My experience on my Clem is quite the opposite of Garth’s. I do understand that my situation may be unique but it is what it is. 45 degree forward simply does not work for me. Bolt upright is the only way I can achieve a no numb hands position. Going into the wind I will assume a more forward leaning position but I cannot stay there very long. Numbness is almost immediately. I ride my Clem for hours with virtually no weight on my hands. And yes, my saddle is in the perfect vertical & horizontal position relative to the bottom bracket. I have ridden in this position, Bosco’s 2”-3” above saddle height, for 2 years & over 7,000 miles. No numb hands.
Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 5, 2024, at 9:24 AM, Garth <garth...@gmail.com> wrote:

An Albatoross is best for being in a forward, say 45d angle in a swept back style bar. If you use reverse Tektro brake levers, tape the bar up to and just around the top bend, then put thumbshiters there, that's about a "racey upright" as one can get using 45d body position as a base. All the other swept back bars, with regular MTB levers and grips at the ends, is just all wrong for what I'm referring to as the bars come back too far, requiring more weight on the arms and hands. When you lean forward, with proper forward seat placement in relation to the BB so you're using your legs and core to support yourself(not unlike riding a unicycle), having your arms extended forward exerts less pressure on the arms and hands. I think shallow, wide flared drop bars could also work if more hand positions are desired. 

On Friday, April 5, 2024 at 9:02:00 AM UTC-4 Johnny Alien wrote:
Note when choosing stem (as I see a Faceplater was suggested), the smaller sizes have headtubes that don't go very deep. I face this on the 50-52 sizes. Those SUPER tall stems that Rivendell sells will not go very far in and thus you are forced to have a ton of stem exposed. Couple that with a bar like the Bosco and you will be way way way up with no way to get it lower. Pick up a stem that does not have the super long lengths. Go short even if you have any uprise to it or are planning to use handlebars that also have height. 

The losco bars are my favorite bars and perfect for a racy upright mix. Also they are the best looking bars that Riv sells (IMO)

On Friday, April 5, 2024 at 8:48:53 AM UTC-4 Igor wrote:
This is a 2023 45cm Clem.

 I'm looking at putting her in a somewhat middle between racy and upright. Bosco could work for that I imagine, with the shifters and levers further up and gives her options. 
Alternatively was thinking Losco could be good, too.  Might have her try the Vegan saddle as well.

On Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5:06:06 AM UTC-4 John Johnson wrote:
Hi Igor,

For a 5'2" rider (I'm not going to assume it's for a lady or for your friend!), the 45cm Clem is perfect. Obviously there is no "objective" right answer for which bars to use, and it's gonna depend on different factors (I know I'm not dropping any mind-blowing information, but just to lay the groundwork for my suggestions). 
I'd ask the following questions:
  • What year Clem is it? The older Clems had shorter top tubes (less reach) than the newer (2019 and post) models. 
  • What is the intended use? Tooling around, commuting, touring, mountain biking? 
  • How does the rider like to be positioned? Aggressive and racy? Upright and comfy? 
  • What is the rider's morphology? Long torso, short legs? Long legs, short torso? Normal legs, normal torso?
  • Are there aesthetic considerations? 
  • Are there cost considerations?
For me (an N of 1 - I am 5'8", longer torso with very short legs, for reference), I currently ride a Clem 45 L (longer reach 2019 model, but still with 26" wheels before the switch to 27.5") with a 70cm Nitto Tallux at the minimum insertion and 60cm Tosco bars and I couldn't be happier. My wife rides a Clem 45 L with Soma Oxford bars and I really like that set up too, but I find the Oxfords at 54cm (identical to Nitto Albatross) a tad bit narrow for my taste. I rode my pre-2019 Clem H with a Riv Bullmoose (67cm) and it was totally great - but I was running that bike single speed and as a dedicated mountain bike - I don't love the 30° sweep for longer rides (on longer rides, I want 45-60° sweep). I tried Boscos for a minute (I think it was the 54cm that came stock on my wife's Clem), but I felt almost cartoonishly upright and didn't feel connected enough with the bike. 

For your rider, at 5'2", I'm guessing you have a newer (post 2019 geo changes) Clem and it's likely they'll want swept back bars of some sort. I think the Albatross (or Soma Oxford) are perfect for the Clem  - right rise, sweep, width, and good looking to boot. The Toscos, like I mentioned, are great, but I'd opt for the 55cm model probably in your rider's case. Re: the Boscos, I'm a bit taller than your rider, so maybe Boscos would do the trick in their case. Lastly, if they don't want a relaxed position, you've got a billion options of flat or riser bars with minimal sweep, but I won't bother with recs. 



cheers,

John (outside Fontainebleau)


On Friday, April 5, 2024 at 6:36:58 AM UTC+2 Kim H. wrote:
@Igor -
I have a couple of Terry women's saddles that are lightly used to sell, if you are interested for your lady friend.



Contact me off this group for more details and pictures.

Kim Hetzel.

On Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 7:52:34 PM UTC-7 Richard Rose wrote:
A lot of nice bars to choose from. That said, the Bosco is perfect. The extra rise is great as it results in less stem exposed than with the Tosco. I suggest one of the three FacePlater stems makes life so much easier & the older tig welded one is currently on sale, I think. But, without the frame & handlebar at hand it’s guesswork at best regarding stem length. I am 5’10”, ride a 52 Clem with Bosco & 135 FacePlater. I do not know how much shorter the reach is on the 45, but I would guess a stem closer to 70-80? Call Riv & ask them, they give excellent advice. Or, try to get your hands n a few different (cheap) stems to try?
Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 4, 2024, at 9:28 PM, Igor <belopol...@gmail.com> wrote:

Any suggestions or ways to "know" what stem or bars to use? Not sure where to begin.

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