I wouldn’t take this as gospel, but earlier this year in some email correspondence with Will from Rivendell, he mentioned that there would be another run of Susie / Gus frames either late this year or early next. He also mentioned that it MAY be the last run of these, and that they were considering consolidating the two into one bike instead of having two such similar models. Now, I don’t know if that means one of the two would go away, or both of them, or if it means a newly designed “Hillibike” that is a combination of the two. I simply can’t speculate on what he meant any more than that… but it’s something to keep in mind.
I can’t *fully* speak to the capabilities of my Gus because I’ve only had it for 2 weeks now. However, in that amount of time I’ve put it through nearly all of the situations I intend to use it for and the types of terrain I plan to ride it on. I don’t consider myself a mountain biker per se, but I do enjoy riding a bike on rough terrain. Never owned a bike with suspension and never felt the need based on my riding style. I’ve been known to do a bit of underbiking with a loaded steel gravel bike. I’m firmly a “wheels on the ground” rider. I’m not jumping off rocks, hopping over logs, or screaming down hills picking technical lines. I’m typically riding rather slowly and methodically, simply enjoying the fact that I can even ride a bike on terrain that a lot of folks wouldn’t consider. Green and blue trails for this guy, and the tamer ones at that. I wanted to be able to pack 30-odd pounds along with me for bikepacking trips on chunky gravel, unmaintained forest roads, and exploring the occasional dry creek bed or crossing scenario. My Gus replaced my Surly Troll for all the riding mentioned above. Nothing crazy. Nothing technical. But I wanted it to be capable. The weight limitations listed on the Susie ruled it out for me. I’m not heavy, but not the lightest either (175-180 usually); but my weight + loaded gear + terrain made me go with Gus.
In the past two weeks, I’ve ridden my Gus (27.5 x 2.5 tires) approximately 150 miles; spanning several paved rail trail routes, an s24o along some rugged forest roads, and a couple of trips to local singletrack parks. It’s proved entirely capable in all situations thus far. It cruises along, carves turns, descends with confidence, and climbs like a mofo. Pretty much what I want it to do.
I think if you’re looking to replace a suspension mountain bike, or a bike with a dropper post, or a bike you’d typically be bombing over roots and hopping off rocks at speed, this bike AIN’T that.
Hope my limited experience helps a bit!
- Brian "long wheelbase progressive geometry" The next marketing ploy!
I agree on the tire size. I’m not sure what wheels you are running, but the cliffhanger set up tubeless with a 2.4-5 would make it quite capable. Again, this is depending on your wants. I love a stable bike that can bomb some fun stuff and climb comfortably while getting me to and from the trail. Deer and elk trail exploration, the bike shoulders surprisingly well to get through some tough hike a bike. Could be the ATB the market “must” have in a few years.
I won’t knock the sweet new bikes (or riders) that can fly through any terrain at speeds that scare me! That’s just not what you buy one of these bikes for. I love my Susie but can’t say that it would be a massive difference over the Clem L if the Clem had similar wheels and tires. It’s a 1 cm higher BB, not a huge difference. Run a shorter crank, your knees might love it!
On Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 4:29:45 PM UTC-7 Mackenzy Albright wrote:
I think the tires size definitely makes a huge difference in overall feel. Even going from 2.2 on a narrow rim to 2.5 on a wide rim. If you've got a chance, try to fit some ~2.4 tires on there and hit the trails. I found some inexpensive second hand downhill tires to try it out and really enjoyed it. Downhillers love upgrading and tires can be bought cheap. The BB height also rises to a more reasonable height for trails as well.
I found the large clem jr pretty good on "baby head" sized rocks sticking out of trails for the speeds I ride. It deflects and bounces a lot less than other bikes I've noticed. Granted my reference of my previous bike was a romanceur with 26x2.1 tires which is short and twitchy.
I've noticed a lot of "progressive" mtb geometry is getting long and slack (not unlike riv hillibikes). As Frahm had mentioned the huge difference is short chainstays and steeeeeeeep seat tubes. I'm curious if longer bikes will catch on in the next 5 years. Salsa and Specialized will release "long wheelbase progressive geometry" mountain bikes. haha
Nice, thanks for that input. My Clem is a new 52 and it has felt really good on smooth trails. But it was pretty rough relative to the squishy bike) on a heavily rooted section. But the tires are pretty small as noted. On a more rocky trail I frequent I would be concerned (I think?) about pedal strikes. But I really need to ride some more trails with this Clem. Sent from my iPhone I have a bullmoose bosco first gen 59cm Clementine with 2.2 tires and simworks flat 65 fenders with ample clearance for the type of riding I do. With the steeper headtube I find it a better commuter with a basket and light trail bike that is extremely comfortable and fun. it feels like a good bike with long chainstays.
I also have a 64 Clem Smith Jr that I found I disliked as a commuter with a basket because of flop so have turned it into a designated hillibike. I was able to fit 2.5 maxxis tires with space to spare. The fit is almost identical to the 59cm with tosco's and a 90mm stem. It's an absolute blast on trails and descends and climbs like a dream. The way it floats I felt I could easily outpace a lot of other bikes with no squirm. I feel much more confident on trails than with the clementine. It marks what I enjoy about mountain biking/all terrain biking which is picking lines, riding light, pumping, and regulating speed accordingly. the long wheel base and slack HT really help it float. I have no intention of ever having a suspension bike. it's not how I want to relate or wish to engage to my environment. With the bike so long I feel like I have lots of room to move forward and back terrain pending.
I think a Gus or a SUS would be even a little more awesome for trails. But I'm happy with my clems and they do everything i want them to do.
On Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 3:06:06 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:
I love the Susie / Gus for what they are, but I will admit I'd never consider one for trail riding around here because of two deal-breakers: rim brakes and 26.8 seatpost. I can happily do without suspension, but a dropper seatpost provides so much more off-road capability for pretty minimal complexity. At least if were 27.2 we'd have options. And disc brakes not only improve performance and general enjoyment when things get muddy, they also allow fatter tires and potentially fenders as well - there isn't enough clearance with V-brakes to have both fat tires and fenders.
This has everything to do with where I live though - the Gus / Susie are perfect for the California hills for which they're designed, I have no doubt. They just don't make as much sense here in BC. The Jones, or a Stooge are the ideal rigid MTBs for me.
Greetings all. First, does anyone recall reading in one of the updates about additional Susie / Gus bikes becoming available?Second, who is using their Susie / Gus as their primary mountain bike? Third, is anyone able to comments on a direct comparison between a Susie and a Clem L? My Clem never ceases to amaze me. It is, without doubt the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. I am so ingrained to my position on the bike that I am now uncomfortable on my dedicated singletrack bike - a full suspension bike with relatively strait handlebars. The Clem is really good off road and on mild singletrack, but its weight and flexibility have kept me from giving it a go on some of the rowdy, rock and root strewn tracks I like to ride on the full squish bike. Now, I have no illusions about any rigid bike being as plush and capable on these trails as the suspended bike. But I do have some experience riding a rigid bike with big tires (Jones 29") and I liked it. The notion of a bike that puts me in the exact same position as my Clem but dedicated to singletrack has me more than a little intrigued. Appreciate any comments / thoughts.
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