So, If You're A Tall Rider, You're Screwed Bike Wise?
03-28-11, 03:23 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: La Verne CA
Posts: 5,049
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
Cyclocross bikes are also a possibility due to the extra ground clearance, cross bikes fit 2cm bigger than there labelled size, so a 62cm Surly rides more like a 64cm frame. Most cross bike are steel which makes them plenty durable for such a large frame, just a thought.
03-28-11, 08:54 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
I'm 6'-3" and ride bikes ranging from 57-61cm. None of the frames are from the same manufacturer, so try different brands in the largest size and you may find one that will fit you, because same size from different manufacturers may fit differently.
03-28-11, 10:39 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Posts: 561
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm 6' 2" my LBD fit me on a 60cm Trek 4.5 Madone, it fits me very well and the 4.5 Madones (and many others, I'm sure) are sized to 64cm.
Going to: https://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/ shows that a 64cm frame will fit up to almost a 38" inseam, that's pretty long.
That's just a general fit guide, you'll want to visit your LBD and get their recomendation and see if they have a 64cm for you to try. It will only take a little time and it may be an easy fit instead of a custom frame or reworking an older frame.
Going to: https://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/ shows that a 64cm frame will fit up to almost a 38" inseam, that's pretty long.
That's just a general fit guide, you'll want to visit your LBD and get their recomendation and see if they have a 64cm for you to try. It will only take a little time and it may be an easy fit instead of a custom frame or reworking an older frame.
03-28-11, 10:47 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Kodiak, Alaska
Posts: 417
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Custom doesn't = expensive. You can get a custom frame from a smaller builder for around 800 bucks. CUSTOM to your measurements.
03-29-11, 01:53 AM
#30
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pasadena, CA(for now)
Posts: 1,101
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I 6'4" and know the tall situation all too well. I went with an older bike, partly because new bike sizes are limited, but truthfully because money is more limited. It's a longer, more difficult road to dink around fixing up a bike, but it can also be rewarding. Currently I'm fixing up an old 80's Fuji that has a 27" frame (68cm) posted over in the C&V section here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ate?highlight=
When I'm done with it I suspect to be every bit as good for me as if I were going out to buy a new LHT at less than 1/2 the price. The biggest cost will be the custom wheels I eventually buy for it, but then I'd have to build special wheels even if the bike was new. Big old frames are out there, and they tend to sell for a little bit less because there's a smaller market for them. I don't race, so older equipment is fine with me, if I did race I suppose I'd have to invest in a custom build. Interestingly the fuji is actually a little too big for me because I'm more lanky than legs, but it was cheap. I paid less than $100 for it in decent condition the winter before last and rode it all last summer for club rides until I trashed out the old steel wheelset.
If you go the old route, there's a lot of resources online to help. I can give you links if you want.
Good luck,
Jim
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ate?highlight=
When I'm done with it I suspect to be every bit as good for me as if I were going out to buy a new LHT at less than 1/2 the price. The biggest cost will be the custom wheels I eventually buy for it, but then I'd have to build special wheels even if the bike was new. Big old frames are out there, and they tend to sell for a little bit less because there's a smaller market for them. I don't race, so older equipment is fine with me, if I did race I suppose I'd have to invest in a custom build. Interestingly the fuji is actually a little too big for me because I'm more lanky than legs, but it was cheap. I paid less than $100 for it in decent condition the winter before last and rode it all last summer for club rides until I trashed out the old steel wheelset.
If you go the old route, there's a lot of resources online to help. I can give you links if you want.
Good luck,
Jim
03-29-11, 01:57 AM
#31
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pasadena, CA(for now)
Posts: 1,101
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just tough being this tall, and not being able to find anything. Might have to go the older bike route indeed.
03-29-11, 06:04 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: 44.0942-73.366791
Posts: 412
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Been shopping/asking around @ some of the LBS's around town here in Pasadena, CA. Ive been to: Pasadena Cyclery, Bicycle Doctor, and a few others. All I seem to get from them is: "We dont have any, and cant get any, sorry". I've been sorta fitted...stood on a 64cm, from a buddy, and I fit on it ok, but, I think I'll need a 65/66cm, as there's a bit more room.
Just tough being this tall, and not being able to find anything. Might have to go the older bike route indeed.
Just tough being this tall, and not being able to find anything. Might have to go the older bike route indeed.
03-29-11, 08:03 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Southwest Michigan
Posts: 1,554
Bikes: Fuji Monterey, Schwinn Traveler, Fuji Special Road Racer, Gitane Interclub, Sun EZ-1, Schwinn Frontier, Puch Cavalier, Vista Cavalier, Armstrong, Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Stingray
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
My three favorite on-line resources are:
https://bicycletutor.com/
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/
Bicycle tutor has easy-to-follow videos. The Park tool site is great, and Sheldon Browns site is great for the quirks about certain bikes that you might not find elsewhere.
Fixing up an old bike is not for everyone, it takes time. Time to find the good deals on a frame that actually fits, time again to source the parts you may need, and then the time and effort to fix them up. If you're handy, you can save some money, but it won't be like going to a good bike shop, buying something from knowledgeable staff, and then riding it later that day.
This route worked for me but that first summer a few years back, my rides were uncomfortable on ill-fitting bikes until I was able to find a bike locally that fit. I could find one faster now that I'm set up for e-commerce with paypal, but then I was restricted to yardsales, craigslist and a very small budget.
https://bicycletutor.com/
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/
Bicycle tutor has easy-to-follow videos. The Park tool site is great, and Sheldon Browns site is great for the quirks about certain bikes that you might not find elsewhere.
Fixing up an old bike is not for everyone, it takes time. Time to find the good deals on a frame that actually fits, time again to source the parts you may need, and then the time and effort to fix them up. If you're handy, you can save some money, but it won't be like going to a good bike shop, buying something from knowledgeable staff, and then riding it later that day.
This route worked for me but that first summer a few years back, my rides were uncomfortable on ill-fitting bikes until I was able to find a bike locally that fit. I could find one faster now that I'm set up for e-commerce with paypal, but then I was restricted to yardsales, craigslist and a very small budget.
03-29-11, 08:49 AM
#34
Senior Member
03-29-11, 09:53 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Toronto (again) Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,931
Bikes: Old Bike: 1975 Raleigh Delta, New Bike: 2004 Norco Bushpilot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Standing over one random bike is not a fitting! Help us help you: run the Fit Calculator I recommended earlier in the thread, then tell us what it says.
03-29-11, 10:05 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,447
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4237 Post(s)
Liked 2,949 Times
in
1,808 Posts
I just have to say thank you. At 6'3, I'm always griping about finding sleeves that are long enough for me (typically have to go with the 37 sleeve size), so it's nice to know about people who have it more difficult than I when it comes to finding fitting stuff.
03-29-11, 04:52 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: La Verne CA
Posts: 5,049
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
here is a local sale via CL : https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...283999469.html
65cm and frame is very nice.. You can take it and have the rear triangle cold set to 130mm for modern parts, had it done with my Merckx, was not a big issue.
65cm and frame is very nice.. You can take it and have the rear triangle cold set to 130mm for modern parts, had it done with my Merckx, was not a big issue.
03-29-11, 05:19 PM
#38
Senior Member
I actually went with the "Eddy" fit. The French fit sounds like it would be good, but for me it required a frame that was one size larger than the one I bought with a correspondingly longer top tube. I test-rode a couple of bikes in this size, but they just felt too large and the reach to the bars was too long; worse than the "Competitive Fit", actually. For me, the Eddy was the best compromise...
03-29-11, 06:32 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 372
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
6'4'' had Marinoni in Montreal custom build me a bike - Frame and fork ~1.1K. Complete from ~2K depending on build. Not USA but NAFTA?
03-29-11, 06:51 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: 44.0942-73.366791
Posts: 412
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
03-29-11, 07:06 PM
#41
Senior Member
here is a local sale via CL : https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...283999469.html
65cm and frame is very nice.. You can take it and have the rear triangle cold set to 130mm for modern parts, had it done with my Merckx, was not a big issue.
65cm and frame is very nice.. You can take it and have the rear triangle cold set to 130mm for modern parts, had it done with my Merckx, was not a big issue.
03-29-11, 07:08 PM
#42
Senior Member
LemondFanForeve, Wishing you well in your search, I post this cuz I is a 6'3" and my 58cm Surly is plenty long in all parts,, seat all the way down etc,,, and they go up to a 62cm
I also had an old Specialized 24" MTB and it was very tall, so I sold it to a guy way taller than me.
I am a bit of a older dude and I love the smooth ride.
I also had an old Specialized 24" MTB and it was very tall, so I sold it to a guy way taller than me.
I am a bit of a older dude and I love the smooth ride.
03-29-11, 07:25 PM
#43
Retro-guy
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 285
Bikes: 1980 Raleigh Super Record
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm 6'4" (actually more like 6 foot, 4 and a half inches), and have a Scott bike with a moderately-sloping top tube, that is their XXL size (ostensibly a 61cm frame). But it is plenty large enough for me, in terms of top-tube length, etc. With my saddle where I want it, I have perhaps 3 inches of drop to the top of the handlebars, and I'm using a 130mm stem (flipped up, but then again I'm a 50+ Clyde.....). As a point of reference, my old bike was a vintage Raleigh, with a "25 inch" frame (translates to 63cm and change), which was noticeably smaller feeling than my current Scott 61cm frame (in large part due to the old-school quill stem, adjustable for height, but not length, as well as a shorter top tube).
When I was test-riding bikes last year, I thought that Trek's 62cm frame size was pretty close to my Scott, and that Trek's 64cm frame was a bit larger. They don't offer the 64cm frame in all models, and sometimes Trek shops don't have any 64's on hand for test-riding. But riding a 62 might tell you if a Trek 64cm frame would be good.
I wholeheartedly agree with the other comments that the frame size designations of today aren't really comparable to old bikes, nor are they necessarily comparable from brand to brand.
6'6" isn't so tall that it absolutely requires a custom frame. But you will have to try some different brands, and also potentially look at not only raising the seat post quite a bit, but also perhaps changing out the stem to get a better fit.
At least you're not Bill Walton. He's a pretty avid cyclist, and his custom frame is semi-ridiculous looking, what with him being over 7' tall (and with some very gnarly-looking knees, as a result of various injuries, surgeries, etc.).
When I was test-riding bikes last year, I thought that Trek's 62cm frame size was pretty close to my Scott, and that Trek's 64cm frame was a bit larger. They don't offer the 64cm frame in all models, and sometimes Trek shops don't have any 64's on hand for test-riding. But riding a 62 might tell you if a Trek 64cm frame would be good.
I wholeheartedly agree with the other comments that the frame size designations of today aren't really comparable to old bikes, nor are they necessarily comparable from brand to brand.
6'6" isn't so tall that it absolutely requires a custom frame. But you will have to try some different brands, and also potentially look at not only raising the seat post quite a bit, but also perhaps changing out the stem to get a better fit.
At least you're not Bill Walton. He's a pretty avid cyclist, and his custom frame is semi-ridiculous looking, what with him being over 7' tall (and with some very gnarly-looking knees, as a result of various injuries, surgeries, etc.).
03-29-11, 10:36 PM
#44
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 11
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am in a similar boat, I am 6'7 and looking for a bike for commuting. does anyone have any experience with Cannondale's quick cx series ? they come in a jumbo size.
03-30-11, 12:18 PM
#46
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mass. Metrowest
Posts: 35
Bikes: Rans Dynamik
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
8 Posts
Rans Bikes has a model for taller riders, the Rans Sequoia. It could be an option if you're open to the upright riding style of a crank forward bike. I'm very happy with my Rans Dynamik which I use to commute 17mi RT.
03-30-11, 06:40 PM
#47
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm 6'6 with a 37/38 inch inseam and found an XXL Specialized Crosstrail fit pretty well. For a commuter I've been happy with it in the year I have had it.
03-30-11, 06:44 PM
#48
Banned
talk to this guy Tall is what he builds for , even has cranks over 180 long.
https://zinncycles.com/Zinn/index.php/archives/1465
https://zinncycles.com/Zinn/index.php/archives/1465
03-31-11, 08:44 AM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The 2010 Fuji Roubaix ACR 3.0 is currently available from Performance's website in a size 64cm with a 61cm effective toptube length, for $899 no less. If you are on a budget this could be a good find if the geometry works for you (these Fujis tend to have longer top tubes and shorter head tubes for their respective sizes that some others on the market). It appears Fuji stopped making the 64cm size in their 2011 line however.