zzyzx_xyzzy

What options are there for off-the-shelf large frames? My two best fitting bikes are 67cm seat tube c-t. One is a 63cm top tube with a 73 degree seat tube and a 100mm stem; the other is 60cm in the top tube with a 72 degree seat tube and 140mm stem. They are both perfectly hideous, thirty years old and ten pounds each for frame and fork.

I'm "only" 6'3" but with very long arms and legs... the high and stretched forward position of the bars has been a revelation, I can stay in the drops for miles, sprint standing in the drops, climb standing on the hoods better, upper back isn't as hunched. I want to have nicer frames that fit this well too.

I've seen the Soma Smoothie ES comes in a 66cm, but I'm looking for more of a touring frame at the moment. Are there any others being made, or are we solidly in custom frame territory....

cooleric1234

I have this bikesdirect bike (warning, controversy). As you can see from the size chart the 64 cm frame has a top tube length of 622 mm, and it comes with a 120 mm stem. I'm 6'5 and it was too long for me, I had to replace with an 80 mm stem. I should have sized down at least one frame size.

P.S. Sorry, I just noticed you said you wanted a touring frame. Not sure what to tell you about that.

CliftonGK1

The Surly LHT has a 62cm c-t frame with a 61cm effective top tube and 72/72 angles.

Metzinger

I checked Fietsforum for you. Dutch people are ridiculously tall.
One thread mentioned Koga-Miyata with sizes up to 66cm.
Their US website seems only to have city and touring bikes on it, unfortunately.

Barrettscv 

Not too many frames are larger than 61cm vertical top tube that are also ideal for loaded touring. Consider: https://www.salsacycles.com/fargoComp09.html in a XXL

LarDasse74

The fargo was the first thing that popped into my mind, too.
It is a little bit more expensive than a lot of the other CHinese and Taiwanese frames available, though... for a couple $100 more you can probably get a basic custom frame.

zzyzx_xyzzy

I'd have to bust out a CAD program to be sure but I think the Fargo (though something LIKE the Fargo really is a dream bike) and LHT are on the verge of not making it with the selection of threadless stems that are available. I don't really like ETT as a measurement because it ignores seat tube angle -- slackening the seat tube from 73 to 72 degrees has the effect of knocking 1.2 cm off the effective reach, since I will just end up moving the saddle forward to find my balance point. Then to get their bars to the 1/2"-below-the-saddle position I like I'll have to use a riser stem, except riser stems aren't made as long as level stems, so I can't get the reach :/

LarDasse74

Top tube measurement always ignores the STA - actual top tube measures the length of the top tube between the seat cluster and the headset/top-tube junction - regardless of where the pedals are in relation to the top of the seat tube; ETT measures the distance between the headset/top-tube junction and the intersection of the seatpost along an imaginary horizontal line, regardless of where the pedals are in relation to the seat tube.

Also, the Fargo has a very long head tube, and if you use an un-cut steerer tube and a couple of spacers you likely won't need too much rise from your stem to get your desired bar position. I'm not saying it will fit, just that you may not have looked at this from all angles.

What is your reccomended seat height?

metal_cowboy

Rivendell makes several big frames. Look at the Sam Hillborne. It is a lugged touring frame that sells for about $2000 complete. If you can find a used Rivendell Atlantis or Rambouillet, they are great bikes that sometimes sell on Ebay for around $2000. I am 6'4" and both of my Rivendells are 66cm.

Go dog Go

You can get a custom for under $1000 from Tsunami and a couple other builders aren't much more...

etherhuffer 

How about I send you a vintage Schwinn 11.8 Voyageur frame? Squirms like a gummy worm but its big! Look at older tall frames, strip it down, put in riv-nuts for bottle bosses, cold set the rear to a wider dimension. the downside is making the chainline work for you when you rehab an old frame. And you won't have canti brakes. But for very tall folks it can work.

jimblairo

Marinoni can build you a custom steel (zona) frame c/w fork for around 800$.