Similar to others, I am in-between Clem sizes and therefore sold mine largely just due to poor fit, but also it cannot be overstated that the Clem is a utility bike through and through: the tubing is heavy and offers no liveliness of ride, but it will last a lifetime of grocery store runs and doing whatever you ask of it, as long as you don't ask it to be sporty.
If you want ride quality, get the Atlantis for sure. Even though it's a stout bike, the Atlantis was designed with ride quality much higher up the priority list than the Clem IMO. On Thursday, 24 June 2021 at 11:54:05 UTC-7 E. Ricky Creek wrote: > It is time for me to fess up as to how many Riv's were (until recently) in > my garage: 7. I ride a Waterford Atlantis, a Waterford Hillborne (rare > canti/double TT 56cm), a Simpleone, and I recently sold a Gomez and a Clem > H. My wife rides a Cheviot and an Appaloosa (both are in my size range). I > rode the Clem H for 5-6 years and every time I rode it I thought "I just > don't love this bike, but it is the bike I ride the most (commuter)." I > ride a 58cm traditionally sized bike and found the 52 Clem H just never fit > right (too small). The 60cm Yves Gomez was too big and never felt > comfortable. Much like you my dream bike (since 2004) was the Atlantis. > I've had mine for 4 years. If I only could keep one bike, it would be the > Atlantis. I am not as fond of the long chainstays as others here are, but I > have ridden them and didn't think they are bad, but I prefer the ride of my > Hillborne and Atlantis (and sometimes when my knees are feeling okay the > Simpleone). If you are into bikes and dream of different bikes and spent > crazy amounts of time looking at bikes (and parts!), thinking that X bike > will complete your bike quest, then buying your dream bike now may not > truly satisfy your hunger. I bought, rode, sold, traded, gave away many > bikes on my journey to my current stable, which is perfect for me. But if > I'd started way back in 2003 (when I got into riding as an "adult") with > this bunch of bikes I likely wouldn't feel the way about them as I do now. > I don't know what the answer is for you, nor does anyone, really, but you > can't go wrong with any bike that fits you and you enjoy riding. Plus if > you score a Clem on this list, it will still be worth what you paid in a > year (maybe more?!), and folks on this list are always up for a "new" bike. > > That was long winded and didn't answer your question. The Clem H rode slow > and fat for me (as I am slow and fat), and it didn't fit me right because > of the huge gap between sizes. The Atlantis (original style) rides much > more like a traditional touring bike (stable, easy handling), which I > prefer. I rode a LHT for years and the Atlantis rides more similar, though > much better, that that. The bikes were set up with upright bars (though the > Atlantis now has wide drops, which I prefer). > > On Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 1:09:41 PM UTC-5 dougP wrote: > >> Max: >> >> I have a 58 cm 2003 Atlantis that has seen extensive use in all the >> categories Jim mentioned and agree with his evaluations. I have fitted 50 >> mm tires to it but chosen to run 40 mm as my optimal size. The bike is >> amazingly versatile & came with drop bars which were fine for years until >> the penny dropped & I went upright for even more comfort. I've used >> several kinds of racks on it, both for light around town use & fully loaded >> touring. It handles everything with style. >> >> I've never ridden a Clem so obviously I'm highly biased in this but if >> the Atlantis is your dream bike, go for it. A frequent comment from list >> members who've sold an Atlantis is "I wish I hadn't done that". >> >> Used ones pop up here from time to time, usually in the common frame >> sizes. While there is nothing like a brand new bike (I still remember >> pulling mine out of the shipping box), a used Atlantis is still a great >> bike. It's not as if steel frames wear out. Besides, if the Atlantis is >> your dream bike & you pass on it, you will always wonder "...what if?...". >> >> dougP >> >> On Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 10:30:09 AM UTC-7 [email protected] >> wrote: >> >>> Thanks for the feedback Jimmy! >>> >>> On Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 11:37:29 AM UTC-5 Jimmy Warren wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> I’m an Atlantis owner and a family member of a Clem owner, which I have >>>> ridden. Disclaimer: that Clem is 2 cm above my ideal size. >>>> >>>> If it were me, I’d save up and get an Atlantis, especially if >>>> pre-owned. A used one probably has less tire room, but still has a lot of >>>> tire room, and the newest ones, according to the Riv site fit 2.4”, which >>>> I >>>> think matches the Clem. And it rides better, more efficient. It’s all >>>> around a more versatile bike if you’re looking for a do-all with >>>> road-riding in mind as well as trails. >>>> >>>> And even if you find one of the oldest models (mine’s generation 1 from >>>> 2000) the tire clearance will still be close to 2”. And the tire room only >>>> got better as the model evolved from 2000 to now. >>>> >>>> I’ve used my Atlantis for every kind of riding I enjoy (which does not >>>> include steep downhill fast rocky mountain biking!) >>>> >>>> Touring - amazing >>>> Dirt road bike packing - amazing >>>> Commuting - amazing >>>> Cross country mountain biking and dirt climbing - amazing >>>> Drop bar road riding - very good >>>> >>>> - Jimmy W. >>>> >>>> On Jun 24, 2021, at 7:33 AM, [email protected] <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hey all, I am a wannabe Riv owner. One day, when the mood of my wife >>>> and bank account align...at least that's my hope. >>>> >>>> I browse a lot of used listings and sometimes will see a deal pop up >>>> that I'm interested in, but feel like I don't have enough info to >>>> confidently purchase. Looking for some insight especially from those who >>>> have ridden multiple Riv models. >>>> >>>> I have a special nostalgia for the Rivendell Atlantis -- the color, the >>>> geometry; it just seems like my dream bike and I don't have a >>>> justification. The price is steep, though. I have been curious what the >>>> difference in ride quality is when compared with the Clem H, as that's >>>> more >>>> in my price range and I see used ones come up for sale much more >>>> frequently. Obviously it's a different look and I'm missing lugs, etc, but >>>> it does have those crazy long stays. What's the difference in ride >>>> quality? >>>> Especially if I'm riding upright. >>>> >>>> A couple of notes: I live in very flat Dallas, I primarily use my bike >>>> as a commuter (towing my HappiSack) with a 10 mile radius but would also >>>> like to do some light touring. My preferred set up is riding upright. >>>> >>>> If anyone else would care to weigh in with a comparison between the >>>> ride quality of the Atlantis and other Riv models, I'd be interested in >>>> those too! Just trying to arm myself with information in a market where I >>>> often am shopping online and unable to try before I buy. >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Max >>>> >>>> -- >>>> 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 [email protected]. >>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e4484b96-0f19-4394-8d74-9ca38da8f660n%40googlegroups.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e4484b96-0f19-4394-8d74-9ca38da8f660n%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 [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/fd0aed99-4aa6-4d86-918f-f66fab75f234n%40googlegroups.com.
