Tall Heavy Rider needs help with bike choice
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Tall Heavy Rider needs help with bike choice
I am 6'7"- 275 lbs and I need help choosing a bike. I was doing a lot of single track with my Turner 5-Spot sasquatch size (that is what they call their biggest size) until I fell off and shattered my hand and lost my two front teeth. Now I am selling it, as I don't have what it takes to get back on, and want to replace it with a cycle cross bike. Couple questions: other then components and some nubby tires what SHOULD be the difference between a road bike and a cyclocross bike? Also for between 3300-4000 (whole bike) what cyco cross bike would you recommend (companies that either customer or make bikes my size only). Currently I ride a 66 cm custom Paul Taylor road bike.
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Two words: Leonard Zinn
He's a custom framebuilder who specializes in large frames for big guys. He's a monster himself. Super quality (too big for me to ride, but I've seen a beautiful custom cross bike he built for a 6'5" friend) and knows how to build to fit someone like you. Zinn is also the author of the bible on MTB repair and maintenance, and has a repair and technical advice column in VeloNews- he's a tech geek as well. In short (pun not intended), he's your guy. His site is mostly about MTBs but he does cross and road as well.
https://www.zinncycles.com/
The main differences between a road bike and a cross bike-
More frame and fork clearance for wider tires
Slightly higher Bottom Bracket height for clearance over barriers and tight turns
Longer chainstays (tire clearance and more compliance for bumpy tracks)
Slightly different geometry than roadbikes- cross geometry designed for slower speeds, tighter turns, traction on steep uphills- but there is no consensus on what this should be- different builders do different things. Some are more like roadbikes, some designed to ride more like MTBs. Matter of preference and where/how you ride.
Lower gearing (often just subsituting the large chainring for something like a 46-48t)
Heavier gauge tubing (sometimes, not always)
Sturdier fork- but can feel harsh on the road over long distances
Canti, V, or disk brakes for riding in mud
Cable stops are mounted on top of the top tube, or inside the top tube to allow you to shoulder the bike without interferance with the cables. Some cross bikes have cable routing for the front derailleur that avoids going underneath the bottom bracket to protect from mud. These bikes need a top-pull front derailleur (FWIW I prefer a traditional road derailleur/routing, but ask someone who races in Oregon for another opinion...)
Reversed brake levers (Left=Rear) for dismounting (assuming you hop off on the left) without doing endo's
He's a custom framebuilder who specializes in large frames for big guys. He's a monster himself. Super quality (too big for me to ride, but I've seen a beautiful custom cross bike he built for a 6'5" friend) and knows how to build to fit someone like you. Zinn is also the author of the bible on MTB repair and maintenance, and has a repair and technical advice column in VeloNews- he's a tech geek as well. In short (pun not intended), he's your guy. His site is mostly about MTBs but he does cross and road as well.
https://www.zinncycles.com/
The main differences between a road bike and a cross bike-
More frame and fork clearance for wider tires
Slightly higher Bottom Bracket height for clearance over barriers and tight turns
Longer chainstays (tire clearance and more compliance for bumpy tracks)
Slightly different geometry than roadbikes- cross geometry designed for slower speeds, tighter turns, traction on steep uphills- but there is no consensus on what this should be- different builders do different things. Some are more like roadbikes, some designed to ride more like MTBs. Matter of preference and where/how you ride.
Lower gearing (often just subsituting the large chainring for something like a 46-48t)
Heavier gauge tubing (sometimes, not always)
Sturdier fork- but can feel harsh on the road over long distances
Canti, V, or disk brakes for riding in mud
Cable stops are mounted on top of the top tube, or inside the top tube to allow you to shoulder the bike without interferance with the cables. Some cross bikes have cable routing for the front derailleur that avoids going underneath the bottom bracket to protect from mud. These bikes need a top-pull front derailleur (FWIW I prefer a traditional road derailleur/routing, but ask someone who races in Oregon for another opinion...)
Reversed brake levers (Left=Rear) for dismounting (assuming you hop off on the left) without doing endo's
Last edited by ZenNMotion; 06-17-05 at 08:59 AM.
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You're definately in custom size territory. I'd look at a beefy custom frame, with 135mm rear spacing (MTB standard). This will make building wheels that will hold up a lot easier. I spec'd this on my custom cross frame, and I am very happy with the result. Personally, I'd look at a steel fork, like maybe a Kona project 2, as well.
Cross bikes need a really bulletproff wheelset b/c they don't have big squishy tires to protect the rims. I'd consider 36 hole, handbuilt wheels to be manditory for you. Slightly beefier rims may be a good idea, something around 500 gr with steel eyelets is a good move.
As far as differences from a road frame, there aren't all that many. Cross bikes are generally stronger, and have more tire clearance. As a result, the chainstays are longer, and the bottom bracket height may be slightly higher. Some cross bikes may have a more relaxed headtube angle, but this isn't always the case. I would shoot for a slightly lower standover height (drop the top tube a little) for more clearance in the rough stuff.
I had Habanero build my custom cross, and I am very happy with it. Mark Hickey was beyond helpful, and very knowledgable. He made sure I got exactly what I wanted, and the bike fits perfectly. Couldn't be happier with the bike.
Good luck with your build up!
Cross bikes need a really bulletproff wheelset b/c they don't have big squishy tires to protect the rims. I'd consider 36 hole, handbuilt wheels to be manditory for you. Slightly beefier rims may be a good idea, something around 500 gr with steel eyelets is a good move.
As far as differences from a road frame, there aren't all that many. Cross bikes are generally stronger, and have more tire clearance. As a result, the chainstays are longer, and the bottom bracket height may be slightly higher. Some cross bikes may have a more relaxed headtube angle, but this isn't always the case. I would shoot for a slightly lower standover height (drop the top tube a little) for more clearance in the rough stuff.
I had Habanero build my custom cross, and I am very happy with it. Mark Hickey was beyond helpful, and very knowledgable. He made sure I got exactly what I wanted, and the bike fits perfectly. Couldn't be happier with the bike.
Good luck with your build up!
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Originally Posted by darkmother
You're definately in custom size territory. I'd look at a beefy custom frame, with 135mm rear spacing (MTB standard). This will make building wheels that will hold up a lot easier. I spec'd this on my custom cross frame, and I am very happy with the result. Personally, I'd look at a steel fork, like maybe a Kona project 2, as well.
Cross bikes need a really bulletproff wheelset b/c they don't have big squishy tires to protect the rims. I'd consider 36 hole, handbuilt wheels to be manditory for you. Slightly beefier rims may be a good idea, something around 500 gr with steel eyelets is a good move.
As far as differences from a road frame, there aren't all that many. Cross bikes are generally stronger, and have more tire clearance. As a result, the chainstays are longer, and the bottom bracket height may be slightly higher. Some cross bikes may have a more relaxed headtube angle, but this isn't always the case. I would shoot for a slightly lower standover height (drop the top tube a little) for more clearance in the rough stuff.
I had Habanero build my custom cross, and I am very happy with it. Mark Hickey was beyond helpful, and very knowledgable. He made sure I got exactly what I wanted, and the bike fits perfectly. Couldn't be happier with the bike.
Good luck with your build up!
Cross bikes need a really bulletproff wheelset b/c they don't have big squishy tires to protect the rims. I'd consider 36 hole, handbuilt wheels to be manditory for you. Slightly beefier rims may be a good idea, something around 500 gr with steel eyelets is a good move.
As far as differences from a road frame, there aren't all that many. Cross bikes are generally stronger, and have more tire clearance. As a result, the chainstays are longer, and the bottom bracket height may be slightly higher. Some cross bikes may have a more relaxed headtube angle, but this isn't always the case. I would shoot for a slightly lower standover height (drop the top tube a little) for more clearance in the rough stuff.
I had Habanero build my custom cross, and I am very happy with it. Mark Hickey was beyond helpful, and very knowledgable. He made sure I got exactly what I wanted, and the bike fits perfectly. Couldn't be happier with the bike.
Good luck with your build up!
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Originally Posted by ZenNMotion
Habanero's are really nice, no-nonsense affordable Ti bikes. But I'm not sure that Ti would be the best choice for a rider that needs such a large frame, as Ti tubing (at least the common round straight gauge that Habanero uses) may be a bit flexy.
I believe Ti has a reputation for being flexible, because early ti bikes were fabricated out of tubing diameters that were comparable to that of a traditional steel bike. Naturally, such a frame would be flexy compared to it's steel counterpart. Modern frames tend to use bigger diameter tubes-in fact, many people mistake my frame for an aluminum frame. It has 7/8" chainstays, 1.5" downtube, and 1.25" TT and ST. It is by far the most torsionally solid road bike I have ever riden. I weigh 205 lb, and I really mash the climbs.
Anyway, I'm not trying to push Ti, or Habanero on someone who doesn't want one, but I believe a lot of the supposed characteristics of various materials are largely myth. When I was looking around for a custom frame, originally I wanted steel, but I went for the Habby because looked so nice, and was actually much cheaper.
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Never riden one, but Steelman makes some sweet looking bikes. I want one.
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I'm 6'6" and weighted 265 this spring. I bought a Marinoni Fango Cross. The frame (64 cm. )was custom made for me from Zona tubing and the cost of the frame and carbon fork was only 900 cdn (720 U.S.) Nice paint job too.
I had a set of wheels built using A719 rims with XTR hubs and I run 700X32 on them.
Total cost of the bike including Ultegra 9 was 3200 Cdn. (2500 US).
I had a set of wheels built using A719 rims with XTR hubs and I run 700X32 on them.
Total cost of the bike including Ultegra 9 was 3200 Cdn. (2500 US).
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Originally Posted by jimblairo
I'm 6'6" and weighted 265 this spring. I bought a Marinoni Fango Cross. The frame (64 cm. )was custom made for me from Zona tubing and the cost of the frame and carbon fork was only 900 cdn (720 U.S.) Nice paint job too.
I had a set of wheels built using A719 rims with XTR hubs and I run 700X32 on them.
Total cost of the bike including Ultegra 9 was 3200 Cdn. (2500 US).
I had a set of wheels built using A719 rims with XTR hubs and I run 700X32 on them.
Total cost of the bike including Ultegra 9 was 3200 Cdn. (2500 US).
That's a good deal. Any pics of the frame?
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Originally Posted by darkmother
I don't think that is nessasarily true. Out of interest, I calculated the bending and torsional stiffness of a typical striaght guage 1.5" OD Ti downtube, and compared it to an aluminum tube of the same mass in a typical diameter (escapes me at the moment....maybe 2.0" OD?) The Ti tube is significantly stiffer in both bending and torsion. Now, of course, there are other things that influence frame stiffness than just tube diameter, but it is one of the most important aspects to consider.
I believe Ti has a reputation for being flexible, because early ti bikes were fabricated out of tubing diameters that were comparable to that of a traditional steel bike. Naturally, such a frame would be flexy compared to it's steel counterpart. Modern frames tend to use bigger diameter tubes-in fact, many people mistake my frame for an aluminum frame. It has 7/8" chainstays, 1.5" downtube, and 1.25" TT and ST. It is by far the most torsionally solid road bike I have ever riden. I weigh 205 lb, and I really mash the climbs.
Anyway, I'm not trying to push Ti, or Habanero on someone who doesn't want one, but I believe a lot of the supposed characteristics of various materials are largely myth. When I was looking around for a custom frame, originally I wanted steel, but I went for the Habby because looked so nice, and was actually much cheaper.
I believe Ti has a reputation for being flexible, because early ti bikes were fabricated out of tubing diameters that were comparable to that of a traditional steel bike. Naturally, such a frame would be flexy compared to it's steel counterpart. Modern frames tend to use bigger diameter tubes-in fact, many people mistake my frame for an aluminum frame. It has 7/8" chainstays, 1.5" downtube, and 1.25" TT and ST. It is by far the most torsionally solid road bike I have ever riden. I weigh 205 lb, and I really mash the climbs.
Anyway, I'm not trying to push Ti, or Habanero on someone who doesn't want one, but I believe a lot of the supposed characteristics of various materials are largely myth. When I was looking around for a custom frame, originally I wanted steel, but I went for the Habby because looked so nice, and was actually much cheaper.
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I have a Steelman 525. This is a stock frame; he doesn't make them anymore. He only does custom sizes now. I am really happy with the frame. I am 210 lbs and wanted a strong frame. I would also look at Rock lobster, kelly, Soulcraft and IF.
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Another great custom framebuilder is Stephen Bilenky at Bilenky Cycle Works (www.bilenky.com). He works in steel and is a true artist. There was a big spread on him in Bicycling magazine about 2-3 months ago where he made a bike for some huge guy. He did a retro-fit of BTC's on my cross bike and did a wonderful job.
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Originally Posted by ZenNMotion
You missed the point with all the calculations-
#14
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Originally Posted by SAB
Another great custom framebuilder is Stephen Bilenky at Bilenky Cycle Works (www.bilenky.com). He works in steel and is a true artist. There was a big spread on him in Bicycling magazine about 2-3 months ago where he made a bike for some huge guy. He did a retro-fit of BTC's on my cross bike and did a wonderful job.
It was in the may 2005 issue and the author was 6'7" if I remember right. Bilenky has a great rep.
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Long term goal will be to get this puppy right here.
Hubba hubba.
Ti cyclocross frame. Mmmm.
Hubba hubba.
Ti cyclocross frame. Mmmm.
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Originally Posted by samtaylor1
I am 6'7"- 275 lbs and I need help choosing a bike. I was doing a lot of single track with my Turner 5-Spot sasquatch size (that is what they call their biggest size) until I fell off and shattered my hand and lost my two front teeth. Now I am selling it, as I don't have what it takes to get back on, and want to replace it with a cycle cross bike. Couple questions: other then components and some nubby tires what SHOULD be the difference between a road bike and a cyclocross bike? Also for between 3300-4000 (whole bike) what cyco cross bike would you recommend (companies that either customer or make bikes my size only). Currently I ride a 66 cm custom Paul Taylor road bike.
try one you'll like it. save the custom dollars for when you drop a few and want that six13 or whatever...
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Originally Posted by FatA**
the lack of fork rake (yeah I know it is a CX bike) make hands free a little dicey.
If 2 bikes have same trail, the one with more rake= less responsive
But if you want less responsive handling on your present bike then install a fork with less rake-
Here's a diagram for motorcycles, but it's the same measure on a bicycle
https://www.kennedyschopper.com/Trailchart.html
Confused? If you havent fallen asleep yet, heres the formula to calculate trail, you can use a scientific calculator, or a slide rule (huh, whats that?) or just paste it into Excel and substitute the parameters with your bike's numbers. Am I a geek or what?
Trail =(tire radius*COS(headtube angle*PI()/180)-rake)/SIN(head tube angle *PI()/180)
Last edited by ZenNMotion; 07-06-05 at 12:14 PM.
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actually, thanks a lot for the more in depth discussion!
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Originally Posted by ZenNMotion
Therefore, MORE fork rake = LESS trail. So if you want your front end to have slower, less "dicey" steering then buy a fork with MORE rake than what you have. Yes, really.