MajorA

I've just gotten back into road riding after several (and I mean SEVERAL) years off. I'm on a mid-level lugged steel Japanese bike made in 1987 and it's making me quite happy, but I drool over the craftsmanship which I see in the traditional lugged steel frames from Italian and French makers.

Here's the catch: I'm 6'4", 207, and my current bike has a 63cm frame that fits me just fine. However, in looking around out there, it seems like most Italian and French makers never made a stock frame over about 60cm. In this a correct perception? If so, is there a maker who was/is known for making frames in the 62-64cm range?

Dr.Deltron

Sorry you didn't post this a few months ago. I found a beautiful pre-Raleigh Carlton with a 27"(?) frame that I got for ....$35 at a garage sale! It was way too big for me so I ended up selling it. ( for $400).
If it had been closer to my size, it would still be in the stables.
I have the buyers name/address, maybe he's up for selling it. PM me if you're interested.

PTB

And remember that Japanese frames of this vintage were of particularly fine quality. Some of the best bikes in the mid-80s were Japanese, including the Paramount and the Miyata 1000. While most of us can only dream about owning such a bike, the point is, don't scoff at the Japanese quality.

Your Japanese bike might not have the same cool factor that the European makes have, but its probably still very good.

Poguemahone

Amoung others, I've personally had Peugeots, LeJeunes, Lousion Bobets, Follis, Gitanes, etc. in 62-3cm. Stock frames. They're out there, in numbers; you just haven't found any yet. Keep looking.

pastorbobnlnh 

I have a 64cm (I think?) Miyata cromoly frame, you could have for the cost of shipping. Needs paint but it would look great for vintage project.

TheOtherGuy

Go on eBay and contact member 65cm! He's a friend of mine, and I know he's got some very nice, very interesting Euro frames that he's not riding... Last time I was over there I spotted an AD Superleicht languishing in the garage corner... I think it was around 62-64cm... He's got others that size as well; some VERY nice stuff.

MajorA

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm certainly not complaining about the current ride (it's a *probably* Maruishi-made Tange tubing frame, full Shimano 105 group with SLR brakes and downtube index shifters) but I guess there's just part of me that loves the look of highly detailed lugs, chrome forks and a traditional leather saddle. Maybe it's because I started road riding as a kid in 1971 (Raleigh Super Course, Reynolds straight gauge tubing, cottered steel cranks ... what a beast it was ...) and the guys I rode with spoke of Campy components and Columbus tubing in hushed, reverent tones, like we would never be worthy of such greatness, let alone be able to afford it.

And no sooner had I posted this than a cool-looking 62cm Motebecane frameset with Nervex lugs got sold on eBay ... a bit spendy at about $200, but it's a message that they're out there. Maybe not as common as 54cm and 56cm, but they're out there.

Thanks again.

Poguemahone

I bid on a moto le champion in that size last month. It went for about 350, full Campy excepting SL crank. Look for full bikes, they tend to be less than frame plus parts. Some scumbucket (okay, probably a nice guy, but it's easy to demonize on the internet) outbid me....

redxj

Be on the lookout and be patient, you have a fully functioning ride now. You never know what you might come across on Ebay, CL, thrift store, or a garage sale. An example which I know is not European, but I bought a big (25" frame) Schwinn Paramount P13 with full campy components, a P14 Paramount Track frame/fork/headset/cranks/BB (also 25"), and a very large box of old various road parts for a song from a guy. He actually found me as I was getting ready to go for a ride on my old Falcon fixed gear conversion. From what I have seen Schwinn made a lot of big frames (I know still not European). I have had 6 62cm+ Schwinns come through my hands. I am 6'6" btw so I really like big frames.

Noah Scape

Here's a 66cm Italian Lygie. I think most french bikes topped out at about 25" (63.5 ct), but I have seen 65cm Gitanes. There are plenty of old English bikes in the 64-66 range.

John E

Contact Jim ("64cm") Cunningham at Cycl-Art.