow is pretty.

[Joe Bernard]

I don't understand the bar change either, Clems are just right with Boscos. 

[Doug H.]

I agree, Joe. The Clem seems to be made for Bosco bars.

Doug

[Eric Daume]

I support the bar change. I really disliked the Bosco on the Clem I had: too narrow, and if I wasn’t sitting bolt upright, the hand placement on the bar was poor  

I’m glad they changed the tires too. Those Kenda Kwik Nines were the worst tire I’ve ever ridden:

https://bikingtoplay.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-summer-fling-with-clem.html?m=1

Eric

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[Kim H.]

@Joe,

I, too do not understand the handlebar change either. The Nitto Bosco bars are perfect for an upright riding position.

Kim Hetzel.

[P W]

Perfect for YOU.

I’m sure there are plenty of people, like ME, who would say the same thing about a Billie!

That’s the thing, they can’t please everyone.

But you can always buy a different bar.

And probably sell the one it came with on here!

P. W.

~

(917) 514-2207

~

On Jan 24, 2025, at 8:51 PM, Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Joe Bernard]

Correct, I'm just expressing an opinion. Billies are wonderful and I would still have one on my custom if my arthritic wrists didn't need so much height. They're certainly prettier than Boscos, another opinion! 

[Garth]

The original 56cm steel Albatross bars were their best all around swept back bar, in my oh-pinion :) ! 

Besides, the Clem is not meant to be a bike of accomodating every personal limitation. No bike is, or ever could be. 

I like that they've changed things up with different parts. The DT shifter boss housing stops have been around since at least the 90's.  I think Riv started selectively ditching brazed on bosses along with rear canti brake bridge cable stops with the intro of the Clems. Shifters are indeed more crisp when used at the DT as they were designed ! They were never meant for bar ends or tops. Suntour and later Shimano had dedicated shifters for both of those, and the diameters of the ratcheting mechanism was larger than the DT variety, to hold the gears better no doubt, and they do. 

[Josh C]

I think the new run of Clems are nicely appointed. There's less stuff that I'd want to take off and replace. The silver shifters are a nice touch, and I have never fully gotten along with Bosco's. They sit me up too high and give me a feeling of having my hands in my lap, which is comfortable to a point, but also doesn't give me much confidence on the bike. I just swapped mine Clem's Boscos for a set of Uncle Rons Ortho's, and immediately, the bike felt more capable, even if just for navigating obstacles during my commute and errand runs, which is what I use my clem for. I also swapped the micro-shift shifters for Silvers, which cost me nearly $100. Looks like you guys will be getting some nice bikes. 

[Johnny Alien]

I should also clarify when I mentioned the replacement being questionable it was not to speak ill on the Billie bars which are stellar bars. It was because the bosco and later tosco bars that rose to fame along side of and specifically with the Clem. Also the tosco is a much more affordable bar. So its a shocking choice but not one that I think is bad. I prefer the tosco because I do think they work so perfectly together. I kind of wonder if it has to do with the move to friction shifters as they might be a bit easier to place on the Billie bars

[Michael Baquerizo]

from your images Eric, besides your complaining about the width, your bars seem to be too parallel to the ground. Bosco's work great when tilted down. 

I personally don't see any issues with the replacement bar though, being bar-curious and willing to try most things. 

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[JonahEye]

Those look great. I'm a bit envious of the bronzey green and the upgrades. 

[Christopher Young]

This seems like as a good a place as any to ask this question. What is up with the slightly bent seat stays on some of the Clems? I've been very confused about why in some Clem pictures they look straight and sometimes bent, and then in the course of reading through the info on the new Clems for 2025, I think I've figured out that they are only bent on the larger frame sizes. Is that correct? If so, why? Is it necessary to somehow make the frame work in that size? any other Riv frame where they had to do that? I'm content with the bikes I have and so won't be ordering one, but am just curious about this. BTW, I like the look of the straight seat stays better, but no doubt (!) others feel differently.

Chris Young

[Johnny Alien]

Its on the larger frames only. I am sure it has to do with maintaining the right geometry but thats above my pay grade. I think the first ones ALL had bent seat stays but my memory sucks these days.

[Garth]

I recall the bent stays being mentioned somewhere in Riv writings, but I vaguely recall it having to do with the seat lug and the possible angles for each type. Notice the two types used in the 2025 Clem photos.

https://www.rivbike.com/cdn/shop/files/2025Clem-9.jpg?v=1737666154&width=1445

https://www.rivbike.com/cdn/shop/files/2025Clem-30.jpg?v=1737666154&width=1445

[Mackenzy Albright]

The bent rear stays function to utilize the same lug castings to avoid needing to produce extra parts. It allows for consistent chain stay length with a varied seat tube height on different sizes.  It just happens to be a nice stylistic feature. 

I read it on one of the blaghs, blogs, or write ups on the clems - i am sure this is findable but I am lazy so no direct citation. 

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

The first Clems all used the same seat lug that had been created for a big bike that didn’t happen, so the 65cm frames from the first batch (all “H” frames) had straight seat stays, while the rest swooped to accommodate. 

-Kai, rider of a straight stayed Clem H

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 2:02:54 PM UTC-5 nmtr...@gmail.com wrote:

[tio ryan]

I’ve always wondered about the reason for the bent seatstays on the larger Clem frames. It also seems like the top and down tubes are parallel on the smaller sized frames, but look a bit wonky on the larger sizes. Personally, I much prefer the straight stays and the more ornate lug on the smaller frames. Sometimes, I wish I had waited a bit longer to buy my first Riv—the yellow Clem is definitely calling my name!

Just how much different does a Clem feel compared to a Platypus, I wonder? 

-tio "tempted by the fruit of another" ryan 

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Tio Ryan,

I have had a long and loving history with both Clem and Platypus. If Rivendell made a non-burly Clem, I’d be all over it. I loved my Clem but it was more frame than I needed. My Platypuses are much more nimble and light-feeling. I don’t know your size/stature, but if you are slight of frame and build, I’d recommend the Platy. If you are a big strong tough guy, I bet you’d like a Clem!

Leah

[tio ryan]

Thanks, Leah! If the Platypus is lighter and more nimble than the Clem, that's all I need to hear—it reassures me that I made the right choice. I have a 50cm Sergio Green Platypus, but it hasn’t seen much action since getting my Roaduno. Those two feel quite different. 

-tio 

[DTL]

My first thought with the Billie bars was maybe they had lots of them. Frankly they dont seem to be as popular (at least from just browsing images on this forum) so it would seem very Riv-thinking to fit them onto this run to get them into the world.

[Doug H.]

I look forward to ride reports from new Clem owners. I do wonder how many sold this time.

Doug

[Kim H.]

I read recently from earlier today that a person on Reddit tried to buy a 59cm bronzy green bike only to discover they were all gone in three minutes. 

Kim Hetzel 

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[Kim H.]

A 59cm Clem....

Kim Hetzel. 

[Sean]

I look forward to giving you one! Ordered one of the yellow completes and am super excited! One thing I was wondering if anybody has ever tested out.. the bike I am bout to sell is a mountain bike that I've used the kids "shotgun" seat on to take my son along for rides.. does anyone have any experience trying this style of seat out on the Clem?? I am pessimistic it will work but will definitely try it out!

[Jaysun Pine]

The 59cm in Bronzey Green were gone in 3 minutes

[Nick Shoemaker]

Hey Sean - I'm a Clem owner and Shotgun (seat) super-fan, too! (and super-envious of the new yellow ones, congrats!)

I couldn't find any way to make it work on my Clem. I think the biggest issue is that there isn't nearly as much clearance between the frame & fork on a rigid Riv as there would be on a full-suspension MTB (for foot clearance). The 'top-tube' is also too steep to allow for a level saddle position. I've ended up keeping my FS MTB operational specifically for riding my son around on the Shotgun - it's easily the most fun parent/kid riding experience we've had, and I think it more than justifies keeping an extra bike around just to make that possible!

Another note on the Clem* with kids is that I've encountered a lot (like a lot, a lot) of flex when using a rear rack-mounted child seat - It's workable on simple paved-surface rides, but I would never want to use a setup like that off-pavement.

*1) my Clem is a huge 64cm, 2) my rack is fairly cheap (but has a 50lb weight limit) 3) my seat is a Burly, which....isn't particularly -- all to say that the Clem is likely only a part of the flex-inducing equation

I would also love to hear from any other parents who have figured out how to replicate a Shotgun-style seating position on a Clem or any other Riv for that matter - that would be amazing if possible!

Nick

[Aaron Morris]

Nick - I'm curious about this style seat on a Clem as well. Were you trying the classic Shotgun that clamps to the frame or the one that connects from stem to seat post? I was looking into the Mac Ride  and was hoping for it to work with a Clem. Appreciate any info!

-Aaron

[Nick Shoemaker]

I have the original Shotgun that clamps on to the frame. I am also intrigued by the Mac Ride, but I'm pretty sure that I would't be able to straddle my (admittedly huge) Clem if I installed one! It does seem like it might work as long as your frame was small enough to allow some standing clearance when installed.