Wow, thanks again for all the insight and info everyone! It is truly so helpful.
I was floating a bunch of crazy ideas to my partner last night about storing the bike somewhere else in the house when I realized that if I'm i'm going to get Clem or a Platy I'm just going to have to find a place to store it outside. My house is on a corner so I have easy access to my small backyard. Constructing a lockable shed in my small backyard seems like the best option. I'll just need to make it super secure and will likely use some of Antone's techniques for big city outdoor storage. >From what everyone is saying about the ride quality, I imagine the Riv would be the bike that get’s chosen the most which means it should be the most accessible. This is the path forward! On Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 2:09:53 PM UTC-5 jsrwa...@gmail.com wrote: > I’m a big strong man. But there is no way I would be trying to lug a Clem > Jr up the stairs, and navigate a bunch of 90 degree turns. > > I ride a big one 64. And to me, it’s the bars that give me the most > problems. They are comfy out on the ride. But difficult to even get in the > house. Plus it’s a heavy bike. > Hope the best for you, but I would be very sure. > John > > On Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 10:59 AM DavidP <dphi...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Antone - The amount of dedication and will power needed to go through >> with making a nice bike look bad as a theft deterrent will never cease to >> impress me. >> >> Ride on! >> -Dave (out in the 'burbs near Boston) >> >> On Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 9:35:33 AM UTC-5 lambbo wrote: >> >>> Hi Jamie, >>> >>> I'm in Brooklyn, and have a Cheviot which I keep locked up outside on a >>> street sign (8 years now). New locks, including for your seat, wheels, >>> stem, and any bolt you feel like locking, really are a game changer...I >>> also have intentionally destroyed the aesthetic of my cheviot using paint >>> stripper, brown paint, bits of other colors, and scratches on my seat, to >>> deter thieves. It looks like a huge, old, rusty women's bike to most >>> thieves, not really a market for that. >>> >>> I can't say it will always work, but is has so far, and the amount of >>> hassle I've avoided getting my bike in and out of my apartment over the >>> years has kept me commuting on a wonderful bike. If someone stole my bike >>> tomorrow, I think the cost benefit would still be in my favor (it's also a >>> used bike with used dynamo used everything for that reason, but still rides >>> like a dream). >>> >>> The paint stripper and brown matte paint are probably the best >>> deterrent, but the locks I use are Abus Bordo and a lot of hex locks on >>> everything. >>> >>> Hope that's helpful, >>> Antone >>> On Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 4:01:03 AM UTC-5 Roberta wrote: >>> >>>> Hi Jamie. >>>> >>>> Try Ben’s Clem. ( ben—I thinkknow you— you have an adorable child and a >>>> green Clem that you share with your wife?) The Clem is very long but I bet >>>> you love the ride. If you also want to try 55 Platy you’re welcome to try >>>> mine for testing. It will be less long and lighter than the Clem. I’m >>>> in center city i’ve had similar issues getting my bike in and out of the >>>> house. >>>> >>>> Roberta >>>> >>>> On Monday, December 9, 2024 at 1:15:39 PM UTC-5 Jamie D. wrote: >>>> >>>>> 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-bun...@googlegroups.com. >> > To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/34ccb871-4b93-4462-9065-0c54e8114429n%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/34ccb871-4b93-4462-9065-0c54e8114429n%40googlegroups.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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/1c516e88-002e-44e6-9980-3b2259736fb8n%40googlegroups.com.
