On Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 2:11:06 AM UTC-5 iamkeith wrote: Like Tim, I got an early Clem, thinking it would be an updated, proper-fitting version of an analog 80s or 90s mountain bike - because that's how it was initially concieved and described by Grant. But I admittedly struggled on trails, just as you describe. So it kind of morphed into something else, for other kinds of riding.
I too had the same Clem origin story. I had always wanted a Riv but couldn't afford one at the time while I was daily riding, touring, and offroading an my '90 Fisher MTB. When the Clem was announced I was over the moon, it sounded like it was designed just for me and the lower price point meant I could stop dreaming of falling into some money to buy a Hunq and get my first Riv. I think it's unfortunate that it was designed around the Bosco bars which made it impossible for me to get a good fit with less aggressively upright bars, and soon found out the extra long chainstays made it a chore to lift the front end even enough to clear sharp tree roots. With the Clem not being up to off-road duty where I live I picked up a Jones Plus LWB to hit the trails on and what a revelation. Similar wheelbase length but it's the front center that is extended rather than the rear triangle, so the bike felt incredibly nimble and handled fantastically. Really smart design. Unfortunately I had to sell a bike to free up some funds and chose the Jones over the Clem which I regret. I also wish that not every Riv model had growing chainstays. I still daydream of owning a beautiful lugged Riv that I could ride forever, I understand and appreciate their drive to innovate and embrace change, and know that change is the only real constant, but it's not always for the better. -- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/3d7bc671-7dfa-488e-8e89-6536c072bd4en%40googlegroups.com.
