Tani here from the Kamiuma shop.

Today, I want to talk about choosing the right size.

・・・

Bikes have sizes. Not wheel sizes but frame sizes.

For us in Japan, I think we sometimes take frame sizing a little too lightly because a lot of us grew up with “Mamachari”, those everyday city bikes that somehow works for all kinds of different people.

But frame size is actually really important.
Honestly, having the right size can matter more than what parts are on the bike.

At the shop, we often compare it to shoes.

Imagine someone with a 27cm foot trying to ride a marathon in size 25cm or 30cm.
Or commuting everyday in leather shoes that are completely the wrong size.
Sounds miserable right?

You won’t perform well, your feet will hurt, and eventually that discomfort might start affecting your knees or your lower back. That might sounds a little dramatic, but bike sizing works in a very similar way. Riding the right frame size is one of the biggest things that help you ride faster, farther, and more comfortably.

That being said, sizing can still be confusing.
Different brands and different types of bikes all have their own methods and theories, and there’s no shortage of opinions out there.
Thankfully, Rivendell makes things much easier with a measurement called “PBH”

Today, I want to go over what PBH is again, so that even customers who live far away can choose the right size more confidently.
We’ll also use the newly arrived CLEM SMITH Jr. as an example, since we’ve been getting a lot of questions about the new sizing.
The same method applies to other Rivendell models too so stick with me.
First, with this familiar video

When choosing a Rivendell size, the first thing you need to know is your PBH.
PBH is your inseam measured barefoot from the floor up to your pubic bone.

The important part is that you’re not measuring just to the surface of your body.
You want the object you’re using to measure with pushed firmly upward so you’re actually measuring to the pubic bone.
At the shop we usually measure like this.
If you don’t have a level, that’s totally fine. Use anything hard enough like a ruler, book or even a magazine lying around.(might not be the most accurate way.)
Measure from the floor up to the mark you made on the wall.
It’s easy to choose a bike size based only on height but even someone with the same height can have PBH measurements that differ by 10cm.
Once you find your PBH keep that in your phone for future reference.

Then it gets easy.

On Rivendell’s geometry charts and frame product pages, you’ll always find a section called “PBH Range”.
Match your PBH to that range, and you’ll immediately have a good idea of which size fits you.

The basic rule is:
Start with PBH. If two sizes fit your PBH, use your height to help you decide between them.
That’s the easiest way to get close to the right size.

Now onto the main subject: The recently arrived CLEM SMITH Jr.

The new colors might grab your attention first, but the big news is the long-awaited arrival of a size 50.
And with this new size, choosing between the different CLEMs has become a little more interesting.
So we asked our staff to model the size that fit them best

Compare their measurements with your own PBH and use them as reference.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
★ Size 45: PBH range: 68–76cm / Suggested height: 152cm and upSize: 45: Aro-chan, PBH: 71cm, Saddle height: 60cm, Height: 156cm

Size 45: Digi,PBH: 76cm, Saddle height: 65cm, Height: 163cm

★ Size 50: PBH range: 74–82cm / Suggested height: 165cm and up
Size 50: Samba, PBH: 79cm, Saddle height: 68cm, Height: 168cm

★ Size 55.5: PBH range: 80–88cm / Suggested height: 172cm and up
Size 55.5: Kyuji, PBH: 80cm, Saddle height: 69cm, Height: 176cm

★ Size 59: PBH range: 86–96cm / Suggested height: 178cm and up
Size 59: Kaisei, PBH: 87cm, Saddle height: 76cm, Height: 180cm
・・・

Let’s now take a closer look at each one.

First size 45.
This one covers a pretty wide range, from smaller riders up to someone around Digi’s size. Using 650B wheels.
CLEM also makes a great partner bike.
It has a comfortable ride, works with pretty much any kind of clothing, and is a really easy way to pull your partner into the world of bikes.Digi is PBH 76cm and 163cm tall, which means he can technically ride both the 45 and 50.

If I were helping him choose at the shop, I’d probably recommend the 50. But for this example, we had him ride the 45 because he’s a good reference for someone at the very top end of the size 45 range.

So if you’re thinking about a bike that you and your partner might share, this might be useful.

A quick side story.
At first, I had AI combine two separate photos of the size 45 riders into one image.

Look closely. They both somehow turned into slightly different people.

Especially Digi.
Who is this guy? lol

Anyway, back to sizing. Next is the big one: the new size 50.
With the previous CLEM, we had a lot of Japanese Rivendell riders who felt that size 45 was too small, while the CLEM 52 or PLATYPUS 55 felt too big. The new 50 fills that gap really nicely.

It should be a particularly good fit for riders around PBH 74–80cm and 165–170cm tall, which is probably one of the most common ranges here in Japan. Samba is PBH 79cm and 168cm tall.

Looks spot on.

This size also uses the 650B wheels.

And now for the situation that confuses everyone: What is your PBH fits two different sizes?
Let’s use Kyuji as an example.
Kyuji’s PBH is 80cm and 176cm tall. With that PBH, he falls into both the size 50 and 55.5 ranges.
So which one should he be riding?

This is where height finally becomes useful.

Size 50: PBH 74–82cm / Suggested height 165cm and up
Size 55.5: PBH 80–88cm / Suggested height 172cm and up

If you fit both PBH ranges and you also clear the suggested height for the larger size, I’d recommend choosing the larger one.

As you can see in the photo, it fits Kyuji perfectly.

So the simple conclusion is:
With Rivendell, if you fit more than one size, choose the larger size that you properly fit.

Every now and then, someone reads that and thinks it means they should just choose an oversized bike.
That’s not what I mean.

Stay within your proper PBH range, and then choose the larger option if you fit both.
Remember the running shoe example. You still don’t want to run a marathon in size 30cm shoes if they don’t fit your feet.

So, do you have a better idea of your Rivendell size now?
This method works not only for CLEM, but across Rivendell’s lineup, so hopefully it helps.
And if you’re still stuck between two sizes after reading this, please feel free to ask us.

If you can visit the shop, we’ll measure you here.
If you live farther away, measure both your PBH and height before giving us a call, and we’ll help you figure it out.

For reference, I’m PBH 83cm and 173cm tall.
If I were buying a new CLEM, I’d choose the 55.5.

That would put me near the smaller end of the people who fit that size. Personally, I like the Sergio Green.
But I already own an older size 52 CLEM, which feels a little cramped and makes me want something bigger.

So for now, I’m trying to behave myself. Thanks for reading all the way to the end!

Tani