How I came to own, and enjoy, a Clem Smith Jr
LeRoy
This is my first post and follows the initial shakedown ride on my new-to-me second-hand Clem Smith Jr. I'll make the short story long. I returned to cycling three years ago after a 20-year hiatus. I haven’t really been an avid cyclist since my twenties and that period is about 40 years in the rearview mirror.
On returning to cycling I dusted off and gave a mechanical once-over to a 25 year old Kettler Alu-Rad, a bike I bought new in 1991 while living in Germany. The Kettler is an aluminum-framed German bike fitted out as what would probably be called a hybrid today. Its geometry is early ’90s mountain bike style but, following the German norms, it’s a fully-fendered bike with lights, generator, rear rack, spare spokes and another kilo or two of paraphernalia. So much for the lightness of an aluminum frame. As I rode the Kettler at this stage of life, it became clear that it was no longer the bike for me. The wheelbase is quite short, the fork rake somewhat steep and the whole bike rides in a twitchy and jarring fashion. I knew within a few months of returning to cycling that a new bike was in order. The search commenced.The first good move that I made was not to buy anything the first year, or the second. It took me that long to get reacquainted with what’s on the market these days. I didn’t really know what would suit my riding style and anticipated future uses. As things developed, I found myself turning away from the mountain bike look and configuration. What I mean by that is the more I looked, the more I found that things like flat bars, front suspension, aluminum frames and the latest whizz-bangery didn’t seem to add much to the riding I was doing. Plus, I don’t look good in lycra – not that there’s anything wrong with the look, just not on me!
I stumbled across Brooklyn bikes one day and found the style interesting but the overall presentation a little too hipster-ish. However, the brochure and website both referenced Grant Peterson and Rivendell for their guidance. That brought me to the rivbike site. I spent a year or so getting acquainted with the product line. So much for the preamble.
Ultimately I began looking for a used Clem Smith Jr in the 52 or 59 size. The drivers of this focus were budgetary, the Clem’s general versatility, the ability to fit wide tires and various styles of racks, and the expected benefits of an improved ride and more upright seating position. However, I didn’t want to make an expensive mistake. Hence a search among used bikes.
Since Rivendell bikes are thin on the ground here in southeast Michigan, I used a search function to scan Craigslist nationwide. On a side note, had I found this RBW Owners Bunch sooner, I’d likely also have found a Clem sooner. I eventually found the bike I bought in New Jersey, conveniently close-ish to my brother’s place in Delaware. On a recent trip there I looked at and bought what I understand is a first generation Clem 59: green frame and swept rear seat stays are among its tell-tales. The bike included fenders, front and rear Soma racks, Clem pedals, Schwalbe Big Apple tires and a generic saddle. Overall it’s a very good-looking combination.
On reassembling the bike at home (extensive disassembly is necessary to fit a Clem 59 into a Jeep Renegade with three fellows and luggage on board) I was glad that this required going over the bike pretty extensively. As I got it, the bike was in overall good shape. However, I found some buggered threads in a few braze-ons, a tie-wrap where a bolt would have been better on the rear fender installation, and one really horrifying use of a self-tapping metal screw used in a stripped braze-on. That one had me cursing a previous owner’s butchery. Chasing the threads and enlarging a few from M5 to M6 threads cured the issues. Everything went back together in a sound and solid fashion.
So, what about my first impressions after the shakedown ride? It’s a delight! My chief point of comparison is the overly stiff and compact Kettler described above. The Clem is a whole different ride and much the better for its differences. First, the wheelbase is nearly 8 inches longer and the Clem’s seating position is well forward of the rear wheel. As a result, feedback from the road, bumps and thumps are all muted due both to the geometry and the damping characteristic of the steel frame. The 29-inch wheels and Schwalbe tires add an easy-rolling feel compared to the 26-inch wheels and ancient Continental Town and Country tires on the Kettler. The upright seating position and Bosco bars redistribute my weight such that my hands are more naturally-positioned and are carrying less load. In the course of an eight-mile ride I had none of the wrist fatigue and finger numbness that the Kettler’s flat bars and leaning-forward riding position often cause. So, on the comfort scale, it’s all positive marks. I will probably transfer my Brooks C19 Cambium saddle to the Clem and it does need new grips that will be both longer and larger diameter.
I did have some doubts about the 2x8 gearing that ready-made Clem’s come with. While it’s pretty flat in this part of the world, some of the trails offer a range of hills and challenges. And part of me comes from the more-is-better school of gearing. But so far I’m leaning toward liking the setup. Time will tell how it works as the miles add up.
Are there any misgivings? Perhaps one. I’m at the lower end of body types for the 59 size. The bike feels and responds great while I’m aboard. But a 52 frame (or a 59 Clem L!) might have been a better fit. That being said, 52s and 59 Clem Ls weren’t on the Craigslist menu during the time I was looking. The chief challenge that the 59 presents me is swinging my leg over the saddle to get on and off. Perhaps I’ll just have to work on my dexterity.
To sum it up I’ll just say that the bike fully lives up to my expectations – and in a few ways it already exceeds them. Tomorrow morning I’ll be off on a weekly 25-mile ride with a local group. It will be very interesting to see how well I do on the Clem. The Kettler served me well with this group and ride style but I bet the Clem will work better yet. Thanks for your indulgence as I ramble on, and on…
LeRoy
Abcyclehank
Welcome to the group. Great story and not to long since it answers most questions readers would have had with a more concise story.
Alway glad to add another RBW rider to the mitten state.
Sincerely,
Ryan Hankinson
West Michigan
Jacob
blakcloud
Wayne Naha
Jonathan D.
Virgil Staphbeard
WETH
Erl
Kensington, MD
LeRoy
Pondero
Deacon Patrick
With abandon,
Patrick