TommyL

I'm trying to keep my eyes peeled for a late 70's, 80's or early 90's road bike with which to begin my next project. The problem is that I want to find a frame that is 64cm, 65cm, or maybe even more. I keep seeing bikes I like, but don't know whether or not I should even bother lusting after them because I don't know if they even made my size (for example, the Bridgestone RB-1).

Who made big bikes? What should I be looking for? Thanks,

Tommy

cudak888 

This 64cm Guerciotti answer your question?

-Kurt

MajorA

You might need to go 62 or 63; see Peugeot below. I've got a Raleigh, an Austro-Daimler, and and a Bob Jackson about the same size. I'm 6'4", and it's a good size for me ...

redneckwes

Schwinn made some big monsters. I think this frame is 63.5-64cm

well biked

+1 on Schwinns. It wasn't uncommon to find 27" frames in their lineup.

redxj

A number of the Japanese brands (Panasonic, Centurion, etc.) made big sizes as well as Schwinn. I have a had a couple of 65cm Schwinns pass through my hands.

Radfahrer

I had the same problem (I'm 6'5") so I am always on the lookout! So far, eBay seems to offer the best prospects, but prices/shipping/condition/etc. always make me leery. My only bike purchase on eBay was a bit messy, but turned out OK after I developed some more gray hair.

Still looking for a 65cm Motobecane Grand Touring or Grand Record myself!

TommyL

Right now I own a 63cm Trek 1500. I love it and it fits me pretty good. That being said, I know if it was bigger it would only be an improvement. I really enjoy just working on the bikes, but the next one I fix to keep for myself I want to be nice and huge.

Thanks for your help, everyone! The more I'm aware of, the better.

TommyL

I forgot to mention I'm 6'6"

McDave

Price is a bit high on this one but it's a fine bike in your size...

https://cgi.ebay.com/1989-Schwinn-Voy...mZ230168530045

redxj

That is a 23" frame with 27" wheels. I am also 6'6' and ride 25" (63cm) frames because they are a little easier to find. All of mine I have to upgrade the seat post because the old road seatposts are no where close to long enough and I generally run a 120-130 stem on them as well. I do have one Schwinn (Le Tour) in a 26" frame size that I plan to get powdercoated and built up as a around town/commuter fixed gear. I could probably leave it unlocked because almost no one could be able to ride it away successfully to steal it.

McDave

Oops.. you're right, not a 27", though the headtube looks longer than one from a 23". More like a 25" frame, imo.

roccobike

Nishiki made some large frame bikes. I keep finding the darn things on ebay and have to pass cause I'm just a little'un at 5'9".

Noah Scape

Here's a couple of production bikes in 66cm

1972 Lygie - Italian
531 frame and fork.




1978 Woodrup - English
531 frame and fork.

MajorA

This is a whole bike, not just a frame, and some ******* is gonna bid itup to something over $250 ... but even so:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Centurion-Elite-...QQcmdZViewItem

TommyL

Hilarious. My Trek is pretty nice, but my fears about theft are also constrained to somebody picking it up and throwing it in the back of their truck!

barndoor

TommyL

I have two complete 80's 27" framed Schwinn Travelers, an 80's Panasonic DX2000 frame/fork 71cm that I would be willing to part with.....for a fellow non-vertically challenged cyclist .....

PM me if you're interested....the price is right....

rschleicher

When I bought my Raleigh Super Record (in 1980) I got the 25" frame (63 cm, more or less). But I could have ordered a 27" frame - a whopping 68 cm!

I'm 6' 4", or a bit more, and with the 63 cm frame I need a moderately long seat post. I could have gone with the 27" frame, but it looked a little bizarre in terms of proportions, and also would have weighed more. I'm glad I stuck with the 25", but folks who are in the 6' 7" category (NBA small forward or above) might appreciate a 27" frame...

Lamplight

If there is any possible way, you must post a picture of this beast!

Noah Scape

Trek and Raleigh produced a lot of 25-1/2" (65cm) frames. I have seen Gitanes and Peugeots in 65cm. I occasionally see older Italian 65-66cm frames.

I'm 6'6" and I generally prefer a 66cm (26") frame. I'm always on the lookout for that size. There is a prevailing view that tall frames go cheap because there are fewer tall people and the demand is low. After years of chasing down tall frames, I'm convinced that those of us in the freakishly tall club are so desperate and the supply is so limited that they often go for more money than more common sizes.

Bikedued

I know where to get a 27 inch Fuji Sagres, and it's only an average price of $125. Let me know if you're interested.,,,,BD

etherhuffer 

One thing to look at when you get a tall frame is not just the size, but the wheelbase. I am a lazy ass slacker and always liked a longer wheelbase for the comfort of the ride. I don't like twitchy handling. You should be able to smoke a spleef, chug a Czechvar and still have the ability to cruise and not crash!

I am working on a Raleigh R300 and a Voyageur 11.8. Note that both are 25" but the Raleigh has a 41.75 wheelbase the and Voyageur a strait 40". I can tell you that the Raleigh will be the beer buzz bike, the Voyageur the caffeine bike. I have found 43" wheelbases and you would be shocked at how comfy and forgiving they feel.

McDave

My first thought when I saw that the 25" Voyageur 11.8 has a 40" wheelbase was "that can't be right... it's too stable!". But I measured and you are right!

I have a 23" Ross Professional with a 42" wheelbase that is a treat to ride... heavy gaspipe frame and all.

But the wheelbase winner in my small collection is the 20" Schwinn High Sierra "All Terrain Touring" slash Mountain bike with a 43 1/4" WB. Building it up as a loaded touring bike was a wise/lucky choice.

ACD

I had a 27" Schwinn World Sport. As you can see it was a bit too tall for my fat self. I gave it too my neighbor to use. There's a 27" Centurion on Maine Craig's List right now for $100. There out there.




Aaron

Yogurt

If anyone's around 6'3" or 6'4" in this thread, I'm just wondering what your standover/inseam is. I sometimes think my legs are a bit short. (From the floor, with my feet about 6" apart, the distance to my crushables is about 35".)