Hi Everyone! Sorry for this long first post, I hope you can help me navigate stepping into the Rivendell universe in a rational way.
I'm just getting back into cycling again after a long absence. Previously I lead a no-car-multi-bike lifestyle for over a decade. I'm drawn towards the Clem Smith Jr. – the accounts I've read here range from something like riding Falcor through time and space to an existential crisis from owning 'The Cadillac of Bicycles'. My main mode of transportation was previously a Bilenky cargo bike <https://metaefficient.com/wp-content/uploads/bilenky-cargo-bike1.jpg>. I loved/miss the upright posture and extra long wheelbase hence my interest in the Clem. I live in a small Philly row house with some challenges (I did not have the Bilenky at this house): - To get into my house I have to get the bike up 4 stairs and in my front door which opens into a wall. I have to zig-zag bikes around this short wall to get them into the house. - I store all my bicycles in my basement which is a 90 degree turn from the basement door to the relatively steep stairwell. To get bikes down the stairwell, I prop them up vertically on the rear wheel and walk them down the stairs in front on me holding the handlebars and strategically using the rear break. - To get them out of the basement, I have a ramp that locks into the stairs. I shimmy the bike onto the ramp, put my left hand on the seat post, my right hand on the right handlebar grip and push the bike in front of me up the stairs and turn the bars at the precise moment navigate the 90 degree turn out of the basement door. My PBH is 85cm and saddle height 74cm so I could fit a 52 Clem but it sounds like a 59 Clem would be more ideal. There's a chance I would not have to take the front wheel off of the 52 to get the bike down the basement but it would likely require be turning the bars slightly which could be more sketchy. I would definitely have to take the front wheel off the 59 to get the bike down the basement. I might even have to take it off to get in the front door. What would you do if you were in my shoes? Is the Clem worth the hassle? Is sizing up to the 59 worth the extra hassle? Am I nuts for considering the Clem in general? Thanks for any insight you many have! -- 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 visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/025415b3-926d-472f-a20e-992a3f0b7e94n%40googlegroups.com.
