Am in the process of selecting a vendor for the build-up of a Rivendell Clem Smith Jr bike. Rough initial list of component preferences noted below.
If anyone's got suggestions or recommendations for components, on this bike, I'm all ears. Open to suggestions on lighter components to aid in keeping the weight down. But then, as a "Clyde," myself, there's a limit to "weight-weenie" thinking on the vitals such as wheel set and bearings (hub, head).
Basic goals: extreme low gearing; commuting, with occasional very light "credit-card" over-nighters; a decent "Rivendell" look to the thing; reliable and fairly durable, but without unnecessary weight. Probably a Bronzey Green, leather & silver "classic" color scheme to everything, but we'll see.
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Frame set -- Rivendell Clem Smith Jr., step-through "L" model possibly, 26in wheels.
Crank set -- Spécialités TA Carmina, 9spd double (94/58mm BCD), 155-160mm arms, 34/20T rings, 11-42T cassette, Connex chain.
Bottom bracket -- undecided.
Derailleurs -- Shimano 9spd.
Shifters -- Shimano 9spd barcon "guts" on Paul Components "thumbies" frames; friction/indexed.
Headset -- undecided, at this point. (1" threaded.)
Brakes -- Paul Components touring cantilever, w/ Velo Orange Grand Cru levers.
Wheels -- Velocity CliffHanger 26 36H (25mm I.D.), Sapim Force spokes and brass nipples.
Tires/tubes -- ReneHerse Rat Trap Pass 26x2.3" (or Naches Pass 26x1.8") tires, with Schwalbe tubes, Velox cloth rim liners.
Hubs -- Bitex touring 36H.
Stem -- Nitto Tallux or Nitto DirtDrop, sizing based on fitting.
Handlebars -- Nitto Bosco 58cm (aluminum).
Seat post -- undecided.
Saddle -- Brooks B67 Aged.
Grips -- undecided.
Cables -- JagWire Pro 5mm, polished stainless.
Cable Housing -- JagWire Pro 5mm housing, brass ferrules, inline adjusters.
Lighting -- undecided, as yet, but considering dynamo front hub and Busch & Müller lighting.
Security bolts -- decent anti-theft bolts all around (ie, PitLoc or similar).
Rack, front and rear -- undecided; lighter, if done.
Panniers/bags -- undecided. Possibly, just a front porteur rack and bag.
Bell -- a stem-mounted brass bell, of course.
Fenders -- undecided.
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Looking forward to it.
Of course, there's the frame availability (which will drive everything). Piddled around earlier in the year, until all the frames were gone. Oops. Anyway, hopefully it'll be an autumn build, assuming frames come available.
Yaaaay!
Example bikes @ Blue Lug (Japan):
