General Cycling Discussion - Are there any current mfr's making a 64/65/66cm bike anymore?

Or, are they a thing of the past? Jebus, bikes in these sizes are nearly impossibly to find. Any mfr's do "special order" on them anymore? I'm 6'ft 6", and man, I'm having a hard time finding any bikes that fit.

Also, what is a "drop" or "drops"? I've seen the term(s) used, but have no idea what it means, nor do I "Lugged Bike", what exactly does that mean?

Rivendell makes a couple. I'm sure there's more. Drops are the lower portion of the classic "ten speed" handlebars.

Some Bikesdirect models are available in 64 and 65cm sizes. I have a 65cm Windsor Touring bike from them and used to ride a 64cm aluminum road bike from them and I'm 6'6" as well. Now I just make due with standard 61/62/XL frames from 'major' vendors and just use longer seatposts and stems.

Or, are they a thing of the past? Jebus, bikes in these sizes are nearly impossibly to find. Any mfr's do "special order" on them anymore? I'm 6'ft 6", and man, I'm having a hard time finding any bikes that fit.

Also, what is a "drop" or "drops"? I've seen the term(s) used, but have no idea what it means, nor do I "Lugged Bike", what exactly does that mean?
You could look into getting a custom frame built.
A frame that is the wrong size won't ever be the right size. Using things like longer seat-posts and taller stems is cheaper, but won't make it feel the way it should.
A custom frame will not be cheap, but since you are an adult (and probably won't be growing any taller) you will be able to use the same size frame for a very long time.

"Lugged" is a type of frame construction--usually straight steel tubes brazed into formed steel corner pieces.

"Drop" or "drops" could refer to more than one thing with frame construction.

A builder and Big Guy : http://zinncycles.com/Zinn/index.php/archives/1465
has a 'Project Big' series .. might be time to hire something built to fit..

Bruce Gordon is another Tall Guy who Builds Bikes.
http://www.bgcycles.com/

If you go to your local bike shop, and ask they will educate you on bicycles in general
[..I take it you are a newby on modern bikes.. ]
and may have a tall frame size, complete Bicycle, available to work for you,
though they may not have it in stock.

... I'm 6'6" as well. Now I just make due with standard 61/62/XL frames from 'major' vendors and just use longer seatposts and stems.

This is great if it works for you, but I'd advise against ordering a frame with the expectation that it will. I'm only 6'4", and I rode 62cm frames for years because that was all I could find. Long posts and stems helped, and I thought I was about as comfortable as I was supposed to be on a bike.
When I bought a Rivendell Atlantis for my midlife crisis a few years ago (couldn't afford a Porsche...), Riv's sizing guide put me on a 65. I ordered reluctantly, thinking it would be too big, but it changed my life. On the very first ride, before I fine-tuned everything, I could spend 50 percent more time in the saddle without discomfort.
As other posts have said, "drop" is usually a measurement on the handlebars, but it has another meaning, too: It's the distance from an imaginary line drawn between the two axles down to the bottom bracket, where the crankset goes through the frame. It has a fairly subtle, but noticeable, effect on handling.

Flat bars (with bar-end extentions):
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/10SportXRS/DSCI1649.jpg

Drops:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/11SportXRS/DSCI2204.jpg

Check out Soma, I believe they still offer their ES in a 66 cm frame.

Where's the BIG big guy who races and got a big frame built for him? He posted in the Road subforum (I think) about it sometime last year.

There's big bikes, and then there are properly-dimensioned big bikes that handle correctly. You'll see pictures of some that have the same length of chainstay as any other bike (NBA player Bill Walton's bike is a notable one), which puts the saddle almost directly over the rear axle because of the sheer length of the seat tube. Then you have smart builders (Zinn might be the one in this case) who lengthen the chainstays so the rider's weight is positioned between the wheels just as on a more normal-sized bike, and the word is that they handle great.

"drop" has to do with the bottom bracket. "drops" are the handlebars.


My jamis road bike is a 62. I'm less than happy with the fit, but I have not yet been able to make investments in different seat posts and stems. My 66cm Panasonic fits me beautifully. I'm 6'4".

Why not grab a used frame and invest in a sweet build?

I just looked at the Fuji Touring. In 58CM & 64CM this year. KHS had their touring and two cyclocross bikes,, 23" was their largest size, for all three. Chris

There are some decent vintage frames out there in the larger sizes. I have a Dawes that is a 64cm that is from around 1974. I ride somewhere between 62-65cm depending on the geometry. I am 6'-2" with long arms and legs. There are several semi-custom/custom builders out there, but be prepared to pay a price.

Aaron :)

Where's the BIG big guy who races and got a big frame built for him? He posted in the Road subforum (I think) about it sometime last year.


He rides a Zinn.

I'm 6'5" but I'm fortunate to be flexible and comfortable on small(for tall guys) frames. I have a typical 62(new) and typical 67(old), the 67 is a stock frame and does not handle well compared to the smaller frame. A large bike like that would be better from someone like Zinn

Here's a closeout on some huge De Rosa frames:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/adventure/21473_d-bikes-and-bike-frames/2231G_p-de-rosa-idol-road-bike-frame-set-full-carbon/