introduction and some thoughts on Riv sizing

[Joe Alter]

Hi all, 

I'm writing to you from the Roscoe Village neighborhood in Chicago.

I'm joining the group to learn more about how others are sizing their rigs. As much as I love the Clem, I’m starting to suspect I might be a better fit for a 50cm (I'm 5'6" with a shorter torso), so I’m looking forward to reading through the archives here regarding PBH and reach.

Best regards,

Joe

[Conway Bennett]

I tried reaching out via radavist too, but I'm in Chicagoland and am interested in your clem.  I just reached out via email too 

[Richard Rose]

I am not certain what the question here is? That Clem looks well sorted fit wise. Appropriate(?) amount of seat post showing with room to adjust in either direction. So the frame size seems good vertically at least? I am not a fan of PBH sizing. I know my saddle height, my preferred barometer.

Further, I am not sure what relationship there might be between PBH or saddle height & reach? 

I am 5’10” tall. My saddle height is 72.5cm. I ride a 52 Clem L with a 130mm FacePlater stem & 580 wide Bosco. I also ride a 57 Gus with a 35mm stem with a 785 wide, much less swept back (Albacore) bar. Contact points are nearly identical on both bikes with the exception of bar width. I guess my thought is if the saddle is right all else can be fine tuned via bar & stem. That said, I am no fit expert.

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On Mar 29, 2026, at 12:35 PM, Joe Alter <joe.c...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[ian m]

Hi Joe,

I previously owned a 52cm Clem (which I assume is the size of yours) and also attempted to run bullmoose bars on it when it arrived. I can also see that you have your saddle probably as far forward as you can get it, and IIRC the odd seatpost size makes finding a silver zero setback seatpost nigh impossible. 

The sad reality of the Clem is that the reach is far too much for each model size. The 2017 52cm model had an effective top tube length of 61cm(!) and amazingly they've only gotten longer. 

For comparison, my 55cm Crust Lightning Bolt (the only bike I use drops with) has a reach of 370mm. The 52cm Clem has a reach of 412.5mm. The reach on the newest models is 431mm on the 45cm model!

I was never even comfortable with Albatross bars on my Clem, and eventually sold it.

[Richard Rose]

Regarding Clem’s having too long of a Reach; not if you run Bosco’s. I am of average proportions & am running a 130 stem with Bosco’s! The reach is perfect. The Bullmoose in question has what, 90-100 extension? That combined with not much sweep would be problematic.

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On Mar 29, 2026, at 4:10 PM, ian m <darkg...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Joe,

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[ian m]

Yes the Clem's were I think initially designed around using the Bosco bars. I personally am not a fan, and I would argue that a frame intended to use such extremely swept back bars would require too long of a reach to use anything else.

Worth keeping in mind for the OP if wanting to downsize to a smaller Clem: if it's a newer model you may actually end up with MORE reach than you currently have.

If you need to use an extreme swept back bar like the Bosco, you may as well try it on your current Clem to see if you like it before downsizing to find you need to do the same

[David Ross]

The bike looks like it fits to me, and well within the range that the contact points can be made to work. One thing thing to add is that you don’t really need a setback seatpost on any Rivendell due to the slack seatpost tube. You’ll be able to move the saddle forward approximately an inch with a straight post. Just an idea. Otherwise, you’ll need to experiment with different stem/bar combos. You can get really close by measuring where you want your hands to be and then backing into it. 

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[Joe Bernard]

Echoing what others have said, that's the wrong bar for your height on a 52cm Clem, I'm your height with the L version of the frame and Boscos on a shorty stem are almost too far away. 

[Kim H.]

@David, 

"One thing thing to add is that you don’t really need a setback seatpost on any Rivendell due to the slack seatpost tube."

Au contrairie, I own 52cm Clem Smith Jr. "L" bicycle, I have a long torso and short limbs. This bicycle fits and suits all of my needs with Nitto Bosco bars. I have a Sakae Ringyo MTE-100 seatpost on it, This adds a lot more comfort and allows me to sit further back onto the rear wheel and not directly over the BB. Everyone has a different body and customizes their bikes to fit their body portions for comfort. 

Kim Hetzel. 

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[Zachary Cannon]

You've asked a difficult question, because it sounds like you aren't quite comfortable on your Clem. For me, that means that your picture could be indicative of a lot of different things, not all of which would be fixed by a change in bike size. It's easier to see a bike that's been made comfortable for a rider but has a particularly long, short or high stem/saddle, and consider how the bike could be made more comfortable.

It might be worth trying to dial the fit that works for your body first, and then decide which size and model of frame best aligns. Little things make a big difference for me in fit, such as raise or lowering bars and my seat 2-3mm at.a time. Adjust stem reach and saddle setback bit by bit, along with their angles. Once you get that all dialed in through trial and error and perhaps reader up here and elsewhere on fit, it might be clear what frame optimizes the fit your want.

Having lived in Chicago for many years previously, I think it's a location that demands a good fit because the lack of hills means you tend to ride in the same position all the time. 

I hope that helps and doesn't feel like a dodge. 
Best, Zach in ABQ