Buy a Clem (from Rivendel) and get a $750 store credit(!)

[LeRoy]

Yep, just like it sounds. Here is what Grant Peterson says in his latest Blahg (emphasis in bold added). If I didn't have one, I'd get one. Act now!

CLEM H's are incredible bikes, Hillybikes, All-Rounders, tourers, commuters. Dialed in, super values, and they aren't selling. We're not going to do them again,which seems nuts to me when I look at all the mainstream bikes that do sell for more and aren't as good, but that's just me.

Nevertheless, we're in a spot and we need to move 20 of those. Need to. We have 45s for most riders up to 5-6, 52s for most riders up to 5-11, and 59s for most riders up to 6-4. Complete except for saddles. This is a more comfortable, useful, better designed, better riding bike than most bikes in the world, and we need to sell 20. Here's an incentive: The first ten people to buy one between now and the end of the month will get $750 store credit.   

If you have a Clem H, you know what a great bike it is, and don't get mad that you paid more. Mourn us for having to do this and rejoice in the bargain your comrades are getting. If you don't have a CLEM H, but want a rough-stuff, toury-trail-towny bike, holy cow, a good time to get one.

And all orders received on Sat and Sun (the 16th and 17th will get free shipping and a $10 credit toward a future order  placed within a month.

I hate this stuff, but this is the reality, and it's a good opportunity. For those who read the BLAHG.

We (and certainly I) have a lot to be thankful for. I don't mean to sound desperate, just want to get over a hump we got here.

[Chad]

Wow! Great deal. I’ve been holding out for the small or medium Gus Boots to use as a MTB, but this offer is very tempting. I bought my wife a used 52 Low a couple of years ago and while she never rode it, I used it for a while and loved how it road and it was a great fit. I ended up trading it for an original ‘93 BStone XO-2. The problem for me with the Clem H is that a 46 seems too small and Riv recommends that I ride a 52. Based on having owned a used 52 Bombadil, I am almost sure the 52 H would give me a similar minimal 80ish SO that would be okay on light trails but borderline inappropriate for rough trail use with wide tires. I guess it would depend on what I used the Clem H for and should probably see what Riv recommends. Before the Clem came out, Brian and Grant recommended I size down to 48 650B Bomba or 50 Hunqapillar, but new ones are semi-custom and way out of my price range LOL. I am sure a 46 Clem L would work fine for me, but it is too bad they don’t offer it in a 48-50 650B. I’ve got several old 26” MTB’s and a ‘93 XO-2, but prefer 650B on a new bike as good 26” knobbies are getting ever harder to find each year. Does anyone here with about an 80PBH have experience riding a 46 or 52 Clem High? I am roughly 5’6” with what seems to be a longer than average PBH for my size.

[Joe Bernard]

Chad, I'm about your height and have owned both sizes of Clem H (and a 52 L). I think the sizing recommendations are skewed towards the stock completes which come with wayyyy reachy-backy Bosco Bars.

If I was buying today I would choose between two styles: Stock complete as a street bike; my own build as a trail bike with mtb-flattish bars. The 52 with reachy-backy and minimal clearance works for the street. 45 would be perfect as a mountain bike, and I'm not worried about tires; I just found some Schwalbe Black Jack knobbies for my XO-1.

If you want a smaller/lower H that you can toss around in the dirt, I say throw some flatbars or original Bullmoose on there and have at it. Do it this weekend and get free shipping, too!

[Chad]

Thanks for the insight Joe! I think your line of thinking somewhat echoes mine regarding the Clem H. The 45 sounds small compared to my experience with a lot of the Riv models, but thinking back, a 18” or 45-46 MTB with a sloping 57.5cm top tube is almost identical in size to what I would have ridden in my younger days ( mid 80’s to mid 90’s). I do wonder if I am going to have a ridiculous amount of seat post and stem showing as I would want to run Bullmoose or Wavie bars on a 45. The 52 would likely be too long for me without Boscoe Bars (which I actually liked more than I thought I would). So yeah, for someone that is around or size, the 45 would make a better MTB. I do see a few advantages to the 52 with stock build. I would get a cheap but burlier 650B wheelset in the buildkit should I decide later I can’t live without a Gus Boots and want to sell the Clem frame, I get the long chainstays, and of course a better selection of tires with 6550B wheels. I would just have to run the stock 52 tire size or smaller to maintain adequate stand over.

[Joe Bernard]

Don't miss the mustard 45cm Clems on the Garage Sale page. They're knocked down to $1400, you'll have to ask if the $750 credit applies to those, too. I almost bought one a couple weeks ago to mtb-ize, but then I snagged that Atlantis at Analog (and spent a gigantic amount of money!) instead.

[Andrew Huston]

Super tempted by this offer. This would be a great family addition for both me and my wife (occasional rider). Someone by my Sam and I’ll grab a Clem!

[S]

In the Blagh, Grant says they will not do the Clem again, and the Roadini also seems to going away, at least for a while. I wonder if new models will replace the Clem and Roadini in the lineup, and if so,  what those models will be like.

[Jonathan D.]

I think they will keep the Clem L. The Sam and AHH will be the Roadini type bike with the Roadeo remaining an option.

[S]

That makes sense. And I forgot the Gus Boots is coming out soon. But I am still hoping for a new, non step-through model.

[Joe Bernard]

I think the TIGed models made more sense when most of the other models were Waterford lugged frames at a much higher price. Today if I'm shopping Riv frames and looking at Clem or Roadini, my brain immediately jumps to "Well, Atlantis/Sam/joe/Chev/AHH are lugged with cream headtubes for not too much more."

I suspect this will be different for GBW because it's more specifically a mountain bike with a threadless fork.

[Joe Bernard]

Speaking of which, I think it's a mistake to market the Gus with a new term. "Hillybike" sounds like it's not intended to be a serious singletrack bicycle; like it's ok if you're just plonking along, but if you really want to get after it you need a "real" mountain bike.

Screw that, Gus is a real mountain bike. Call it that.

[tc]

Whoa.  What a great deal!  If you're on the fence, there are plenty of Clem H kudos and pics on this thread:
https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/Gcwi5GrZ_sg/discussion

If anyone has any questions, I have a 59 and love it for paved / packed riding (some pic's in the above thread).  I'll be happy to answer any questions.

If anyone has a 52 H, I'd love to see a pic of it with saddle height set to 31.25" (793mm).

Tom

[Joe Bernard]

Here's 70cm, so double that.

[Chad Schoenthaler]

Thanks for sharing the pic Joe.  That’s my approximate saddle height, so it gives me an idea what I would look like on a 52.   I pulled the trigger and ordered a 52 this morning based on my experience with a 52 Bombadil, 52 Clem L, 51 SH, and 52 AHH. All 650B bikes.  I wanted to make sure to get in on the first 10 orders deal. Unfortunately, It looks like Riv HQ is closed until Monday and all of the Mustard 45’s were sold out.  I’d love to see a pic of a 45 Clem H with the saddle height set at 69-70cm.  I would probably have heard myself saying this 10 years ago,  but in my mind the 45 just looks too small with its “shortish” chainstays.  I am also curious about the standover height on the 52.  The standover on my old double top tube 52 Bombadil measured about 80cm with 2.1 Quasi-Moto’s and 79.5cm on the 650Bx43 BG Rock’n Roads IIRC.

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[Joe Bernard]

I can do that, too! My first Clem (an eRiv build) was a 45cm.

[Chad]

Thank you again for sharing the pics Joe. I’ve gotten used to showing a little less seat post, but it’s nice to see that you can raise the Bullmoose bars to seat level on the 45. Do you notice a significant difference in ride or off-road capability between the two? I’m sure I’d probably be just as happy on the 45. I totally agree about your above comment regarding the name “hilly bike”. In my mind the Clem, Bombadil, Hunqa, are mountain bikes. Maybe more specifically “cross country rigid hardtail MTB” by modern definition, but true MTB’s nonetheless. My ‘82 Stumpie or ‘87 MB-2 are definitely not “hilly bikes”. RBW could even go more old school and resurrect the name ATB that was often used in the 80’s. “Hilly bike” sounds a little too close to “hilly billy bike” in my mind. I know they are trying to be playful with the name, but come on...these bikes are very capable. As Grant has been trying to demonstrate with the Mongolian analogy, you just have to ride smart...slow down, pic your lines carefully, hover off the seat, etc. and not rely on suspension to get through the rough stuff. I would also like to see them keep the All-Rounder name for the Atlantis and Appaloosa. I do own an older 130mm travel full suspension MTB for comparison. Of course it’s easier to ride through the technical stuff, stops better with hydraulic discs, and has a more comfortable “plush” feeling, but it’s not any more capable and sometimes less fun on trails IMHO. My 2 cents anyway...

[Joe Bernard]

Chad, I can't vouch for off road, but the 45 and 52 Clems felt the same on the street to me. One has more standover and one has a longer cockpit, pick your poison!

[gabriel luke thompson aspinwall]

Does anyone know if the free shipping applies to the Clem H deal as well?

[Joe Bernard]

It applies if you put the order in online by end of today (Sunday March 17, 2019). It's part of the promotion, not a standard shipping deal.

One caveat is I don't know how you determine if you're still one of the first 10 to order today, there's no one there to call and ask.

[Kolby]

It bums me out that Riv is in this position (again) with the Clem H. To Grant's point, it definitely should be selling given the mainstream market. Meanwhile, the Clem L is perpetually out of stock despite seemingly healthy demand (on this list, at least) and good press.  

I love my Rivs and I love the brand. But man, is it just me or does the marketing and messaging get quirkier and more baroque every year? They don't make it easy for the uninitiated, at least, and this is clearly at odds with the growth goals of a $1600 bike such as the Clem. 

But now, instead of trying a new marketing tactic with the Clem, it is going away. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Jim Bronson]

It does seem they're going to the well quite a bit.  I don't know what it's going to take to get the business on more solid footing but continuing to make these sort of appeals seems like it's probably going to have diminishing returns each time it's tried.

When the previous gen 65s went on sale for $1300 I bought one, for me that was a good deal and I ride the bike pretty often.  It's great for the mixed terrain riding I do often now that I live in the suburbs, whereas my other Rivs are more or less straight roadies.

When the cash flow appeal was made, I bought some gift certificates and never used them.

Now this current offer, while a good one, doesn't really work for me as the biggest size is 59s and I already have a Clem H anyway.  I could buy my wife a 45 but she doesn't ride the bike she has very much anyway.  Yea it'd be great to have a 750$ gift certiifcate just to buy maintenance parts but I have to assume that Rivendell would be selling the bike at cost and then with the gift certificate I'd be picking them apart bit by bit for the next couple of years.  I don't know how this helps the business.

I was surprised they did another run of Clem Hs anyway, it seemed like on this list that most of the usual suspects had already gotten one.  Maybe they sold briskly the first time around.  As the prior poster mentions, it seems like the Ls are sold out a lot.

What would really help me more is to barter, but that don't really help their business' cashflow.  At any rate I would love to trade my 90s Burley Duet tandem for a 45 Clem.  I finally came to the realization that it's way too small for the Captain. It's sitting in the garage gathering dust.  It's 25 years old and barely been ridden.

But anyway.

-Jim

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[Christopher Cote]

Kind of a bummer for me. The Clem H is probably the bike I'd most likely want to buy from Riv now, but I'm awash in bike projects and low on bike funds! The timing of these kind of deals never seems to work out.

Chris

On Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 12:19:12 AM UTC-4, LeRoy wrote:

[Chris Birkenmaier]

I'm curious as to how they made out on the weekend sales blitz.  If anyone wanted a Clem, that appeal surely should have shook them out of the woodwork.  As much as I'd love to help Riv, I just don't need a Clem which would be my 8th bike made by the company.  I do wish them nothing but the best to overcome this latest cash crunch.

On Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 12:19:12 AM UTC-4, LeRoy wrote:

[Chad]

FWIW, I called RBW today and had them measure the standover height on the 52 with the stock tires. It is about 80.5cm Does this sound about right Joe? It will fit me, but of course my standover will be very limited. They (Rich) thought that I'd be pretty happy on a 52. Also it sounds like they are extending the $750 credit deal past the first 10 to anyone who orders a Clem over the next few weeks. If you've ever considered a Clem L, now is the time to buy!

[Joe Bernard]

Chad, the standover sounds right, if a little pessimistic. That standover number is measured at the middle of the sloping toptube, it'll seem roomier directly in front of the saddle.

Unless you're really committed to using it as a singletrack machine that needs gobs of clearance, I say buy it and enjoy the roomy cockpit. It's a great bike.

[Ryan M.]

Amen to that, Chris. 

I'm saving for a Gus and don't have the scratch to get a Clem even though I could totally use it as a knock about trail bike. 5 months ago I would have pounced on the deal. As it is now I have three bikes up for sale and the wife told me to get rid of them before I get another one too....timing just never works out for me. haha

[Collin A]

Mr Chad,

On my 52 Clem H setup with 2.4 knobby contis at the moment, standover just in front of the saddle is bang on 81 cm. For context, my PBH is 81, but with hiking shoes on, there is enough clearance to keep my happy.

As others have iterated, the Clem is a fantastic bike that can do pretty much everything in a good enough fashion. I use mine for tours, singletrack, commutes, and will even use it at a MTB race this coming weekend! The only thing worth changing is maybe a lighter set of handbuilt wheels, which is still on my wishlist...

Good luck!

[Chad]

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking....80.5cm standover sounds a little high, but that is what Rich measured at RBW while I as on he phone. I know the Kenda tires on my wife’s Clem L actually measured quite a bit larger than 1.75” on the wide Alex DM24 rims. I was looking back at what I measured the standover at on first gen Bombadil. It was 79.5cm on 53mm Quasi-Moto tires (max size it would fit) and 78cm on 43mm (45 measured) Bruce Gordon Rock ‘n Roads. The standover was actually almost the same as my 51cm Sam H. Have you measured the standover on your 52, Joe?

One other question. Anyone know long the Taiwanese seatpost is that is included in the 45? I raised the 250mm Nitto Dynamic post 7cm higher than my usual 69cm saddle height on my 52 AHH just to get an idea of how much post I would need on the 45 Clem. It ended up a little too short at about 5mm past the min insertion line. Depending on pedals, shoes, saddle, and crank arm length, I sometimes run my saddle as high as 70cm, so I would definitely need a post longer than 250mm.

[REC (Roberta)]

I rode Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!'s husband 's 52 Clem H two weeks ago.  My pbh is 83.  It fit fine with thick soled sneakers, but not too much extra room for lower pbh people.  Rode nicely.

Roberta

[Chad Schoenthaler]

Collin.  That is one tough, bad-ass looking Clem.  That is how I envision setting mine up!

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[DHans]

Joe,

How would you compare the Clem H and the Clem L? I'm waiting for the Gus to come out and for the Clem L's to be restocked and will choose one of those for my next bike.

Thanks,

Doug

On Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 1:31:17 AM UTC-4, Joe Bernard wrote:

Chad, I'm about your height and have owned both sizes of Clem H (and a 52 L). I think the sizing recommendations are skewed towards the stock completes which come with wayyyy reachy-backy Bosco Bars.

If I was buying today I would choose between two styles: Stock complete as a street bike; my own build as a trail bike with mtb-flattish bars. The 52 with reachy-backy and minimal clearance works for the street. 45 would be perfect as a mountain bike, and I'm not worried about tires; I just found some Schwalbe Black Jack knobbies for my XO-1.

If you want a smaller/lower H that you can toss around in the dirt, I say throw some flatbars or original Bullmoose on there and have at it. Do it this weekend and get free shipping, too!

[Joe Bernard]

There's really no difference between H and L besides standover. All things being equal I'd have to say the L makes more sense, but that depends on how you feel about the step-thru look. I prefer the H.

[Ash]

This deal was SUPER tempting!!   But I have a very similar bike (46cm Appa). Somehow I managed to not order the Clem.   Instead bought a four figure gift card that I'll use when I start my MIT AHH project this summer.

[tc]

Hey Collin!

Could you tell me your saddle height, stem reach, and distance from saddle nose to handlebar ends?

Thanks,

Tom

[Collin A]

Hey Tom,

• Saddle height is about 71 cm with a 173 mm crank arm
• Current Stem length is 12 cm, and at the current height about 8 cm from the headtube
• Distance from saddle nose to handlebar ends is 51 cm point-to-point, about 39 cm in line with the bike.

for context, I'm definitely on the lower end of the sizing charts.

Hope this helps!

Collin A

[tc]

Colin, thanks - yes, very helpful indeed.

If I take your 39cm saddle-nose-to-bar-ends straight-line distance, and:

• Assume your saddle fore-aft and tilt position is not at either extreme (doesn't look to be)
• Add 1cm by using 13cm stem (instead of your 12)
• Add 2cm by using a Wavie bar, which comes back 2cm less than the Ahearne+Map I think you have (?)

...that resulting ballpark 42cm saddle-to-bar straight-line distance puts me right in between the 40.5cm I have on my Homer and 43cm on my Atlantis.  And stem height can dial that in or out as needed.  Cool.

Thanks again,

Tom

[Christopher Cote]

Collin, how did the race go? Please tell us you kept the basket on!

Chris

[Collin A]

It went well enough given the muddy conditions and the beer brakes, still been meaning to do a proper write-up but I've been slacking. Sadly no basket as I was trying to lighten the bike up a bit, ha