The Cheviot also only comes in three sizes. I am getting a 52 Clem(entine). I don't think it's a matter of "making the 52 work," despite the fact that, at 5'10" and with a seat height around 74cm, I normally ride 58-60cm frames (I do tend to set my upright townie rides 1-2cm lower, legs just seem to like it that way). Because the frame itself is already designed to get bars high, you are starting from a different base point. The design of the frame makes the bicycle work for a wider range of riders. Note also the generous overlaps between sizes. I could just as easily ride the 59, according to the Clem brochure. Arggh. Critical Decisions to Be Made. Life is full of them.
Perhaps somewhat ironically, with the 52cm, I will be showing more like what is these days considered the norm in seat post exposure, rather than the fistful/French fit on most of my bikes. Regarding the handlebars, I suppose the stem will be a bit more exposed, but, again, due to the design, not much more than on my regular bikes. As to what is dorky, these days when I see a non-lean, maybe a bit less than graceful rider in full pro kit pedaling $6000 dollars worth of skinny-ass bike down the road going nowhere and back, dorky is a handy adjective to have lying around. Sporting civvies astride my black Clem(entine), I will cut a proletarian, convivial figure as I go about my chores, pleasures, and visitations. By way of intro, I am a long time iBob member, formerly of NYC, now residing in the Hudson Valley. For a little while in the early nineties I published a regional cycling publication. For a little while in the early aughts I published a cycling website. I ordered a 52cm black Clementine when a few became re-available. Many of my bicycles are festooned with 1-5 items purchased from Rivendell (not including clothing worn while on a bike). I've never owned a Rivendell, though I came close once when I almost traded a plum-colored Japanese Bridgestone Atlantis for an orange Rambouillet. The P.C.J.B.A. eventually made its way to Walnut Creek, and into a Riv Reader from what I understand. I am not a Riv fan boy, but I do confess to having one bicycle with just the tattered remains of handlebar tape, and I use a dab of regular soap on my pits in lieu of deodorant (thanks for the tip, GP!) I also believe long chainstays will be more useful during the zombie apocalypse than 7/4/7 top tubes. But best to have at least one or two of each meanwhile. Although I have kind of fallen for my latest commuter build, a sky blue 1979 Le Tour mixte, (Riv items; mirror, handlebars, tail light, two fish water bottle holder [on ocassion], back o' bike bags in gray) and I am generally not a new bicycle kind of guy, I am completely stoked to get my mitts on my Clementine. <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O7NFJ5txFhs/VhnCXCPJvhI/AAAAAAAAFLw/8SxT608iO3U/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG> On Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 10:13:13 AM UTC-4, sprocket67 wrote:It seems like with the limited frame sizes the handlebar rise has to be out of proportion to fit a rider that might normally need a larger frame. If you usually ride a 56 you'd have to make the 52 work. > >> >> > -- 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-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
