MilitantPotato

Well, seems I'm stuck.

I'm 6'8.5 and 250lbs. I'm not able to get a LBS to order one, without a hefty non-refundable deposit, so a test ride is out.

Would I be able to get a comfortable fit on the 62cm frame? My recommended size is a 68cm C-T frame, with a 62.5-63cm Effective TT, at least according to competitivecyclist.com's calculator.

Here's my measurements:
Inseam: 38.5
Trunk: 28.25
Forearm: 16.25
Arm: 30

txvintage

Dropping from a 68 to a 62 is a really big jump. I think you would be really be jammed in.

I'm not 100% sold on Competitive Cyclists calculator, but it is probably ball park.

I feel for you really tall guys, there aren't a lot of options. This may sound kind of strange, but many of the older bikes came in some outrageously tall sizes. OK, outrageous to those of who hang out at 5'11"
65 cm frames are pretty common in a lot of older bikes and would be a heck of a lot closer to try and finagle into your fit. You could get an older frame set and build it up.

Hopefully some of the taller guys will chime in on what they are riding and where they got them. Another possibility is to drop in on the touring forum. Those guys have all kinds of sources for touring frames.

I'll try and do some surfing around later this evening and see if I can dig up some info. One thing is for sure, if there are any frame 2007 or 2008 frame sets out there, they should be marked down pretty nicely I would think. As you are learning, they probably don't sell a ton of them.

andymac

I am 6'7" and have been off and on looking for a road bike and have not found a 62cm frame bike that has fit well. I have a commuter built on a 64cm mountain bike frame with a long stem that fits quite well.
I also have a Kona Dew Deluxe in a 62cm and need to run a long seatpost and a significant rise for the stem in order to achieve a reasonable fit. I would think that you should be looking at a 64cm or taller but it is going to vary by bike so you do really need to try them out.

MilitantPotato

Thanks for the advice. I managed to come up with a 25" 7.3fx a month or two back, it fits for the most part, the bars could be a few inches farther out and higher, but then handling goes out the window. It's already squirely, tall frames aren't sized up correctly from the looks of it. The frame twists a good inch when I put the pedal down, I don't see this aluminium frame lasting too long.

I'll cross post in touring, sounds like a good idea.

andymac

I tried a Trek 7.5FX when I bought my Kona, the geometry appeared similar on paper but the bikes were very different when it came to riding them, the Trek had a much more upright feel to it.

Mazama

I'm 6' 12" and I crammed myself on a 25" Trek 7200 for a couple of years. After that I got fitted for a custom Mazama by Co-Motion cycles. They will custom build any of their single bikes to your taste. Their customer service is great and they don't charge TOO much.

MilitantPotato

Does that bike shimmy badly at high speed? How much flex are you getting on a hard climb?


Has anyone tried the Smoothie ES? It's ~$400. Although, it doesn't look to be suited for touring, or any abuse really.

Mazama

What is, "High Speed?" My nuts govern me to 25 MPH.

No flex on the hills that I climbed.

MilitantPotato

I'd say 30ish plus qualifies for high speed, for me at least. It's a long way down, the darwin alarms kick in earlier as I get older.

Galls

I am 6'5"/6'6" depending on the day/shoe. Anyway I have never actually ridden a bike that properly fits so I have no clue what a proper bike feels like.

So anyway back to the relevant parts, I had been thinking about a soma build, to the point where I have the LBS create an estimate for a 66cm ES. Today they talked me out of it due to price, aside from that the realistic differences in size between a surly cross check and a ES are marginal at best, especially in the top tube. So if you got money to burn, based on my experience today and your greater height, I cannot say it would be such a huge relief over other bikes.

dscheidt

Bikes have gotten smaller because everyone wants to pretend that they're on a racing bike. Racers ride small bikes, because they're faster. Comfort is not a factor, just producing power, so sales of larger frames went down. Quite a number of the small makers still offer big frames, and so do the custom guys, if you've got the moneyl.

exploring

FYI, there is a 67cm Center to Top Cannondale aluminum touring bike from Nebraska on ebay now. https://cgi.ebay.com/CANNONDALE-ROAD-...d=p3286.c0.m14

LarDasse74

Odd... I look at that picture and it looks to have very similar proportions (head tube length vs. wheel size esp.) as my 64 cm steel road bike... the Cannondale even looks a little smaller... possibly the fatter aluminum tubes are decieving my eye???

I ride a 64cm steel road bike, a 22" ti mountain bike, and a 24" touring bike... the problem is that I sort of bought the touring frame sight-unseen (I didn't pay much so its ok) but since it is actually a hybrid frame i figured 'my mountain bike is 22", 24" will be big enough, and I can modify the stem to make it fit' After I set it up with drop bars, though, it occurred to me that 24" is actually only 60cm, so the bike is 4cm (about 2 sizes) smaller than my road bike (which fits like a glove). A few spacers and a longer stem and the hybrid/touring now fits good too (my most ridden bike for a couple of years now) but I should have looked harder for a better fitting frame.

I am 6'4", and I know that if i want a good fitting bike I either need to get very lucky with an off-the-rack (I know what dimensions I need and looking through bike catalogues is usually pointless), or buy custom. If I were 6'8" I would not waste my time looking for mass-manufactured bikes - call a few custom builders and see what they can do for you. Test rides are generally not possible (the bike does not exist until you order it and put $$$ down) but reputable builders know how to make a bike that will fit you properly.

Edit: if there are some builders close to where you are it may be possible to try out some larger bike he has in the works or maybe demo bikes... I don't know if this is common or not, though...it doesn't hurt to ask.

GreenRiver

I'm 6'6", 215 Lbs. I have an '05 Specialized Roubaix that has worked well for me. It's my first road bike, so I can't compare it to other bikes, but I really like it. I was 250 Lbs when I started out with it. By the way, I have a pair of Sidi shoes in size 51 S (these work for my 16 B's). I think that they go up to size 52 as well - not sure though. Good luck with it.

InTandem

I am 6'8", 230 lbs, 41" inseam and have been in the retail bike business for 33 yrs. I have had several touring bikes built for me and have used them all over the world. I might be able to give you some insights that our shorter, lighter compatriots are not aware of. Call Rincon Cycles 805-684-9466 (CA) and ask for Dennis. 10a to 5:30p

socalrider

I would look at a surly cross check.. they have a 62cm frame but would ride more like a 64cm.. Cross bikes are built with more ground clearance so you normally order a size smaller than normal due to this design.. In your case this works in your favor.. Many people ride the cross checks because they are such a versatile frame.. You can use either 130mm or 135mm rear wheels.. They are a nice solid steel frame.. I have personally used mine off road and for some light touring.. The new models come with front and rear eyelets and if you go to the touring forum you will see many people use them for fully loaded touring.. Mopst shops can get them and it can be built to your specs.. I had mine built with Ultegra triple with XT rear derailleurs so I could use taller gears for riding in the mountains..

Here is a link:

https://surlybikes.com/crosscheck.html

schnee

I'm almost 6" shorter than you and I ride a 60cm with a tall head tube. You're even looking at touring, which generally has taller head tubes anyway, so in my mind alarm bells are going off.

You should seriously consider custom.

PS, socalrider, assuming a 62 is big enough, he'd be far better off with their dedicated touring frame, the Long Haul Trucker. It's got long chainstays for panniers, touring eyelets in the front fork, eyelets to hold extra spokes, etc. so on so forth.

MilitantPotato

Wow, thanks guys.

I saw that C'dale a few days ago, it was tempting but not built for what I'm looking for, it's more suited for roads.
I'll be doing ~375 miles on the Katy trail for my first tour this spring, maybe with a 6 year old in tow, then enjoying the crumbling roads of St. Louis.

Anyone know of a frame crafter that builds with durability in mind, does shipping, and has a respectable warranty?


Would a second down tube make much of a difference for rigidity and durability?
What sort of chain stay length should I be aiming for? 55cm?
I've seen a lot of talk of around 200mm length cranks for tall people, with a much higher BB, has anyone had experience with a bigger crank?

exploring

Zinn Cycles specializes in bikes for the big and tall including some interesting 29ers but they are expensive. https://www.zinncycles.com/

LarDasse74

Custom from most respected builders means just that - custom... tell him you want tough as nails and you get tough as nails... tell him you want light as a feather you get light as a feather... you get the idea.

If you begin conversing with a builder and he does not ask your height and weight and intended use for the bike early on... run to the next builder on your short list.

As someone else said, Zinn has custom cranks made for his company, and also makes (or has made - i am not sure) custom frames designed for custom cranks... he would also be a good person to call with questions.

Although any reputable builder can build you a bike with a 1" higher bottom bracket, and I'm sure it won't be the first time most have been asked.

MilitantPotato

The crank question was more if anyone has gone that route, and their opinions on it.
As far as the durability minded dealer question, it seemed most are geared for performance road bikes, a Zinn was one of two I had found as of last night that advertised high durability tubing for touring bikes.

To be honest, if budget wasn't an issue, I'd jump on a Zinn. I'm not ruling his frames out, or Co-Motion's, just asking around.

I get the feeling getting a Zinn with my complete lack of biking class is like going to a lambo dealer asking for a beefed up Volkswagen. I'm starting to think my name is Fred as much as I've heard it.

txvintage

There is an outfit out of Toronto that builds semi custom touring bikes and the like. Some say their bikes are a knock off of the Long Haul Trucker, but there are differences, as well as similarities.

I've been digging to try and remember, or find, their shop name and contact info. They are reported to be more economical than a regular "custom" shop. I think they mostly take your measurements and build one of their standard frames, so it's kind of a custom/standard build. Knowing you're in the St. Louis area helps too.

Heck, I bet if you called Rivendell they would probably be more than happy to talk geometry with you and maybe even recommend someone in your area. It's also possible they have a few large frame sets hanging out in inventory already built.

dscheidt

Rivendell list the atlantis (the touring bike) as coming in sizes as big as 68cm, and the A. Homer Hilsen (also a touring bike, more or less) up to 72. Whether they've got one that big on the rack, of course, is another question. But if you can afford one, they're very nice.