Which one to keep

[Ray Varella]

I’m curious how you guys would choose between two bikes you already have. 

I have a Clem and a Platypus, they are both very comfortable and extremely nice riding bikes. 

There’s so much overlap between them I don’t need both. 

I’m leaning towards the Clem because it will fit my niece better than the Platypus will. 

The Platypus is a really beautiful bike. 

I know some members have duplicates or multiples of bikes they like. 

How would you guys choose between the two?

Thank you 

Ray

[Hoch in ut]

Prioritize needs and wants. Then choose which bike meets most or all of them. 

If they both cover them all, then I’d go by looks. 

[Johnny Alien]

If they were full crossover for me and I could honestly use either one in all situations then I would take the one that I felt was the most comfortable or honestly which one I just felt looked better. I will say that if I was absolutely forced down to one Rivendell I think it would be the Clem.

[NYCbikeguy]

Having ridden both, I'd say that the clem may face some limitations when it comes to heavier loaded rides (that you may not be expecting or planning) because the flex on the frame is a lot more noticeable on the clem than the platy. 

[Chris Halasz]

Ray 

I think it was Sam Maloof who said that a chair should first and foremost invite the individual to come and sit. Rivendell bikes invite me to ride them, far more than any other bicycle manufacturer, and the ride, like Sam’s rocking chairs, always exceed my expectation of the invite. 

I’ve owned a number of Rivendell bikes (Road Standard, LongLow, Rambouillet, Bleriot, Bombadil, Sam, and a Platypus) and now a Clem. Clearly I like Rivendell bikes, and the mindset at Rivendell. 

I ride the Clem 99% on the road, around town, and typically on two extended rides each week. To me, the Clem is the zenith of the Rivendell experience. I feel like it kindly informs other cyclists that they don’t have to ride carbon frames, or skinny tires, or clipless pedals, or … to just enjoy their authenticity. To me, me, it’s the most authentic of the current Rivendell design. To me, it most inspires wabi-sabi and beausage. I won’t argue any of those points: my truth, maybe no one else’s. 

Is there one that is more inviting to you? 

Now, can you folks help me decide which color Montecito Pinto goes best with the Clem green in my driveway? I'm thinking of only keeping one. 

Cheers, 

Chris 

[Ray Varella]

I honestly think the Clem may inch ahead on comfort but not hugely so. 

I agree that the Clem is an exceptionally nice riding bike and I’ve been riding Rivendells for almost 25 years. 

I like them a lot and if I had more room I would likely have more of them. 

Chris, I have never had the pleasure to test ride a Sam Maloof chair but I spend several hours a day in one of my own and never want for anything more comfortable, I can’t help you with the car but bright orange compliments that lime olive paint nicely. 

Here’s my chair 

Thank you 

Ray

[Joe Bernard]

Hi Ray, 

As a fellow Riv Rider of a certain age with a sorta-mixte custom (Platy-ish design) and a Clem L, I would choose Clem. The stepover is lovely, the tire clearance grand, it doubles as a trail bike and just plain has character. To quote the good and great Leah Peterson, Clems are gems! 

Joe Bernard 

Lake County CA 

[Chris Halasz]

Ray

Very impressed with the chair! 

I've built a number of items in our home, more Thos. Moser 'shaker' style, but never a chair! 

As to the cars: We often ride through the San Ysidro Ranch on our bike rides, and there were a half dozen of those things in the lot. I think they're funny. Makes my back groan to think of getting in and out of one. But my back is very happy riding the Clem. 

- Chris 

On Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 1:56:13 PM UTC-7 Ray Varella wrote:

[Ray Varella]

Hey Joe,

They’re both great bikes but the Clems are kind of sleepers. You wouldn’t guess they ride as nice as they do just by looking. 

Chris, Thos Moser makes some really nice furniture. 

I’m going to build a tool chest to work out the construction details and then build a blanket chest. 

Chairs weren’t that difficult for me once I got over the handwringing. 

I use hand tools and a workbench that I built in my carport. 

The chair I showed was my third one and I’m really satisfied with the comfort. I gave the second to my neighbor and he loves it. 

I may end up keeping both bikes but the Clem is staying till my niece wants it. 

Cheers 

Ray

[Brian Forsee]

Chris,

at this risk of sending this thread off topic I'm going to ask for information about your over-the-helmet hat. Very cool!

Brian

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Clem vs Platypus: Which to keep.

This is a tough one because as we age that step-thru Clem feature is pretty nice. But the portability of the Platypus (Clems are so long!) and its lighter/lither frame are also not to be ignored. I prefer the ride of my Platypus, so I sold my Clem. But if you are thinking about growing old with your bike, maybe the Clem makes more sense.

[R A]

Chris, I've read a bunch of posts on this thread already about the Platypus vs the ClemSmithJr. All I am getting from the posts is that the ClemSmithJr can handle touring better in terms of carrying gear and that it has a longer wheelbase  whereas the Platypus will be lighter and zippier but fully capable. Having owned both are there any other descriptions you can add to both of these bikes. Would you be able to share how you narrowed down which one to keep.

Ray

[tio ryan]

Something I've come to appreciate about my Platypus is the mid-stay in the rear triangle. I reside in a 3rd floor walkup and often have to carry my bike up and down stairs. I utilize that middle stay quite regularly when lifting or carrying the bike. 

-tio 

[Bill Lindsay]

"I may end up keeping both bikes"

This is the correct path forward.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Richard Rose]

Interesting proposition Ray presents. In my case the choice would be between my Clem & Gus which would definitely be a Sophie’s Choice type thing. Chris puts into words better than I ever could my exact feelings toward my Clem. It is the bike I ride the most by a very wide margin. This alone should make the choice easy. But, my favorite thing to do on a bike is ride sinewy singletrack. I do not get to do so nearly as often as I would like. But when I do it’s positively blissful on Gus. Combined with the relative rareness of the fillet brazed Gus making a choice of which one to keep would hurt too much.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 16, 2024, at 11:51 PM, Ray Varella <rayvar...@gmail.com> wrote:

I’m curious how you guys would choose between two bikes you already have. 

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[Chris Halasz]

Brian 

the over-the-helmet straw hat is from a place called Bike Pretty. I found better prices on other sites! 

I removed the black ribbon from mine; my wife kept it on hers. We both love them! 

- Chris 

[Chris Halasz]

Ray 

A few details I've experienced: 

I prefer the step-through clearance on the Clem. 

I could not bear scratching the Platy, the most beautiful bike I've ever owned. Probably just me, but I'm OK if the Clem gathers a little character, or a lot of character. It's just a grab it and go experience for me. 

I really like Tosco bars, and I think they look better with the Clem than with the Platy. 

I did not like the appearance of larger tires on the Platy, and think they look fine on the Clem, although I don't ride tires wider than 43mm. 

I can't really speak to the lightness of the Platy ... a little dog traveled with me everywhere I went on the Platy. So, with front rack, basket, and little dog, that bike was fifteen pounds heavier in the front. Note also that I ride the 64cm Clem, and wonder if its tubing is the same as the smaller Clems? I know the seat post is larger. 

I was stopped more often, and received more compliments on the Platy, but I still get a lot of compliments on the Clem. Got another one today. 

Finally: I do miss the Platy, but think the Clem is more me! 

- Chris 

[Ray Varella]

A nod to Bill “the enabler” Lindsay  

Chris, I’ve been riding both and I’d be fine with either one but if forced to choose, I would keep the Clem for a lot of the same reasons you outlined. 

I need to work on bike storage as much as anything. 

Ray