I'm in the market for a commuter/tourer and the Kogswell P/R has caught my eye. Seems like the consensus is that those 650Bs are the greatest things since sliced bread. I'm 6'4" though, so wouldn't a smaller than normal wheel size be somewhat counter-intuitive?

I'm currently mashing a hardtail to work with 26" slicks. The bike is a bit small for me in the first place, so I don't think it's the best frame of reference.

Any tall people out there on 650Bs?

The wheel size on a larger bike is less of a concern than on the smaller frames. I would make sure the frame size is as close as you can get to what you need. FWIW I am 6'2" and I ride bikes ranging from 19" up to 25" or so. The one I have the most miles on is my old Raleigh Sports Standard that I used as a commuter for years. It has a 21" frame and a looong seat post. A 23" frame would have been a much better choice but when you only have $25 to spend the choices are limited

Aaron

Good to know. My MTB commuter is 20", my seatpost is about as high as I can go and still be safe. The wife teases me about it, saying I remind her of a bear on a tricycle.

Wanna see a bear on a tricycle...try a folder I have a Raleigh Compact RSW folder. The kids around here call it my clown bike The stock seat post is about 2" too short so when I ride it I use a more modern post with a Brooks B67 saddle on it. BTW I have seen 400mm posts before.

Aaron

I got smoked the other day by a guy on a folding bike. Came out of nowhere and passed me on an incline.

Back to the OP, I think your instincts are right, there is no need for tall riders to go for smaller wheels. Check out some of the large frames by Leonard Zinn

700c wheels are already small on an XXXL size frame. If anyone made a larger wheel than 700c, this would be the wheel of choice for most large riders.

The kogswell PR is now available in 700 wheel size. Better hurry they will not last.

What kind of riding do you want to do? You know, commute, group ride, Cat 5, etc..

And what's the budget?

One of the problems big guys face is BB flex. It's also something that bugs me.
Cannondale always has a couple bikes made for tall fellers. Throw an email at them and see what they say.

It's always tough when you fall outside of the norm and if you're taller and heavier finding the right bike can be a pain just as it is when you are smaller than everyone else.

We have a few really big guys who have been coming to our co-op on a regular basis to see if anytihng has come in that would be suitable for guys who are 6'4 and 6'7 and not lightweights.

I was happy to hook the first guy up with a nearly mint mid 80's Kuwahara sport touring bike with a 25 inch frame and recently had an equally minty Norco road bike come in with a 26 inch frame so I'll be making a call on Monday to see if the fellow who has been looking is interested.

The Kogswell looks like a great bike BTW.

Have you seen the latest model?

https://flickr.com/photos/thingsofdot...7602208815364/

This may be a stupid question, but available where? I tried a few of the dealers listed on the Kogswell site and didn't have any luck. I guess I'm just not used to the way these types of bikes and frames are handled. What's got me going this route in the first place was the fact that I found out that I'll be waiting an unspecified amount of time for a LHT.

Commuting for now - 20 mi/day - with the occasional longer ride with the wife on the weekends. Mostly on a paved MUP. I like to carry a bit of a load, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Certainly not enough for one of those Zinn frames!

I'm trying to stay close to the price of the complete LHT - $900-1000. The P/R frame at $600 seems reasonable. I do think if I can get ahold of one I'll go with 700s over the 650Bs. Gotta have those tan gumwalls though

Lol! Man I would've liked to see a commericalized version of this on an advert for a folding bike.

Like maybe an ad for one of those Dahon folding bikes on the side of the forum there

I have now.

If you've got one in 616mm lying around I'll trade you my credit card # for it