You've asked a difficult question, because it sounds like you aren't quite comfortable on your Clem. For me, that means that your picture could be indicative of a lot of different things, not all of which would be fixed by a change in bike size. It's easier to see a bike that's been made comfortable for a rider but has a particularly long, short or high stem/saddle, and consider how the bike could be made more comfortable.
It might be worth trying to dial the fit that works for your body first, and then decide which size and model of frame best aligns. Little things make a big difference for me in fit, such as raise or lowering bars and my seat 2-3mm at.a time. Adjust stem reach and saddle setback bit by bit, along with their angles. Once you get that all dialed in through trial and error and perhaps reader up here and elsewhere on fit, it might be clear what frame optimizes the fit your want. Having lived in Chicago for many years previously, I think it's a location that demands a good fit because the lack of hills means you tend to ride in the same position all the time. I hope that helps and doesn't feel like a dodge. Best, Zach in ABQ On Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 7:16:15 PM UTC-6 [email protected] wrote: > @David, > > "One thing thing to add is that you don’t really need a setback seatpost > on any Rivendell due to the slack seatpost tube." > > Au contrairie, I own 52cm Clem Smith Jr. "L" bicycle, I have a long torso > and short limbs. This bicycle fits and suits all of my needs with Nitto > Bosco bars. I have a Sakae Ringyo MTE-100 seatpost on it, This adds a lot > more comfort and allows me to sit further back onto the rear wheel and not > directly over the BB. Everyone has a different body and customizes their > bikes to fit their body portions for comfort. > > Kim Hetzel. > > > > > > On Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 4:40 PM David Ross <[email protected]> wrote: > >> The bike looks like it fits to me, and well within the range that the >> contact points can be made to work. One thing thing to add is that you >> don’t really need a setback seatpost on any Rivendell due to the slack >> seatpost tube. You’ll be able to move the saddle forward approximately an >> inch with a straight post. Just an idea. Otherwise, you’ll need to >> experiment with different stem/bar combos. You can get really close by >> measuring where you want your hands to be and then backing into it. >> >> On Sun, Mar 29, 2026 at 1:11 PM Richard Rose <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I am not certain what the question here is? That Clem looks well sorted >>> fit wise. Appropriate(?) amount of seat post showing with room to adjust in >>> either direction. So the frame size seems good vertically at least? I am >>> not a fan of PBH sizing. I know my saddle height, my preferred barometer. >>> Further, I am not sure what relationship there might be between PBH or >>> saddle height & reach? >>> I am 5’10” tall. My saddle height is 72.5cm. I ride a 52 Clem L with a >>> 130mm FacePlater stem & 580 wide Bosco. I also ride a 57 Gus with a 35mm >>> stem with a 785 wide, much less swept back (Albacore) bar. Contact points >>> are nearly identical on both bikes with the exception of bar width. I guess >>> my thought is if the saddle is right all else can be fine tuned via bar & >>> stem. That said, I am no fit expert. >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Mar 29, 2026, at 12:35 PM, Joe Alter <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> Hi all, >>> >>> I'm writing to you from the Roscoe Village neighborhood in Chicago. >>> >>> I'm joining the group to learn more about how others are sizing their >>> rigs. As much as I love the Clem, I’m starting to suspect I might be a >>> better fit for a 50cm (I'm 5'6" with a shorter torso), so I’m looking >>> forward to reading through the archives here regarding PBH and reach. >>> >>> Best regards, >>> >>> Joe >>> >>> >>> <IMG_5456.jpeg> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e526d4f6-2fc3-4bde-a21c-62c488a83545n%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e526d4f6-2fc3-4bde-a21c-62c488a83545n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> <IMG_5456.jpeg> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/DAFC338C-F090-4E28-BF41-F468ACECDBC7%40gmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/DAFC338C-F090-4E28-BF41-F468ACECDBC7%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> > To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CADA0aDdvDaF-Mhxeb5QfkC-cZ3haoAkuP%3D9wJy8mxFHCzz2%3DMA%40mail.gmail.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CADA0aDdvDaF-Mhxeb5QfkC-cZ3haoAkuP%3D9wJy8mxFHCzz2%3DMA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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