So.... Will (and Riv) did as perfect a job as possible of fixing the issues with my new Clem. I have new slightly upgraded wheels and touch-up paint for the scrape. I'm sure there were a lot of phone calls made when they got the wonky wheels back; the LBS that did the tire/cassette swap said it was like the spokes or spoke holders had never been threaded. The torture of waiting was greatly reduced by living 2-day UPS Ground away from Riv.
I have ridden it several times, making adjustments all the while, but before I launch into that, may I say, it is the most beautiful blue I could imagine for a bike. I wanted an orange Clem, but I am really loving this color. Of course, all the blue accessories I saved from my orange Cheviot will be sold because they clash with this Riv blue.
Homecoming was interrupted by an end-of-summer, two-day camping dash to Sedona. I thought I would ride for a week before swapping components, but I don't have that kind of resolve. The cockpit is a bit of a cock-up. How the trigger-shifter/brake on the right side is supposed to be usable is beyond me. I was excited by the option of a visual guide for shifting (my processor likes to do things backwards so a visual cue is beneficial), but in concert with the monstrously large brake levers (I used to have Pauls), it is a no-go. The handlebars had to be raised to a near-obscene height. So... before heading out to Sedona, I ordered Bosco bars, which I had on my Cheviot because the Albatrosses it came with were too short/low. They were on the doorstep when I got home.
Boscos arrived in 2 days and now I am messing about with wanting to swap the brake levers. Thoughts on shifters? I had Silver shifters on the Cheviot and I am not a fan of the current set-up. The current shifter situation may work out when I swap the brake levers out for Paul levers.
Working on a name... My Cheviot was Heidi. My white VWs are Mindy (from Colorado) and Shelby (from South Carolina). I was thinking 'Robin' but I prefer the 'ie' sound at the end.
I have a set of Tosco bars for sale 😉. And I am seeking cork grips for when I finally have the cockpit dialed in. I'll do separate posts for both of those.
Photos coming when it is as it will be for more than a couple of days 🤔.
kiley, out.