Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Suggestions requested - bikes that are long and low

I'm 6', 225lbs., but I have short legs, like 29 inseam, and a long upper body, like a 6'6" sized up bod. So what bikes are long and low?

I have the same problem, 6'2", 30" inseam. Check out the Specialized Roubaix's.

Thanks, Ronjon, I will.

Ronjon - Googled this:

http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/road-bike/specialized-bicycle/PRD_290732_5668crx.aspx

Relevant first comment. Bad wheels. Otherwise the guy loves it.

Rans V3 XL size, definately long and low......and fast! Check them out!:eek:

CV - Oh yeah, those are long and low all right, but I wasn't looking for a recumbant.

You want a compact frame, or maybe even a custom.
A compact has a sloping top tube.
Lots of companies do compacts these days.

Lots of companies do compacts these days.

Specialized does a lot of compact frames.

GIANT Bicycles is well-known for their compact framed road bikes.

If you're looking at Trek, see the PILOT series of bikes.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If road bikes don't work, I guess you can take a look at mountain bikes. They're all long and low :D

If nothing else works, then I guess you'll have to go the custom route or get a really long stem and/or seat post with lots of setback on a compact frame.

I agree with late. Try a Specialized Allez or something comparable. I have a 28.5 inch inseam and my sloping Allez fits me pretty well. I don't think it is particularly long, though, although you could change out the stem easily enough to get some more room between you and the handlebars.

"You want a compact frame..."


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That's the kind with the sloping top tube then? I've been away from bicycling for a long time, and they didn't used to make them that way. Top tubes used to be all horizontal. I guess the advantage to the sloping top tube is that I will now be able to fit on a larger frame that is more suitable to my overall size regardless of the fact that I have short legs.

Ah, so this new fangled gadgetry and goofy angles may be good for something after all!

"You want a compact frame..."


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That's the kind with the sloping top tube then? I've been away from bicycling for a long time, and they didn't used to make them that way. Top tubes used to be all horizontal. I guess the advantage to the sloping top tube is that I will now be able to fit on a larger frame that is more suitable to my overall size regardless of the fact that I have short legs.

Ah, so this new fangled gadgetry and goofy angles may be good for something after all!


I got my first bike in 2001 before all the fangled compact geometry came on the market. I got my first custom made bike in 2002 because it didn't fit right which I only discovered by riding for more than 1 hour.

These days, there are a number of options with the compact geometry. At my size, I'm used to spending more since 'off the rack' items never fit whether it be suits or bikes or whatever.

Long stems are also your friend.

Long stems are also your friend.


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Ya think? I didn't like them much. Moved me too far forward, put too much leverage on the handlebar stem... I used to be happier with a bigger frame, even tho I couldn't exactly straddle it.

LeMonds are also notable in this category. You'll likely do well in a compact frame a size too large according to most sizing metrics.