Rivendell Clem Smith Jr. L, it's all the way live

[hummus_aquinas]

I've observed that if you're deep enough into this bike thing you eventually find yourself on a Rivendell and this week was my moment.
Although deep in a tecate tall can weed haze I remember being on a CRANK MOB (RIP EDDIEBOYINLA) over a decade ago and seeing someone on the biggest, most upright, chill-barred, aqua green mountain bike (Atlantis). Mf was in spd sandals and it blew my mind. Over the years I found myself building 26" rigid mtb conversions, upright bars, drops, but never stepped to an actual Rivendell until recently. My mate let me ride his new Clem L and I had to have one.
The bike is LONG but the handling is surprisingly nimble and responsive. I took it for a shakedown ride and it really shines off road. With super low gearing you just chug and spin along, smiling your ass off at Mullholland dirt roadies as they blast by. It feels like riding around in an old Buick and you're listening to the intro to Lakeside - It's All the Way Live over and over.

[phoenix]

Ohhhhh, dis’ you!

So chiiiiillll...

There’s no life like that Riv life! Congrats man.

[moshmosh]

That is some wheelbase right there!!

2 Chainz required? lol

Congrats on the new sled! Looks like a dreamy ride.

[clyde the point]

Thanks for getting my bro on a bike. And you and I would hang for sure. My wife and I cemented our relationship on the "crash canyon" trail off Laurel Canyon riding our rigid late 80's mtb's through car carcasses that had tumbled off Mulholland. All the way through to tree people. Back down Coldwater to I Martin Imports to work a 6 hour Sunday shift. Great memories. My Mountain Goat Whiskeytown and she on her XT Univega! With U brake.

[R3awak3n]

this looks wonderful, the right way to enjoy bike life if you ask me.

[72gmc]

Neat-o.

Like the bars? Love the bars? I’m looking for upright bars for an experiment.

[v531xc]

this is awesome. I love the way these Clems look. You mentioned dirt Mulholland, and I just moved to the area. Maybe I'll see you around!

[hummus_aquinas]

Thanks for the kind words, everybody! I'm still very stoked on this bike.
I do like the positioning on the bars although there is potential for slippage at the handlebar clamp; I have to be more mindful when handling the bike in rough terrain, light at the hands as not to slam the bars down. I'm going to test out a MAP bar on a shorter stem soon but if I were keeping the Bosco setup I'd invest in a four-bolt type stem.

Clyde!- You're the real deal, man! I love to hear people's stories about early LA and early Mullholland Drive sounds fascinating.
v531xc- welcome to LA!

RARE OLDIES - im a fool for you

[moshmosh]

How is the climbing on the Clem?

Curious about those long chainstays on mellow singletrack.

Asking for a friend.

[hummus_aquinas]

Climbing feels natural enough but it's not something you get out of the saddle for. You have to trust in your low gearing and just hang out and spin and think about whatevs. How about Shakewell - Late Night?
Anyway, I was noticing that after a bar + stem swap the bike feels very similar to riding my modern 29" big bike. Pretty cool!

Originally Posted by moshmosh

How is the climbing on the Clem?

Curious about those long chainstays on mellow singletrack.

Asking for a friend.

MAP Ahearne bars + shorty Nitto Technotronic + spaghetti:

[72gmc]

Nice work. Looks like your stem is about half of the extension you used with the Boscos?

[robt57]

Cable housing lengths a bit generous maybe?

Very Cool Steed/Indeed!!

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by robt57

Cable housing lengths a bit generous maybe?

Looks like set the length according to max stem extension. Forethought. Because you never know.

Fun rig. I use to have a similar sort of rig and wish I had one now for my dad bike.

[d_douglas]

That landscape look fun and dusty. So NOT like where I live!!

[72gmc]

Who doesn't like spaghetti?