Budget Clem L Build

[Franco Rinaldi]

Ciao Everybody,

About to grab a Clem frame and really want to do a highly utilitarian / budget build. Wanted to start a thread with tips and suggestions!

Appreciate you guys,

Franco Rinaldi
c: 646.403.0661

-Pardon any typos, Siri typed this message-

[Gordon Stam]

Make sure you get a seatpost with it. Its a 29.8 seatpost which is kind of an odd size.

[Richard Rose]

Gordon, what size Clem? I think the seatpost is 26.8, not 29.8. I’ve made typos too - no biggie.

Velomine has decent wheelsets for cheap. Mine are still straight & smooth (cliffhanger on Deore hubs) after almost 8,000 miles. I have an extra 26.8 Kalloy if your bike does not have one.

Prior to getting my complete Clem I was considering a frame only / budget build. I actually was making plans to strip my old Trek MTB of its Shimano LX 3x7(9?) drivetrain & v brakes to get the Clem up & running for real cheap. Bikes like my old Trek can be found dirt cheap. Perhaps you could find something similar to steal parts from?

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On May 29, 2024, at 8:09 PM, Gordon Stam <gds...@gmail.com> wrote:

Make sure you get a seatpost with it. Its a 29.8 seatpost which is kind of an odd size.

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[Richard Rose]

Something like this?

Sent from my iPhone

On May 29, 2024, at 8:09 PM, Gordon Stam <gds...@gmail.com> wrote:

Make sure you get a seatpost with it. Its a 29.8 seatpost which is kind of an odd size.

--

[Richard Rose]

Sorry Gordon, meant to say “Franco”.

Sent from my iPhone

On May 29, 2024, at 8:38 PM, Richard Rose <rmro...@gmail.com> wrote:

Gordon, what size Clem? I think the seatpost is 26.8, not 29.8. I’ve made typos too - no biggie.

[Gordon Stam]

Yeah, mine's a 59cm. But you're right Richard, the smaller frames take the 26.8 seatpost according to the Rivendell website.

Speaking of which, I may have mention this before but I got my frame without the seatpost and had to order one from Rivendell. The one I got took a fair amount of sanding (actually a lot of sanding) to get it to fit. Prior to that I was using a 27.2 with shims.

Sanded seatpost. I finished with 1000 grit 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/C6DCA11A-65A2-4577-81DA-FCA433A3BF0A%40gmail.com.

[Nick Shoemaker]

Hi Franco!

Here's a couple of generic tips:

• you're probably going to need two chains for a Clem (really ~1.1, but almost certainly more than one)
• larger Clems with certain handlebar/shifter combos may need an extra long shifter cable (Riv sells them)

And here's my 'budget' build list with some notes. My objective was to build a bike that could 1) haul kids, 2) shred singletrack, and 3) take me bikepacking without breaking. I succeeded :) This is my favorite bike ever and it was worth every penny! You could probably cut my build cost in half, or less with some careful ebaying - I was super-picky and bought most parts new, but there are plenty of deals to be had out there if you are patient...

[Nick Shoemaker]

And the photo that wouldn't attach to my first message...

[Kim H.]

Hey Franco,

I have some extra parts off of my Clem that I would be more than willing to sell you.

a silver Nitto Technomic stem - 100mm with bar clamp diameter of 25.4mm with a quill length of 225mm and a stem angle degree of -17.

a stock front derailleur - Shimano XT . I would have to look up the model number tomorrow.

That is it for now, until I can go out and look further into my parts drawers in my garage, tomorrow to help you out.

Kim Hetzel.

BTW, my Clem takes 122 links from two chains for my drivetrain of a 11-40T cassette, a 34T front chain ring and a Shimano Deore XT M592 long caged rear derailleur.

[Mathias Steiner]

Franco:

Building a bike from the frame up is always expensive if you buy the parts one by one.

Best is if you have a deep parts bin.

If not, the cheapest way would be to buy a late 80s to early 90s mountain bike in good shape, something nobody lusts after, and move the parts over. Pay attention to things like tubing diameter.

If you're in the US, bicycle co-ops are a godsend for used parts.

And I second the Velomine recommendation. I cannot buy the parts for their wheel prices, not even close.
Finally, for consumables, I recommend ordering from Germany. Tires, tubes, chains are 40% of what they cost in the U.S. Rim tape, too, that sort of thing. I've had good luck with rosebikes.com -- NOT rosebikes.de, they only ship in the EU.

Good  luck. We will expect pictures.
cheers -mathias

[Eric Daume]

You might want to get on Soma’s email list. They’ve been having some great sales (eg 65% off) and many of their parts will work great with a Riv build. 

Eric

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[Eric Daume]

You might want to get on Soma’s email list. They’ve been having some great sales (eg 65% off) and many of their parts will work great with a Riv build. 

Eric

On Monday, May 27, 2024, Franco Rinaldi <fmri...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Patrick Moore]

Please keep us informed of your total outlay. I'm interested in a budget Clem myself.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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[Justin Kennedy]

I would second the Soma recommendation above - they frequently have amazing sales of like 60-75% off. Recently had Clipper cranks for $50. I'd also recommend budget Shimano v-brakes and a cheapo rear derailleur which you can find on ebay or A'zon for ~$10-15. Also check out these Velocity Cliffhanger wheels for $110-$130 (entire wheelset for less than $250).

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=105455

Make sure you get the correct size, obviously. 

Otherwise, check your local craigslist for handlebars and other parts. Velo Orange sometimes has deeep sales/discounts depending on what component you're looking for. 

[Doug H.]

I bought a Clem complete and replaced several parts to suit my preferences. I bought a few tools along the way and learned to install and adjust several parts. The completes seem to be good value.

Doug

[Franco Rinaldi]

This is all so helpful. My dilemma is, I can grab a Platy complete for $2500. I’m tempted to grab a Clem frame but worried the total build will exceed that. Don’t know how unrealistic my thinking is, whether I can put a sick Clem together with a magic vibe for under $2k

Franco Rinaldi 

c:  646.403.0661 

-Pardon any typos, Siri typed this message-

On May 30, 2024, at 11:50 AM, Doug H. <dhansf...@gmail.com> wrote:

I bought a Clem complete and replaced several parts to suit my preferences. I bought a few tools along the way and learned to install and adjust several parts. The completes seem to be good value.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/35b160ef-9a43-4185-850b-08e27e459304n%40googlegroups.com.

[Doug H.]

The Clem frameset is $1,300 so that would leave you $700 for parts to stay at $2k. I would put together a spreadsheet list of parts with prices and total that up to see. Which bike would suit you needs better? I would not base my decision on a few hundred dollars if this is to be a long-term bicycle for you.

Doug

[Franco Rinaldi]

The platy seems sick vs the Clem for city use, especially considering the shorter wheelbase. The Clem does offer more clearance but I already have a bike for real chunky use. It’s a tough call!

Franco Rinaldi 

c:  646.403.0661 

-Pardon any typos, Siri typed this message-

On May 30, 2024, at 1:19 PM, Doug H. <dhansf...@gmail.com> wrote:

The Clem frameset is $1,300 so that would leave you $700 for parts to stay at $2k. I would put together a spreadsheet list of parts with prices and total that up to see. Which bike would suit you needs better? I would not base my decision on a few hundred dollars if this is to be a long-term bicycle for you.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/28c57483-0437-44b1-9927-80e4f2aa7583n%40googlegroups.com.

[Franco Rinaldi]

Also seeing 2023 Clem in 64 on their site for $2050.. could work for me. Going to call them for size feedback

Franco Rinaldi 

c:  646.403.0661 

-Pardon any typos, Siri typed this message-

On May 30, 2024, at 1:19 PM, Doug H. <dhansf...@gmail.com> wrote:

The Clem frameset is $1,300 so that would leave you $700 for parts to stay at $2k. I would put together a spreadsheet list of parts with prices and total that up to see. Which bike would suit you needs better? I would not base my decision on a few hundred dollars if this is to be a long-term bicycle for you.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/28c57483-0437-44b1-9927-80e4f2aa7583n%40googlegroups.com.

[Kim H.]

@Franco,

That is an excellent plan to call RBW headquarters. Ask for Will Keating,  the General Manager. He would be the right person to get your questions answered.

Know your PBH first. 

Kim Hetzel. 

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[Franco Rinaldi]

Called Riv. Nicest people ever! Turns out they were able to swap the 59 Clem frame into the 64 pre built package and offer me essentially a pre built 59. I’m super stoked. 34/24 on the chain ring, which I think is low for the riding I’m down but I figure I’ll see what it’s like first and change whenever! That and some beefier tires!

Franco Rinaldi 

c:  646.403.0661 

-Pardon any typos, Siri typed this message-

On May 30, 2024, at 3:54 PM, Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Kim H.]

@Franco,

I am very pleased to hear that you were treated well beyond your expectations by RBW headquarters. 

What a real deal about swapping out your 59cm Clem frameset for a 59cm pre-built package. It was worth the call. 

You can always change out what you don't like over time with your bicycle.

Enjoy!

Kim Hetzel. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6A6D4E8B-1AE0-4C7E-A912-0D97EDF5F7A5%40gmail.com.