Thursday, June 9, 2016

Older Bikes vs. New - Pre-ordering a Rivendell Clementine

I ordered a Rivendell Clementine! Photo credit: Rivendell Bicycles

As a couple we are pretty low-key when it comes to bikes. We ride older, functional, and sturdy mountain bikes that pre-date shocks, appreciating that era of bike simplicity - not a conscious choice per se, but it just happens to be the type of bikes my husband and I toured on in the 1980s and 1990s, and we've kept them going ever since. We are comfortable adjusting cantilever brakes, replacing cables, threading through thumbshifters, wiping chains and rims, and pedaling with toe clips. Aluminum Blackburn racks have held up well and are still going strong. We like wider rims that accommodate 1.5-2" tires and value their sturdy stance on bike path, sidewalks, dirt trails, and debris strewn roadsides.

My husband is comfortable with his current stable of bikes: a 1992 Bridgestone MB-3 and a 1986 MB-2, whereas I've thought long and hard about whether my current Trek 830 Antelope will be my go-to choice as I get older. In recent years I've appreciated the upright step-through style of my commuter Ross Mt. Saint Helens which has seriously made me  consider this bike style as a primary option for my later years. I've pondered a marriage between the two styles (and best qualities of both) in The Ideal Bicycle a process that further helped me define what I wanted. Always on the lookout for an older bicycle, the awakening came when I realized I couldn't acquire an older step-through frame in a large enough size. It was shortly after this revelation that I began following Rivendell's fleet of Mixtes with more interest; Betty Foy and Cheviot. However, I would not compromise what I really wanted, only to settle for their mixte's high step-over height (not to mention I couldn't swallow spending what I consider an exorbitant amount of money these models fetch).

Over the past year, I've pondered what I love about older bikes vs. newer bikes.

Older bikes advantages:
  • sturdy frame
  • frame clearance for 26" tires and fenders
  • inexpensive
  • Schraeder rims (in my opinion, a better alternative to finicky Presta valves)
  • Often come with thumb shifters
Newer bikes advantages:
  • adjustable stem bolts to easier swap out handle bars to fine tune bike fit
  • updated V- or disc brakes for quicker stopping power
  • Shiny new paint!
  • In most cases, a lighter weight frame
  • a frame size that might fit
I was heartened to find options available to Europeans yet saddened to learn I couldn't easily test ride any of the bikes! It was around this time that I'd followed Rivendell's Clementine model and feedback from the first round of pre-orders. It was all positive. And continues to be. So, the timing and pre-order savings means a bike will be delivered to my house this July (they say). In a size that will fit me, the low gear gearing I desire, in a pretty blue color. Unfortunately, for this round of orders the Clementine has been rebranded as Clem-L, only available in mustard or blue. So no orange Clementine. However, it's a small price to pay for the more important features. I am hoping this will be a wonderful touring bicycle. This is the first new bicycle I've purchased in 30 years - about time, eh?

As an aside, Velouria at Lovely Bicycle! has a Clementine in her possession. I am eagerly awaiting her feedback, which I suspect we'll hear before my bicycle arrives.

21 comments:

  1. I was thinking maybe you had taken the Clem plunge. I thought it would be a good match for you, and hope you enjoy it. I'm looking forward to seeing it carry you and your creature comforts across the landscape.

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    1. Thanks to people like you, who speak highly of their products, I thought it would be worth a shot. On paper, the Clem has everything I want.

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  2. Leah P.June 10, 2016 at 11:51 AM

    Hi, Annie! You don't know me, but I read your blog from time to time. I was in the market for a Rivendell Betty Foy in 2012 and stumbled into your blog via Google search. I enjoy your writing and check in from time to time. I am SO excited to read that you ordered a Clementine!

    I ended up buying my Rivendell sight unseen and never test ridden. It has been the best thing I've ever purchased and I love that bike madly. I feel as if someone made it just for me, and I am not in the least exaggerating. I had a long history (since childhood) of Target and Walmart Schwinns, and once, managed to get hold of a Craigslist Trek for a couple of months. So, investing in a Rivendell was a lot of money and risk for me. It has paid off in spades! I have been ruined for riding any other bike, "ever since" 2012, as Grant would say. This year, my husband needed a new bike. He was riding a ridiculous Scwinn from Target - I'm attaching the link to the RBW Owner's Bunch conversation so you can see just how ridiculous his bike had become, in case you wonder:
    https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rbw-owners-bunch/tfnXbvsrBSQ

    Anyway, I managed to get him to consider the new Clem that had just been released by Rivendell. He was finally sold when he pictured us riding our "matching" bikes together. When his mother saw (via Facebook) how much enjoyment he was getting, she called me up with her Visa number and insisted I order a Clementine for her! Rivendell had nothing left, but we scored bikes from John at Rivelo. We have all been so happy with our Riv bikes. I can barely stand waiting to hear about yours. Oh, do hurry and write a post when it arrives!!!

    This month, we're driving across the country to his mother's and bringing our bikes. I can't wait to photograph those three Rivendells together. You will be so happy you ordered this bike. I wish you many happy miles! You have not bought a bike in 30 years, as you say, and you are a dedicated commuter - you DESERVE A RIVENDELL!!!

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    1. Leah - I followed your lengthy thread on Rivendell Owners Google, a pleasure to read! It's comments like yours that instill confidence that buying an untested bike can have a positive outcome.

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  3. The Clementine looks so lovely, I WISH we could get Rivendells here in Aus. Looking forward to reading about what you do with your bike.

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    1. I'm a little nervous, buying a bike sight unseen, yet with tweaks I'm pretty sure it will become a wonderful ride.

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  4. Exciting Annie! I think you made a very wise choice- your investment will pay off in the long run.

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  5. Looks wonderful. I hope this is the bike to take you through the next 30 years!

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    1. That's the plan Kendra! I know there will be adjustments - I'm a bit nervous about trying completely new handle bars - but with time, I should be able to work it all out. I'm just excited to get an upright bike that fits my 5'8" height, one that I can tour on.

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  6. I purchased one of the first round of Clems, a 52cm, with the stock build. I find it to be a wonderful bike. And if you don't like the handle bars, well, that's an easy fix. You will be very happy on your Clementine:)

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    1. Simon - so wonderful to have this confirmation from a Clem owner!

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  7. Beautiful bike. I'm sure it will serve you well.

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    1. I wish I had your mechanical expertise, but I'll muddle through and figure out the racks and fender set up. That's my first mission.

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  8. Congrats Annie! I am bike Jealous. A new bike from Riv is on the bucket-list. I was fortunate to be in SF on business with a free afternoon back in 2010 and I took Bart out to Walnut creek. It was this vintage bike nerds dream; I got to ride a Sam and a San Marcos, drink espresso, eat dark chocolate and hob nob with Grant and Kevin. In short it was awesome as I am sure your Clem will be. BTW Velouria has posted her first piece on the Clem! Enjoy you cool new ride

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    1. Ryan - I remember how gracious you said the folks at Rivendell were as is my own experience on the phone with them. Timing is right to make this big leap - one that's left me with a little angst as I've never ordered a bike, sight unseen, but I'm confident this will all work out.

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    2. You need to start working the face muscles Annie, when you ride your Clementine your gonna have a smile so big it might strain something...;-)

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  9. When I purchased a city bike with upright handlebars, I modified the handlebars and lowered the stem some. Hills were then easier to climb as I had a more forward [aggressive] position.

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  10. Annie, I had a sneaky suspicion you had ordered a Rivendell Clem. I'm looking forward to reading your assessment of this bike. Your anxiety over buying a bike sight unseen comes through loud and clear. I believe once you get the bike, you will find your choice was well thought out. You did your homework before the purchase. You knew what you wanted and narrowed down the the choices. You did everything you could short of a test ride. Buying from a bike designer like Grant P. should guarantee the bike will ride better than you imagined. I've bought 5 new bikes over the last 14 years sight unseen. All of them worked for me because I did the research, read up on the reviews, knew what I liked, and picked wisely. I'm confident you won't be disappointed.

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    1. All compass points steered me in this direction, and yes, it has been a thoroughly researched decision. I think I would've been happy with similar European models, but since none of those are available here within a budgeted 1500. (ha, shipping overseas, or cost of airline ticket?-prohibitive!) when a beautiful Clementine is practically here on my doorstep, so-to-speak.

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  11. Always an exciting time when you order a new bike and await that delivery day....
    I wish you many happy miles on your upcoming new bike..

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