Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 6'8" guy needs a bicycle - what has worked for you?

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Erick12
01-06-10, 01:23 PM
So I'm looking to buy a bike and this height issue is giving me some problems and I am getting some conflicting advice about what I need. I was wondering what other guys around my size have gotten to work for them. My inseam is about 37", if it helps.
About every bike store I've gone into has said what they have off the rack won't fit. I've had a 64cm Fuji Roubaix suggested to me by one guy salesguy, then 2 other people at the same store said it was too small, and while it would sort of work, it wouldn't be a good idea. One store wanted to special order me a 66cm cannondale frame (for a lot more than I wanted to spend) and another wanted to do an in-depth sizing to see if one of the 64cm bikes they could special order might work, but they weren't that hopeful. But I also have people telling me that a lot of adjustments can be done with extra long seatposts and other parts, and the frame doens't need to fit me that well off the rack. I originally wanted to spend around $1000.
I've also recently discovered custom bikes aren't quite as much as I thought they were ($2500 for cyclocross and $3300 for road/tri from Guru). But that's still more expensive than what I'm okay with spending (though that number that keeps going up every time I go looking and get frustrated at the lack of options).
I've been looking on craigslist and ebay for large used bikes but haven't found anything yet.
Why I want the bike: After having a lot of fun getting into running and making a lot of progress, me and my running buddy have decided we want to eventually do triathlons. I've also wanted a bike for a while just for riding around on some of the nice bike paths DC has, and perhaps for occasional commuting when the weather is better.
Thanks
bretgross
01-06-10, 02:11 PM
I feel your pain, brother.
I'm a short guy (only 6'4") and even I know how difficult it is to find anything that fits correctly.
I could be mistaken (having only my own experience to go by) but just about anything that you buy 'off the rack' is going to be money down the drain compared to buying a bike actually built for you. You'll save money up front (IF you can find something that can be 'adapted' for you) but later you'll wish that you had just waited a little longer and made only one purchase.
And you'll have a REALLY hard time finding a buyer for your used 'off the rack' bike -- as you know from trying to find one!
The major manufactures don't want to invest money building a few bikes for the 1-2% of the population that doesn't fit on what they do build.
Which brings us to the ultimate solution: a custom built bike based upon your measurements. Yes, it costs more up front. But it's likely to be the only bike you'll ever buy and... you'll enjoy riding it!
Here's a sample:
http://zinncycles.wordpress.com/
Good luck in your search.
Sassonian
01-06-10, 03:33 PM
Hi Erik.
I'm the guy in the blog article above.
I rode for a quite a few years on old steel bikes before finally deciding to go with a custom build. Wish I'd done it a while back. It's a revelation having a bike that fits properly and can handle my size and weight. As an example - I've been having to practice getting out of the saddle and sprinting as I was reluctant to do that on my old bikes that used to flex a lot.
Honestly - I was very nervous about spending that sort of money on a bike I'd never seen in the flesh - and one that employed so many "un standard" ideas. It was a bit of a leap of faith - but I'm extremely happy with the result.
Retrospectively the price is easy to justify :)
There's a few more photos of my bike here...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?183238-Post-Your-Titaniums/page51
Cheers
Adrian.
rschleicher
01-06-10, 04:37 PM
I'm only in the 6'4" to 6'5" range, and my inseam (for pants) is either 34" or 36", depending on the pants type/maker. (Measured from crotch to floor, for bike-sizing purposes, it is 37.5".) I recently bought a new bike, and in my shopping around I noticed that Trek makes some models in a 64 cm size, whereas other of their models top out at 62 cm. I ended up buying a 61 cm Scott (their XXL size), but in comparing dimensions to the Trek models, it seemed somewhere between a Trek 62 cm, and a Trek 64 cm. So it MAY be that Trek's 64 cm size will be large enough to work for you. In their geometry specs, Trek also lists a min and max seat height dimension for each frame size, which I believe is measured from the bottom bracket center to the top surface of the seat (along a line that is parallel to the seat tube). At least that is how I interpreted it.
(Trek's "64 cm" frame has an actual seat tube length of 61.3 cm (center of BB to top of seat tube), and min/max "seat height" of 78.5 to 88.5 cm.)
As mentioned above, my measured inseam for bicycle-sizing purposes (crotch to floor) was 37.5", or about 95 cm. Multiplying by .65 (some use .67) gave a rough frame size (seat tube length) of 62 cm. Multiplying my inseam by .88 gave a rough seat height (as described above) of 84 cm, which put me in the middle of the seat height range for a 64cm Trek frame. If your measured inseam to the floor is less than 100 cm (39 inches or so), the max. seat height for a Trek 64 cm frame may be enough for you. (My experience was that finding a 64 cm frame in stock at a trek dealer was pretty rare, though...)
On a side note, has anyone seen the bikes made by Rivendell, that have two top tubes? In order to support a really long head tube, and really long seat tube, they actually use two top tubes, separated by 8" or more. Sort of a trapezoid on top of the main triangle. They're pretty crazy looking, but presumably allow some very large frames for very tall people.
Antelope 70cm
01-06-10, 06:12 PM
I'm 6'9" and like mentioned above, custom maybe the only way to go. I don't think you will regret it if you do. The days of big factory bikes are gone. Years ago, 20+ I would guess, I had a 27" Univega {still have it** and a 28" Panasonic. Having a bike made for your measurements will make it easier for you to enjoy riding.
I'm like 6' 12" w/ 38" inseam and I crammed myself into a stock 25" Trek hybrid for a 2.5 years/7,500 miles. I bit the bullet a couple of years ago and got a custom bike from Co-Motion cycles (http://www.co-motion.com/). Great personal service! No regrets and absolutely no problems with the bike. I've got about 5,000 miles on it thus far.
Homeyba
01-06-10, 08:28 PM
I'm like 6' 12" w/ 38" ...
6'12"? isnt' that almost 7'??? :lol:
To the OP, I'd look at a custom. The last thing you want is to be scrunched into a bike that is too small.
DCTILLER
01-06-10, 08:49 PM
im 6'4" 36 inch inseam, ride a 62 cm cannondale caad4 and love it. i think cannondale goes up to 64cm also. the important thing is to get an lbs that will give you a fitting. i would suggest either a trek or a cannondale dealer. obviously custom would be awesome but everybody cant afford that.
good luck
LarDasse74
01-07-10, 05:54 AM
Find a shop that does custom fitting and pay to get measured, then use the results from that measurement to shop for stock bikes or, if nothing comes close, go custom. It is more expensive, but spending even $5 on a bike that does not fit is a waste of $5.
bretgross
01-07-10, 09:12 AM
Bingo!
This is one of those cases where (for the reasons I mentioned in my first reply) your worst enemy could be "good enough".
Find a shop that does custom fitting and pay to get measured, then use the results from that measurement to shop for stock bikes or, if nothing comes close, go custom. It is more expensive, but spending even $5 on a bike that does not fit is a waste of $5.
MilitantPotato
01-07-10, 10:41 AM
6'8" 101cm floor to pubic bone here. Bought a trek 7.3fx 25" bike due to the longer top tube length. Rode that around for a year, it works well enough for shorter rides of <15 miles, then everything starts hurting. I shopped around for a custom build, decided to go with a Rodriguez Custom. (http://www.rodcycle.com) Out of all the custom builders, they offered one of the best prices for a frame/fork. Deposit to frame being boxed for shipping took less than a month. Would of been less time, but they had started building bikes for the 09' season just before I submitted my order.
No extra stuff on the frame like pump braze ons, fancy head badges, spoke holders come standard though. They do weld on a beer opener, I love that thing.
The build quality, welding, paint, and customer service is amazing.
They were more than willing to build the bike as I wanted, with clearance for 210mm cranks, clearance for 32C tires, and a long chain stay.
A rim was bent during shipping, they rebuilt it and it was back at my house in less than a week, no charge. Their wheel builds are top notch, haven't needed a retruing after a year of hauling my 230lbs around.
Co-Motion is another popular custom builder, and they have some decent prices.
If you want to avoid the custom route, Rivendell has some very nice frames in XXL sizes. http://www.rivbike.com/ But they cost as much, or more than a custom build by Rod Cycles and a few others though.
PlatyPius
01-07-10, 10:49 AM
I don't see a post by Mike yet, but I'm sure he'll be here soon to extol the virtues of BikesDirect.com and the vast number of sizes they stock....
escii_35
01-07-10, 11:47 AM
I had a 27" Univega {still have it** and a 28" Panasonic.
I've seen a few low end stock 27" 70's to mid 80's Japanese bikes otherwise you are in custom land. Don't buy a good enough bike.
Erick12
01-07-10, 03:44 PM
Going custom seems to be developing into something of a consensus...
While I don't doubt that custom is money better spent, at some point its just not really possible to spend certain amounts of money. And at lower amounts, isn't that smart, even if possible. Who are the absolute lowest cost builders? One guy suggested I get a custom frame, then buy a bike from a store, swap out everything onto my frame, and then sell that frame, and that would be considerably cheaper than getting the complete custom bike from the builder.
Sassonian, it seems like Zinn is a little pricier than most. While someone who specializes in tall bikes may be better than a regular custom, it looks like the cheapest bike is something like $5000? That's definitely out of my price range, I'm really stretching it if I purchase something around $3000. Do you think you got a lot more from Zinn that you wouldn't have got from another custom builder? Maybe I could get the frame from him and put in cheaper parts and gradually replace them with higher quality and tall guy parts?
As mentioned above, my measured inseam for bicycle-sizing purposes (crotch to floor) was 37.5", or about 95 cm. Multiplying by .65 (some use .67) gave a rough frame size (seat tube length) of 62 cm. Multiplying my inseam by .88 gave a rough seat height (as described above) of 84 cm, which put me in the middle of the seat height range for a 64cm Trek frame. If your measured inseam to the floor is less than 100 cm (39 inches or so), the max. seat height for a Trek 64 cm frame may be enough for you. (My experience was that finding a 64 cm frame in stock at a trek dealer was pretty rare, though...)
Guess I should find out my inseam to the floor, more of a helpful number. I think one of the stores I was in thought a 64cm Trek might work, but didn't have one in store, though they could special order it. They wanted to do a custom fitting before bothering to order it, so...
Find a shop that does custom fitting and pay to get measured, then use the results from that measurement to shop for stock bikes or, if nothing comes close, go custom. It is more expensive, but spending even $5 on a bike that does not fit is a waste of $5.
I guess I'll go get that fitting.
Sassonian
01-07-10, 06:08 PM
Yep it was a bit of a gulp moment for me when I figured out the price. And I take an extra hit when I convert it to New Zealand dollars.
Without having had a bike from another custom builder - I can't honestly answer your question. Sounds like people with other bikes are satisfied also. What I can do, is vouch for the fact that his ideas work in the real world (and this was something that I was very worried about when ordering). The jump in performance and comfort has been amazing. The reason that I went with him was that as far as I know, he's the only one that specialises in bikes for tall riders and he has himself as a test pilot for all his ideas. So he knows intimately the issues for taller riders and what's worked for him.
Don't forget that the Titanium isn't the only option from Zinn - they do Magnesium and steel frames which are cheaper - Ti is an expensive material. I just had a look on their site and they do a custom Project Big Stelvio Cromoly frame for just over $2000. You could probably stay within your budget for a full build on one of these.
Adrian.
I'm like 6' 12" w/ 38" inseam
:lol:
Go dog Go
01-07-10, 08:54 PM
You don't need to spend 3-5K for a custom. Tsunami Bikes will build you a frame for $600. $350 for an Alpha Q fork with 400mm tube from Zinn and you'll be rolling a stiff custom frame/fork for 1K.
I'm 6' 9" 250# and I'm getting one...for $600 how can you go wrong?
http://www.tsunamibikes.com/Tsunami_Bikes/Road.html
The Gunnar Sport is an off-the-peg bike that's available in up to a 68cm.
http://www.gunnarbikes.com/sportspecs.php
Full frameset is a grand. Custom is 1250 or so. This is basically Waterford, owned by a dude named Schwinn. Yeah, that Schwinn.
These are the people that built Yao Min's custom bike, they know their stuff for tall people too.
jimblairo
01-07-10, 10:58 PM
I'm 6'61/2" with a 37" inseam (99 cm stand over) and I ride a 64 Specialized Roubaix. The Roubaix is extremely confortable but I had to use a seat post with a set back to get knee over pedal as I have very long femurs. The stem is stock.
Great bike and I'm sure it could be fitted to your size.
Go dog Go
01-08-10, 09:25 AM
The 68 on the Gunnar frames is the seat mast which has become a popular way on measuering ST lenght these days. That makes a 68 cm frame much shorter then when measured ctr. BB to ctr. TT.
The difference? You end up with a short head tube if you're buying it as a "68 cm frame"
Tall guy + short head tube for the size = stack spacers or big positive angle stem for many.
Guess it all depends on what someone's going to do with the bike....
I'm also 6'8", and I ride a 61cm Fuji Roubaix. I wear a 36" inseam on most of my jeans, but I also have some jeans with a 34" inseam. I feel like my bike fits great. When I was testing bikes out I almost bought a Cannondale CAAD9 5 63cm, but I got a better deal on the Fuji, and the fit felt the same as the Cannondale. I also tried out a 64cm Trek, but it was waaay too big for me so if a 61-63cm fram feels too small then you need to find a shop that has a 64cm Trek.
My Bike.-------> http://www.flickr.com/photos/32253363@N07/4247918451/
Go dog Go
01-09-10, 08:57 AM
I'm also 6'8", and I ride a 61cm Fuji Roubaix. I wear a 36" inseam on most of my jeans, but I also have some jeans with a 34" inseam. I feel like my bike fits great. When I was testing bikes out I almost bought a Cannondale CAAD9 5 63cm, but I got a better deal on the Fuji, and the fit felt the same as the Cannondale. I also tried out a 64cm Trek, but it was waaay too big for me so if a 61-63cm fram feels too small then you need to find a shop that has a 64cm Trek.
My Bike.-------> http://www.flickr.com/photos/32253363@N07/4247918451/
You have a side shot of you on that bike you could post? I'm just really curious to see how it looks. I'm only an inch taller, with a longer inseam and ride a custom 71.5 cm frame, 64 cm TT with a 130 mm stem
Here's a current pic of me on that 71.5 cm frame. I can't possibly conceive of someone 6' 7"+ on a 61 cm frame.....That's a 4" shorter ST.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2187/2763304/21631209/380350667.jpg
umpire54
01-09-10, 02:50 PM
Guys...I have a seriously killer tall bike (36" standover ) I can't use. It is an 81' Raleigh Competition GS with Campagnolo Gran Sport components. Dia Compe brakes. It is nice. I would like $450.00 for the bike plus shipping which should be approx. $65.00. See pic through my Flickr link below: (mind you...the flash and the silver paint did not show the actual color of silver well)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/umpire54/sets/72157622110491209/
The bike is in fantastic shape and is one fine ride. I have new burgandy wine colored bar tape for it. I left the original tape on it so far because I love the vintage look to it...but am covering it with the burgandy tape soon. I don't have the heart to take off the old tape...I would let the final owner do that. The paint scrape on the front fork is about the worst place on it and I will touch it up before selling. I have this thing about history...and like to relish in originality until I finally decide to clean up a bike. You can see my other sets on Flickr and tell that this is true.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/umpire54/sets/
I am 5'10" and got so excited when I found it on CL because I had been reading about Raleighs and did not have a Campy component bike at the time...it was my first and rides like the wind.
I have been torn on selling it until I read this thread. I want it to go to a good home. I have enjoyed riding this bike so much...once I am on it(somebody's gonna get hurt...and that's me!). Starting...stopping just isn't a good idea to keep riding it when it is 4 1/2" too tall for me. I have since learned that "FIT" is the key to fun biking. I see tall guys have a tough time finding the right fit too. Maybe this bike is for you. I am in no hurry to sell. If any one is interested IM me and I will get back with you. Thanks!
LarDasse74
01-10-10, 08:55 AM
The bike is in fantastic shape and is one fine ride.
It is hard to tell from the photos, but is it possible the fork is bent a bit from a head-on collision? In both the full-side-profile shot and the fork crown detail shot it certainly looks like the fork is slightly bent backwards. Very hard to tell for certain from the photos, tho.
thsevlie
01-10-10, 10:03 AM
I'm 6' 7" with a 36" inseam and I've been happy riding 62cm-64cm frames. I took a (used) 1998 63cm Bianchi Eros cross-country last summer and didn't have any trouble until I cracked the seat tube above the BB weld...oops. The frame fit great with a tall seatpost and I enjoyed riding it.
If I ever go custom steel I'll have it fully lugged, though.
You have a side shot of you on that bike you could post? I'm just really curious to see how it looks. I'm only an inch taller, with a longer inseam and ride a custom 71.5 cm frame, 64 cm TT with a 130 mm stem
Here's a current pic of me on that 71.5 cm frame. I can't possibly conceive of someone 6' 7"+ on a 61 cm frame.....That's a 4" shorter ST.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2187/2763304/21631209/380350667.jpg
Here's a shot of me on the rollers this morning. My baggy clothes hide me a bit, but I don't wear only lycra when I ride. I prefer baggy clothes like when I'm on my MTB.
I'm perfectly comfortable on this bike. I rode a solo century this year and averaged a hair under 20mph, and I never stopped to take a break. When I bought my bike everyone tried forcing me on 63cm and 64cm frames, but I just wasn't comfortable so I went with what felt best to me.
dizzy101
01-10-10, 07:39 PM
I suggest ordering from a European company. Either Canyon (http://www.canyon.com/_en/) or Red Bull (http://roseversand.com/output/controller.aspx?cid=57). They both have 66cm size frames, for about $2000-$2500. (The aluminum models, that is.)
The bikes they sell are proper road racing bikes. And they look like racing bikes.
Many of the custom bike makers cater towards the recreational rider (not all, but many). This includes Zinn--I can't imagine someone racing on a bike with a gargantuan headtube and 25cm cranks.
dizzy101
01-10-10, 07:58 PM
Here's a pic of a 66c Canyon.
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8240/metingzadel.jpg (http://img696.imageshack.us/i/metingzadel.jpg/) http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/metingzadel.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img696/metingzadel.jpg/1/)
Go dog Go
01-10-10, 08:18 PM
sixate, Thanks for the pix. I was just curious.
Go dog Go
01-10-10, 08:22 PM
...... This includes Zinn--I can't imagine someone racing on a bike with a gargantuan headtube and 25cm cranks.
I think it's safe to say only ridiculous percentage of people are 6' 6" or over.........about 1% of North American males. How many of those people RACE bicycles. I think he knows his market.
Sassonian
01-10-10, 08:50 PM
I suggest ordering from a European company. Either Canyon (http://www.canyon.com/_en/) or Red Bull (http://roseversand.com/output/controller.aspx?cid=57). They both have 66cm size frames, for about $2000-$2500. (The aluminum models, that is.)
The bikes they sell are proper road racing bikes. And they look like racing bikes.
Many of the custom bike makers cater towards the recreational rider (not all, but many). This includes Zinn--I can't imagine someone racing on a bike with a gargantuan headtube and 25cm cranks.
OK - I'll bite :)
What does the size of the headtube or crank lenth have to do with weather a bike can race or not? Isn't performance the key attribute?
My bike is primarily a race bike - I belong to a club and race on it - every week.
Just because it doesn't look like other racing bikes means it's not a proper racing bike? It's completely built around the crank length and what hip angles will work for someone my size with those sized cranks. It's all about getting the most power on the road and he set's up the geometry to enable you to do that. And that means using the long levers that is one of the few advantages that tall riders have - and hence the long cranks.
It's hugely stiff and I can get up out of the saddle and sprint on it without any qualms about frame flex that I had with my old frame (or snapping a frame tube - which I've done twice on my old steel bikes). The only problem I've had is running out of gears at the sharp end of races, in the 53/12 because the long cranks enable me to get on top of this gear easier. (I'm getting an 11 which should solve this problem)
The long cranks mean I can accellerate way better and that means I can stay with surges that used to drop me.
And I can climb incredibly better mainly because of the long cranks.
All attributes that you'd want in a proper racing bike I'd suggest??
:)
Adrian.
PS It leaves my old bike which had a smaller headtube and was a "proper" dimensioned racing bike for dead. It honestly feels like I'm riding a kids bike when I ride that bike with it's 175mm cranks.
dizzy101
01-10-10, 11:18 PM
Well, all I'm saying is that the bigger frames from the brands I mentioned have standard geometry. I've seen a few Zinn frames with non-standard geometry. Now, it might be true that this geometry is superior for certain uses. I don't know--I guess time will tell.
One example would be the saddle to handlebar drop. Roadies like the handlebars to be a few inches below the saddle, and with such a long headtube that is more difficult to accomplish. (Although you could perhaps use a stem with a downward angle.)
These long cranks are also somewhat controversial. It's true that crank arms should be proportional, but 210 is really quite long. There are a bunch of threads on crank arm length in other the subforums, and if you're taller perhaps 185 or even 190 are appropriate. But anything over 20cm is--again--non-standard.
Go dog Go
01-11-10, 05:40 AM
The world is flat.
Sassonian
01-11-10, 01:57 PM
Time doesn't need to tell for me.
The handlebar drop on my bike IS a few inches - 3.2inches to be exact. Granted this isn't as much as on my old bike with it's proper geometry - but I only ever spent a very limited time in the drops on that bike as it simply wasn't comfortable. I can and do now spend time in the drops - including sprinting in the drops. But its also a custom build - so you can order whatever handlebar drop you think is appropriate - as with any custom build. I went with Zinn's recommendation as he's been doing this stuff for 25 years and knows what works for big guys - and what hip angles suit the long cranks best.
It's true that crank arms should be proportional, but 210 is really quite long.
So they should be proportional but not really?
I've seen the threads about long cranks - and it seems to me that those that decry them the most are those that haven't had any experience with them.
Doesn't a non-standard solution for a non-standard sized person make sense? It's certainly worked for me - in a major way.
dizzy101
01-12-10, 09:24 AM
I've seen the threads about long cranks - and it seems to me that those that decry them the most are those that haven't had any experience with them.
Those are all good points. I really wish longer cranks would be cheaper and more easily available--that would allow for more experimentation. It's practically impossible to find a crank that's longer that 180 for, say, less than $400-500. One would hate to think many people ride with a sub-optimal crank length due to non-availability.
There are a few professional cyclists in the 6'7"-6'8" range (Ryan Trebon, some Ukrainian track cyclist whose name I forget), and they've used cranks in the 177.5mm-190mm range. Now, these folks make a living off of riding bikes, so you would think they do their research.
I would definitely like to try out cranks with > 20cm arms, see how it feels, but it's too bad prices are so prohibitive.
Go dog Go
01-12-10, 09:38 AM
I would definitely like to try out cranks with > 20cm arms, see how it feels, but it's too bad prices are so prohibitive.
Check your crank/chainstay clearance Clarence first if you do. The longest I could run on my Spectrum is 190....
dizzy101
01-12-10, 12:12 PM
Check your crank/chainstay clearance Clarence first if you do. The longest I could run on my Spectrum is 190....
Yeah, you're right. If your cranks are too long, either your heel will start hitting the chainstay, or the actual crank arm will be touching the chainstay. The former can be fixed by getting pedal axel extenders, but the latter is not so easily circumvented.
yankintx
01-12-10, 02:40 PM
I'm 6.6" but also have a 37 inch inseam ang I've been riding a Fuji Roubaix RC since July. The bike is a perfect fit with a 64cm frame. I'd try one otu if you haven't done so yet.
Barrettscv
01-12-10, 03:17 PM
Consider Soma: http://www.somafab.com/extrasmoothie.html
The Smoothie ES is available in a 66cm size.
I have a size 60cm Double Cross, It's a great bike;
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/Somasilver019.jpg
Go dog Go
01-12-10, 08:05 PM
Fuji 64 and Soma 66 both have with 61 cm TT. No love for me as I roll with a 64 and may go a bit longer on my next frame.
StanSeven
01-12-10, 08:13 PM
I'm like 6' 12" w/ 38" inseam and I crammed myself into a stock 25" Trek hybrid for a 2.5 years/7,500 miles. I bit the bullet a couple of years ago and got a custom bike from Co-Motion cycles (http://www.co-motion.com/). Great personal service! No regrets and absolutely no problems with the bike. I've got about 5,000 miles on it thus far.
I'm like not so good with math. First of all only teen age girls say like. Second 12" = 1 foot.
tahoward
01-12-10, 08:38 PM
I just picked up a 68cm SR steel frame from the early 80s on Craigslist for $20. I'm building it up for my nephew who is 6-10. I'm 6-2 and can barely throw my leg over this beast. I have sourced some long cranks and am on the lookout for other bits. Soma Fabrications also has an extra long, 11-inch stem riser which will get those handlebars way up there. Paired with a long stem and perhaps a setback seat post, I think this bike should work for him to cruise around Denver. He took my old mountain bike to college and rode it quite a bit, even though it was much to small for him. I plan on building up some decent rims in case he wishes to go the custom route and swap out the parts.
jkmartin
01-15-10, 08:58 PM
If anyone's looking, I have one of the aforementioned 28" Panasonics on Craiglist right now.
http://fayar.craigslist.org/bik/1549928223.html
The $250 I'm asking just represents what I spent on it to make it rideable. Not even charging you for the 2 days it took to get the seatpost out or the 3 days it took to remove the stem. Because I love you all so much I'll even throw in shipping for free.
bigfred
01-15-10, 10:25 PM
Eric,
I'm 6'5", don't have my cycling inseam handy, but ride a 63 cm cannondale frame. Just barely. Long seatpost and 140 stem flipped positive. I would probably fit more comfortably on one of their rare 66cm's. The 66's are built in short runs and not a stock item.
In the past I've had a 6'7" housemate who also managed to ride stock frames. Although he eventually ended up owning all custom built frames. His tricks were to use extra set back blocks on mountain bike seatposts and simply had custom stems made.
Custom would be ideal, but, you can probably still find a reasonable fit on the largest of stock frames. Look for those that build large frames but more importantly, have longer top tubes, like the aforementioned Cannondale, trek, etc. 180 cranks would also be recommended, but, these only come in the higher end component level, Dura Ace or Record. Even longer cranks are available, but, as already stated are expensive and start to run into frame clearance issues unless custom built for.
get a tadpole trike and extra low gears... make sure that it's not one of those flexable wimpy trikes. read my blog, and eat salad!!
A Light foot trike or bike is the best! http://www.lightfootcycles.com/ but their seats are not good, they need a rans seat.
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