Not these two Clems - the H is a first generation model, which was shorter AND it’s a 52. On Aug 9, 2023, at 12:14 PM, Kim H. <krhet...@gmail.com> wrote:
@
Jonathan
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Does the Clem H and the Clem L have the same wheelbase or not ?
I know my Clem L from the outer length from end to end of the wheels measures close to 80" long. Too long for a bike rack for a transit bus is my belief.
Kim Hetzel Yelm, WA.
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 7:36:47 AM UTC-7 Johnny Alien wrote:
I mean the fallback is to take the smaller Clem H. It will be easier to get onto public transport bike racks and be easier to slot into a dorm at night too. The choice doesn't have to be Clem L or total beater. That Clem H is a killer bike that has slightly less sentimental value if it happens to get stolen. If it doesn't then he knows he can go with the bigger one the next semester.
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 9:58:42 AM UTC-4 Curtis wrote:
If this is a question of bicycle happiness level (BHL)for a first year college student we may be spending more energy on this than we should. Difficult to judge the BHL for an 18 y.o. when we are looking at this through our rose or not so rose colored glasses. Who is to say the student on the 100 dollar "beater" has a different BHL compared to the student on the 2500 dollar bicycle? Perhaps only the rider knows.
Perhaps we should hope that the student is indifferent about the bicycle they ride and are focused on the task at hand.
If this bicycle and not that bicycle makes the student happier at college then pick this bicycle.
Peace, Curtis
Wow, this thread has generated a lot of response, and I’ve enjoyed reading every post. It’s such a shame we have to go to extremes to avoid bike theft - carrying heavy u-locks, being so choosy about parking and locking, replacing parts, making the bike ugly, choosing to ride an undesirable bike so we can preserve our desirable bike…
Then there’s the other variable - how careful is the kid going to be with the bike? Well, bikes are not precious to him. He likes his bike, sees beauty and usefulness in it, but please do not bore him with too many details about it. I don’t think he will worry about it like I would; and that may lead to carelessness that gets his bike stolen. But also, he has the Mr. Magoo-like quality of walking through life blissfully unaware of the evil that lurks around every corner and arriving unscathed at his destination.
The campus in question does not have a lot of bike pirates roaming about, although yes, I know they exist everywhere. But they are not prolific on this particular campus. I’m still undecided about what bike to send, but any bike that goes with him will get skewers that are locked and nuts that prevent the theft of stem, saddle and seat post. Hexlox makes all these products, if anyone is wondering. We’ll have good u-locks, too.
And thanks to Jim for the mention of coverage under homeowners’ insurance. I’ll be looking into that for sure. Leah
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 7:04:07 PM UTC-4 nlerner wrote:
Similar to Mackenzy, I’ve been bike commuting to college campuses for many decades, the last 30 of which have been in the Boston area. I’ve never had a bike stolen likely because (1) I use a decent lock and (2) never park it outside overnight. I have colleagues who would never leave their bikes outside at all and schlep them up to their offices, navigating too small elevators and lots of doorways, but I’ve never seen the need. Sure, bikes get stolen around here all the time, but I’m convinced those are the ones easiest to steal, e.g., unlocked on a porch or in a backyard or part of a larger home break in.
Now that doesn’t mean I necessarily endorse bringing the Clem to college as it will likely get thoroughly trashed from daily wear and tear (bike racks are not bike-friendly spaces). But I’m also always looking for an excuse to build up a commuter for colleagues.
Neal Lerner Brookline MA
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 5:07:52 PM UTC-4 Mackenzy Albright wrote:
I'm amazed at the amount of discouragement of use of the Clem as a college commuting bike.
I've worked at universities a good chunk of my life and commuted with high(er) end bikes and never had any issues. I like riding nice bikes - which is why I own them. I've parked in high foot traffic zones (in front of libraries, security, etc.) or bring my bike inside ( absolute in downtown Vancouver) when possible or parking my bike is in eyesight (outside my old office at a bike rack in UVIC). Just the standard back wheel lock with cable around the front wheel. Nothing fancy. (no QR seat) Never ever ever leave them parked over night. I always avoid dark or hidden area's, especially near residence halls or maintenance buildings. Granted - some universities and colleges are more sketchy than others. I've found eventually other cyclists with nice or similar bikes will start parking around you. It's a little heartwarming. My biggest issue is the occasional bike jammer - which leads to fender misalignment or dents. Scratches etc. It's the life of a bike.
I am of the opinion have a wonderful bike to have a wonderful ride everyday not to hide in the garage. On the counterpoint - if one is going to be riding to the bars or parties or potential overnight parking...this is where the shenanigans will happen. It could be good having a "bar hopper" single speed or something of the sort if biking is desired in these situations.
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 1:50:41 PM UTC-7 Ian A wrote:
Have you considered a Brompton for a college bike? The folding nature of it means it can always be safely inside with your son.
IanA Alberta Canada On Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 8:54:39 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
It nearly kills me to say it, but my older son will be heading to college in a year. Freshman aren’t to bring cars to campus, so that leaves buses, bikes, and your own two feet for transportation. My boys have grown up riding Clem Hs; this son rides a 52 cm cast-off from my husband (who doesn’t ride, sigh).
My 6’3” Dad had a blue 59 cm Clem on order when he died suddenly in 2020, and his blue Clem has sat, boxed, waiting for my boy to grow into it. I lugged the gargantuan box up from the basement last week to see how if the bike would fit. “Now that I’ve obtained optimal height,” my son is fond of saying…
Anyway, he’s 6’1” now (likely still growing) and I need him to decide if he wants to stick with his old Clem H (that he was fond of) or settle into this Clem L. Because whichever bike he chooses is getting new wheels, dyno and fenders and going to college with him. At first he was opposed to the idea of a new Clem; he liked his old Clem, thought it looked cool. But after the - as he calls it - Big Bike was assembled, he really began to like it. “It looks elegant,” he said. It really does, all long and lithe, in blue and silver. He put his saddle and bags on the bike and we test rode it tonight. He said, “I am really liking the Big Bike. I like that my knees don’t have anything to hit (geez, were his knees hitting his bars?!) and it looks elegant. It feels more at home now that I have my old saddle on it.”
I have mixed feelings about sending him to college with this bike, because it’s so nice. I also doubt he’ll be able to get it on a bus bike rack - and I have no idea how often he will want to do that. His bike life is totally unknown at this point. All I know is that I’m getting him dyno because the kid has never remembered to charge a light in his LIFE and I will not sleep at night without it.The 52 takes 650b wheels and the 59 takes 700c, so I don’t want to buy the wheels until I know which bike he really wants. But as of now, he wants his new bike.
I know people will say we should just get a beater. I know why that would be advisable, but I also hate to think of a Clem languishing when it could be serving a noble purpose. I’d love for him and his Clem to journey through undergrad together.
I am wondering…has anyone gone to college or sent their kid to college with a Clem? What do you have to say about it? Photos in the next post… Leah
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