Mountain Biking - Advice for the TALL (6'8") non-RICH Mountain Biker

So, I have a dilemma.

First off, I am a 6'8" 265lbs Mountain biking addict (newly). I bought a cheap 21 inch frame mountain bike from Sports Authority, then broke it, then bought a 24" Hard tail TREK 8500 with 26" wheels. As I continued to ride, I found that the TREK was a bit off balanced on the 26" wheels, and me up so high in the air. Not to mention it looks odd with its big frame and little tires.

So, I got the wife to buy into the idea of me buying a $2500 bike :rolleyes:. I demo'd a 21 inch full suspension 29r, and with a few longer parts, it seems to be a 90% solution for my height.

Today my bike shop emailed me the following thoughts:

"I was thinking again last night about your fit and I wanted to take a look at another option. I called Gunnar 29er bikes and they make a 29 XXL frame for $800.00. This is a cr-moly (Steel) Hardtail frame. I do think the steel frame would be more compliant than alloy and with the 29er wheels it would feel more like a soft tail. The XXL works out to be 23". A full build would with disc brakes and Rockshox 29er fork would be $1299.99. (Happy wife price!) In addition you could run a Cane Creek Suspension seat post if you felt the hard tail was too stiff."

So, knowing my history, I would really appreciate any ideas on what I should do. I really want a full suspension, but I really want to fit on the bike as well. I looked into ZINN custom bikes, which would be perfect, if I had another 5K :mad: to blow on a bike (which I do not :(

Thanks for your time and advice!

Regards,
Greg

Riding all over Maryland now!

a steel frame with 29er wheels is not going to feel like a full suspension. Suspension seatposts are pretty worthless since they don't dampen the shock to your feet and you spend most of your time standing.

That said, if you're new to mtbing, why are you jumping into an expensive FS frame? Go for the hardtail.

Take a look at these folks!
http://www.ninerbikes.com/rip9.html Somewhat pricey I know

Good points. I know I am just a bit jealous of the normal sized people :eek: that can just buy the FS bikes. My partner started 2 weeks ago and now has a new FS Cannondale :-(

I am leaning towards the hard tail 29'r. I think it would do well for my fitness and fun riding.

Any other ideas welcome!!
thanks.

Greg

Good points. I know I am just a bit jealous of the normal sized people :eek: that can just buy the FS bikes. My partner started 2 weeks ago and now has a new FS Cannondale :-(

I am leaning towards the hard tail 29'r. I think it would do well for my fitness and fun riding.

Any other ideas welcome!!
thanks.

Greg

Specialized bikes tend to fit big. You could also just have a lot of crotch room. MTBikes don't need to fit as perfectly as a road bike for example. At 6'5 i am at the cust of not finding bikes that fit, but even so I still sometimes find bikes that fit too large.

Personally I am not a fan of 29ers. I don't like how they feel, but then again, I don't mind a small feeling bike.

are you saying you dont want to pay 1299.99 for the gunnar?

I am leaning towards the hard tail 29'r. I think it would do well for my fitness and fun riding.

Hey Greg. After reading your post (and the responses) a few times, I think the 29" HT is the call for you. It looks like a good fit, and it's certainly a very nice machine. It's not going to be like a FS bike in terms of sucking up the big hits on the trail. However, you'll learn more about how to handle a mtb on a hardtail vs. a FS steed.

Either way .... if you don't already know the rules of BikeForums .... you NEED to post a pic of your new machine here! :)

Good luck with your choice, Greg! (really, I doubt you can go wrong with either)

... Brad

are you saying you dont want to pay 1299.99 for the gunnar?

i have no issues paying up to 2500$. Just want thoughts on the choices.

i have no issues paying up to 2500$. Just want thoughts on the choices.

ok, get this one: http://cgi.ebay.ca/My-LITTLE-PONY-Ride-On-Electric-Quad-Bike-WOW_W0QQitemZ270167687031QQihZ017QQcategoryZ19025QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

very light & durable.

ok, get this one: http://cgi.ebay.ca/My-LITTLE-PONY-Ride-On-Electric-Quad-Bike-WOW_W0QQitemZ270167687031QQihZ017QQcategoryZ19025QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

very light & durable.

Nice try. You fail.

I'd be all over that 29" steel HT......but that's me :)

Dude, rock the Gunnar! That sounds like a fun ride right there and $1300 is reasonable. One thing I would recommend is big rotors (203 front and 185 rear). You're a big dude and will probably benefit from big grabbers.

i have no issues paying up to 2500$. Just want thoughts on the choices.

then i would get the gunnar, sounds like the best deal for a bike that would fit you

a steel frame with 29er wheels is not going to feel like a full suspension. Suspension seatposts are pretty worthless since they don't dampen the shock to your feet and you spend most of your time standing.

That said, if you're new to mtbing, why are you jumping into an expensive FS frame? Go for the hardtail.

If you have a good parallelogram seatpost (Thudbuster, Tamer) you'll find you can spend more time in the saddle.

Steel Gunner= cool paint job and great bike. Go for it.

29ers are not only for the tall

29ers are not only for the tall

I worked with the wife a bit, and got her to let me have more of my allowance (husband money) I bought the Niner R.I.P. 9 XL frame, with a complete high end package, including 180mm cranks, 110mm front shox, and lots of other goodies. I dropped a cool $3500 on it, and now it is so pretty I am scared to ride it :-)

Actually, I clipped in to it last night and it fit's perfectly. Of course the being clipped into the pedals was a strange feeling, as I have not done that before. Will take some getting use to it.

I strongly recommend the RIP 9 by Niner for anyone who is 6'5" to 6'8", with a few additions, like a riser bar, it is a great fit!

Nice pick up

Pics or it didn't happen!

29ers are not only for the tall

they should be

Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
And little eyes
And they walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
And they stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here

I worked with the wife a bit, and got her to let me have more of my allowance (husband money) I bought the Niner R.I.P. 9 XL frame, with a complete high end package, including 180mm cranks, 110mm front shox, and lots of other goodies. I dropped a cool $3500 on it, and now it is so pretty I am scared to ride it :-)

Actually, I clipped in to it last night and it fit's perfectly. Of course the being clipped into the pedals was a strange feeling, as I have not done that before. Will take some getting use to it.

I strongly recommend the RIP 9 by Niner for anyone who is 6'5" to 6'8", with a few additions, like a riser bar, it is a great fit!
PICS PICS PICS PICS!
You have to review the CVA rear suspension as to pedal bob and lateral stiffness for us ( I know you have no knowledge of other suspension systems but your a big guy so give us your take on it ) Oh did I mention we need PICS?

Pics to follow, just got it last night, and am at work now :-(

should have called in sick and ridden all day.

new bike = holiday.

So here you go. I left work early to race home and go for a ride like a little kid skipping school :D

I clipped and and went all over the place. Down a rock bed drain, through the woods, over logs, and back into a construction area. Tested the hell out of the suspension, it is just a silly fact that I felt like I was on a motorcross bike minus the engine. The Pedal Dam't sticker on the front of the fram is pretty funny too.

As for the CVA rear suspension as to pedal bob and lateral stiffness, I would not know how to convey that, as you mentioned. this is my first FS bike, so it is sort of the base line for me. If you could ask a question about the system, I can try to answer it though, like how it felt etc...

I feel super secure on the bike, with the 26" tires on my hard tail TREK 4500, I felt very wobbly way up in the air (and when I slipped out in a turn, I was very wobbly until I slammed into the ground at 19 mph).

Thanks again to everyone who posted a response. I actually found the frame and went the Niner route thanks to one of the posts.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee271/greggomez/fd236da1.jpg
:p
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee271/greggomez/IMG_3292.jpg
:D
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee271/greggomez/IMG_3293.jpg
:o
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee271/greggomez/IMG_3298.jpg
:eek:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee271/greggomez/IMG_3297.jpg

Holy schmolly I've never seen so many spacers between the stem and the headset. You must be a big dude. I'm 6'3" and wouldn't have thought another 5" would make that big a diff! I ride a Large (not even x-large) Titus Racer-x.
Looks like a very sweet ride. Enjoy it. Cheers

Yeah the bike shop was a bit perplexed when my tall, not skinny butt walked in. They did a great job researching the parts too, I have solid components, I hope they last for a long time to come.

So did you have the LBS build it up for you? What fork is that?

LBS? not sure about that one. The front shocks are Rock Shox Reba Race.

The Niner company built the fram and shipped it to my local Bike Doctor shop, where they sized it up for me and built it.

LBS = Local Bike Shop, Sorry it's an abbreviation we use alot on the forum.

Take a look at these folks!
http://www.ninerbikes.com/rip9.html Somewhat pricey I know



Oh, and thanks a ton, this is the post that lead me to Niner, and then again, I guess thats how I went from $2500 to $3500 too.... :mad:

JK, really appreciated the help.

LBS = Local Bike Shop, Sorry it's an abbreviation we use alot on the forum.

Ah ha, I play the mmropg World of Warcraft, we have many too :-) OMG, ROFL. But I am a NOOB with this new MTB lingo :-)

Hey question for you, on the new bike in the top of both the 2nd and third (front) gears, the de-railer gets hit by the chain a little bit. I know the adjustment is the 2 screws on the top of the unit, but which way do I turn them, :-( kind of guessing right now. Dont feel like going back to the LBS (yes I learn quick :-) to have them adjust it.

Ah ha, I play the mmropg World of Warcraft, we have many too :-) OMG, ROFL. But I am a NOOB with this new MTB lingo :-)

Hey question for you, on the new bike in the top of both the 2nd and third (front) gears, the de-railer gets hit by the chain a little bit. I know the adjustment is the 2 screws on the top of the unit, but which way do I turn them, :-( kind of guessing right now. Dont feel like going back to the LBS (yes I learn quick :-) to have them adjust it.
Actually those are the limit screws, they control the very outermost (large ring) and innermost (small ring) stop position, to keep the chain from falling off the rings. the adjustment for chain rub is usually the barrel adjuster on the cable just where the cable leaves the shifter. Sheldon Brown's website or Park tools .com have excellent information on this if you want to learn do-it-yourselfing. otherwise you can take it back to the shop and have them adjust it. Sometimes if you adjust it out on one end it will rub on the other end of the scale.

Appreciate it!

Congratulations on the new bike. By the way, if you find a good LBS - stick with them, they can be thin on the ground!

Damn, I'm 6'5" and only ride a large, but then again, i prefer small frames under me. I really like the ability to throw around the bike instead of having it throw me around (which is how I feel on a bike that "fits" me correctly).