Clem L 59 -- Considering a purchase

[RDS]

I am thinking of getting a Clem L frame or complete bike. 

The latest catalog has a min PBH of 83 for the size 59.  I am 83+/-.  Anyone near PBH own one and have any comments?  I am overweight, so most riding will be paved paths.

Looks like Gray or Green for a color choice.  Your vote?

[Bob Lovejoy]

I don't know the odds, but if you tell people your city/town/basic region, it could be there might be one near you, either owned or for sale, that you could test ride.  It is just an idea but there are Clementine/L's out there and there is nothing like actually riding a bike before purchase.  That said, the Clem L's would have to be one of the most adaptable bikes out there.

An example of a shop that shows to have one (in silver/grilver)... A1 Cyclery in Indianapolis:

https://a1cyclery.com/product/rivendell-clem-smith-jr-l/

Good luck in the search and good work on identifying the Clem L as a great bike!

Bob  

[Zed Martinez]

I can't speak to the big frame, but having a PBH that was right on the cusp of the 45/52 sizes and having now owned both, I can say that if you prefer upright, one-or-two hand position, casual riding you'll be happy with the larger size. If you prefer a more energetic ride (which apparently I do), you'll need to size down. The size up with everything set to the minimum is a big, luxurious, spacey ride. The size down with everything raised up feels more much zippier and more 'at hand' if that makes sense.

-Zed in Indy, who rode a 52cm for 2 years thinking he had an 80cm PBH but now rides a 45cm because maybe that PBH is actually 76, and really understands the indecision of being right at the edge of two sizes (A1 is a great shop, my second Clem frame was through them) 

[Adam Leibow]

I just got a 59 in green and it's really good. My pbh is 87.5cm. here's a pic that shows saddle height:

The strap of the saddle bag might make the exposed seatpost look shorter. 

The green is a great color. I've seen Grant's 59 in grilver and it's really good, too. A tough choice for sure. If you are going to be riding paved only, definitely consider these compass antelope pass. they make the bike feel very fast. 

[Doug H.]

The lack of a horizontal bar takes PBH somewhat out of the equation. I called and talked to Grant and he recommended the 59 for me...a self-measured 83 PBH. He was skeptical of my measurement and said I’d probably be an 85. I like some flexibility in seat post height and on a 59 I think it would be jammed all the way down. A test ride would be ideal but not in the cards for me currently. Good luck with your decision.
Doug

[RDS]

To those that have a clem ... when you are carrying a bottle in the bottle cage, does it get it the way when you stop or are straddling the bike?  Yeah, I'm kind of torn b/t the colors.  I live in Georgia, so very doubtful that a test ride is possible 

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 2:49:36 PM UTC-4, RDS wrote:

[Brad]

I ride a 59cm Clem L and my PBH is 88. The bike fits great, but there's not a lot of room to move the seat any lower.

The water bottle cage is well forward of the space I occupy when I'm straddling the bike.

Brad

Queens

[Christopher Wiggins]

If you ever find yourself near Indianapolis, I've got one here you could ride.

Chris

A1 Cyclery

Indianapolis IN

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 2:49:36 PM UTC-4, RDS wrote:

[James Davis]

I got a forest green Clem 59-L about a month ago (my PBH is 89). When I decide which bike to ride to work each morning, It has been giving my Atlantis a run for its money. Yes, I enjoy it that much. It’s a magical bike like all rivendells tend to be.

I have had no issues with the water bottle cage getting in the way when I stop and straddle the bike. That is likely because I typically stand over the lowest part of the swoop, closer to the saddle. However, even when I am leaning forward on my handle bars at stop lights, I have never become aware of the water bottle cage.

James

Denver, CO

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[RDS]

What is the wheelbase length (meaning the distance b/t where the two tires make ground contact) for the 59 Clem L.  I have to put my bike on a tray style bike rack to go somewhere to ride and now am wondering if it will fit or not. 

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 2:49:36 PM UTC-4, RDS wrote:

[Reed Kennedy]

Warning: Rough measure taken with two meter sticks and eyeballing the contact patches.

I got 125 cm. Maybe a touch over. Definitely less than 130 cm. 

Best,

Reed

--

[RDS]

That may be a little too long or have to strap it down really good. Or maybe a different rack

[tc]

Hey Adam, really nice looking Clem.  Would you share what stem and bar you're using, and your saddle height in that pic?

Thanks,

Tom

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 6:59:47 PM UTC-4, Adam Leibow wrote:

I just got a 59 in green and it's really good. My pbh is 87.5cm....

[tc]

I know from experience that a 59 Clem will fit just fine on a 1-up rack.

Tom

[Garth]

FWIW, You can get a more accurate measurement of wheelbase measuring c-c @ the quick release centers. 

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 7:43:06 AM UTC-4, RDS wrote:

[Kiley Demond]

My thought is to go smaller if your upper body is proportional to your PBH. I have a PBH of 91, but I am only 5'10" (not proportional) and those are big steel bikes! In some ways, I lack the upper body strength (I am a woman) to really handle a bike of this weight. 'RDS' doesn't tell me your gender;-). The additional length of the larger frame is great for stability which at least for now isn't as important when on a paved roads. The fact that it is step-thru is what allows people to over-size on that frame, but it has to be for a good reason. As for color, it doesn't matter if orange isn't an option;-).

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 11:49:36 AM UTC-7, RDS wrote:

[DadDadDaddio]

I ride a green Clem L 59. I have no idea what my PBH is, but I'm 5'9" and it fits fine. I've been in too-small frames before and decided to go big this time with the bail out being the step through frame. It's perfect for me; the big frame rides/handles better than any medium size frame I've ever owned, and the Clem package overall just feels like a much more expensive bike. I'm extremely happy with it. I don't bother with a water bottle cage; I have a tube sack on the handlebars and a basket on the rear wheel rack; I throw my water bottle in one of those, and drink when I'm stopped for a break. The green is beautiful in person, especially on a sunny day. I added a Brooks B67 saddle and RIV's MKS Grip King pedals to mine ... both are terrific.

Some observations that may help you down the road. 

1. The 59 frame is larger is almost every dimension ... it's not just "taller." That means the frame is wider in the chain stay/rear fork area. The Clem rack fits fine but you have to mount the rack's support stays to the outside of the rack to attach to the frame without tension. This makes the pannier bars a little awkward to mount. I think they could be ganged on the outside of the support stays using longer screws, but they look funny hanging out there.
2. Because of the wider rear frame, the frame lock sold by RIV doesn't fit the frame's mounting screws without widening the frame lock's slotted mounting holes. The slots are designed to allow the lock to fit a variety of frame widths, but it doesn't go quite wide enough to handle the Clem 59. Its an easy job to widen the frame-lock's slotted holes using a Dremel/grinder bit, but its a surprise when you first dry fit the lock and things don't line up.
3. The kickstand that comes with the 59 is way to short to handle the bike. I've changed out the stock kickstand for a Pletscher I could cut to the correct length.

For me, the Clem was the perfect choice. I ride paved trails and light desert trails (no mountain climbing or rock hopping) and its very easy to ride and comfortable on either. Good luck with your decision!

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 1:49:36 PM UTC-5, RDS wrote:

[Doug H.]

Which bars do you have on your Clem L DadDadDaddio? I have considered this bike as well and am waffling back and forth between the 52 and 59. I’m close to your same height and have a 83 PBH. Are you stretched out at all on it to reach the bars?
Thanks,
Doug

[Matt Argomaniz]

If this helps anyone, I'm 5'11, 85 PBH, and the 52 Clem L was just right for me. As some others have already noted, a 59 would work too but the seat post would be quite low.

Tire size can also be a deciding factor, since the 59 jumps up to 700c. So if you have some pretty 700c wheels you're dying to use, that could be a point for the 59.

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 11:49:36 AM UTC-7, RDS wrote:

[DadDadDaddio]

The standard Nitto bosco bars that came with the bike from Riv with cork grips. No stretch whatsoever to the grip positions, which is where my hands are 100% of the time. Very comfortable position. I had to fiddle with the seat fore/aft position and handlebar angle but once I found the right combo its been great.

[DadDadDaddio]

I might add that you should talk with someone at RIV if you are on the bubble. That's where I was too, and after speaking with Will who assured me the 59 was the way to go, I pulled the trigger. And he was right ... go figure ... the guys who do it for a living are the best resource out there.

[Adam Leibow]

@ tc responding to your oct 13 message:

thank you! saddle height is 76cm (roughly 11cm lower than pbh). I am using an 80mm Nitto UI-12 stem (which is a quill stem with 31.8mm clamp and an open/removable faceplate) and Sycip JJJ bars (which are similar to Map Ahearne in shape/sweep but slightly wider and with a larger 31.8mm clamp). The reach is perfect for me. I'm 5'-9" with long legs for my height. 

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 11:49:36 AM UTC-7, RDS wrote: