Re: [RBW] Re: Economical Clem

Back when I was still working in an office across town, I found myself commuting on beaters while my 2003 custom Road hung on the wall (I also had the 1999 custom Road). In 2006 I had Dave Porter de-derailleur it for use as a fixed gear commuter, and that has been the bike's role ever since. The

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

What's amusing about the "what if I scratch my nice Riv" worries is this project didn't start as a nice Riv. It was supposed to come in a flat black you could easily rattlecan now and again to cover scratches, but somewhere along the line they chickened out and made it pretty!  -- You

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

I just bought my son an Appaloosa on closeout from one of Riv's dealers. The bike absolutely rocks. And I was skeptical at first. I have a Toyo era Atlantis, so the notion of Choco-Moose bars and really long chainstays did not resonate. I was so wrong. The moose bars are terrific, the long

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

I encourage everyone to get a Riv for a commuter bike...and not to worry about a few scratches. I bought my SimpleOne as a commuter for center city Philadelphia. Having gone through a number of cheap bikes that "I wouldn't be afraid to lock up," I found that I hated riding them. They were

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

This thread ties in well with some thinking I'd been doing along the same lines. I was originally going to build up a 90s MTB as a townie/errand runner/occasional overnighter/occasional dirt road, double track, or light single track excursion, then started thinking I'd get a Surly Troll

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

With respect to "osmotic equilibrium" and "bike density," is there a formula that helps define or establish the relative density of an individual bike? The usual equation of *"Desired/Necessary Bike Quantity being N+1"* seems to assume that all bikes have a uniform "value." Or that the space

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

Julian I call that state: "osmotic equilibrium". When the density of bikes inside your shed is too high, then the increased bike pressure tends to push bikes out. When the density in your shed it too low, it's natural that bikes flow into your shed. When you've reached osmotic equilibrium,

Re: [RBW] Re: Economical Clem

In my experience , the stock Clem build has a number of parts that I disagreed with: the saddle was physically painful after less than a mile, I didn't like the bars or shifters, and the tires were the worst I've ever used.

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

I've purchased an obscene number of old mtbs off Craigslist, and have had lots of fun turning them into something ridable and cool. That said, may Allah smite me if I ever go down that black hole you pour money into again. A Clem is a better bike and a better deal every time. -- You received

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

Bill, A friend gifted me a complete, fairly good 1989 Team Stumpumper (Prestige tubing, all XT) a couple of weeks ago. It was hanging in his garage and it is now hanging in my bike shed as I mull what to do with it... That part is always fun! :) Julian "the last month was N-2 but also

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

I completely agree. I think it needs to be a Clem. The search is on. Thanks for the encouragement. On Friday, June 21, 2019 at 7:26:49 PM UTC-4, Eric Karnes wrote: > > Not that another 'I agree' is needed, but...I agree. > > If your friend is willing to keep it fairly stock and is under

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

Not that another 'I agree' is needed, but...I agree. If your friend is willing to keep it fairly stock and is under 5'10" (those 80s and 90s Specialized mountain bikes were not designed for taller riders), an old Rockhopper might do the job nicely. They were really wonderful bikes. But as

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

"Grandpa, tell us that story about why you put polished Racers and a TA Carmina on that rusty old bike you never ride!" "Sit back, kids. It was a garage sale like any other when I first swiped the greasy grime off that too-short seat tube and read those magic words: HI-TEN..." Jeff Hagedorn

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

That's a great find. Why was the owner willing to give it away? Bill Lindsay El Cerrito, CA On Friday, June 21, 2019 at 3:20:19 PM UTC-7, Adam Leibow wrote: > > i found a free stumpjumper complete at brannan and 4th last week. > > On Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 7:44:29 PM UTC-7, Friend

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

i found a free stumpjumper complete at brannan and 4th last week. On Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 7:44:29 PM UTC-7, Friend wrote: > > My friend is in search of a new bike. Everything she describes screams > CLEM to me. Touring capable. Big tire clearance. Upright. Potentially >

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

(swap the bars to boscos, add fenders, brooks saddle, basket+racks, schwalbe fat tires). done deal for easily under $600. Bosco bars are $70 All new cables/housing and grips $40 Fenders $50 Brooks saddle $120 basket $20 Racks $100 - $300 Schwalbe fat tires $90 If you are a bike mechanic and

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

if you are trying to do this super budget, find an old fully rigid complete stumpjumper or rockhopper from the early 90s, add the riv accoutrements, (swap the bars to boscos, add fenders, brooks saddle, basket+racks, schwalbe fat tires). done deal for easily under $600. alternatively, find a

Re: [RBW] Re: Economical Clem

I'm in this camp. I looked longingly at Rivs and bought a Surly instead. I spent more money converting it to 650b to get the wider tires, but (obviously) still not a Riv. I finally bought a Riv and haven't looked back. My brother in law did the same thing. Ditched the Surly for the Riv Sam

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

Amen, brother. Tom -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

Old family friend used to say: "We're not rich enough to buy cheap things." - Max On Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 5:44:29 AM UTC+3, Friend wrote: > > My friend is in search of a new bike. Everything she describes screams > CLEM to me. Touring capable. Big tire clearance. Upright.

[RBW] Re: Economical Clem

Most everyone on this group could tell the story about how they knew Bike X was the right bike for them, but they couldn't afford it. They searched for Bike Y which was almost as good and half the price. Then they upgrade, fix, enhance Bike Y to get it closer to what Bike X would have been.