Frames for big guys...
 

Hello all, this my first post, be gentle! I have a question on frame sizes, as I am intending to buy a crossrip, jake or threshold style of bike, I have been checking out local shops without much success. Iam 6"6, and it seems not many XL frames are imported to Australia. None of my local shops have any sizes for me to try, telling me that the large will fit if we put a long stem, swept back seat tube etc. Is this a legitimate way to change a frame sizing or should I go to City shops and buy the first big frame I see. Thanks( in nervous anticipation)

You can modify a smaller frame with stems and such to fit a larger rider, but I find the overall feel to be much better with a well fitting frame. At 6'6" I would try to get the biggest frame you can get that will fit you. Any other component on a bike can be swapped out rather easily. The frame is the one thing I don't compromise on.

Thanks, looks like the first box to tick will be frame size, then brand, group set, etc. That's if I can find one to try....

Hold out for the XL. I am not quite as tall as you and have used stems and extended seatposts for years to get smaller bikes to fit. Lucked into an XL city bike (Redline R530) it is great to have something that fits and doesn't look like a circus bike.

Aaron :)

It's a pure road bike, but depending on your goals and the bike's design, you may be able to get a sufficiently wide tire on the KHS Flite 747, which is specifically designed by Leonard Zinn as a tall rider's bike and is available only in 65cm.

Try www.torpedo7.com.au for availability.

Circus bike! Sums up my exact feeling teetering on top of some of the bikes I've been shown!

Thanks but I am looking for something fairly robust to handle the broken edged pot holed bitumen of our country roads, also do packed and loose gravel on a local rail trail, hence my thinking that an alloy cyclocross bike might do the job.

I'm just 5' 9" ... and shrinking so I'm not much help here. The Dutch though are the tallest folks on the planet and I've seen my share of really tall guys on bikes.

Have you given thought of having your dealer ordering a Dutch brand? I just looked at Koga (is that well known by you guys) and they offer a 60 and 63 cm frame. I would think that would do the trick. I've also seen a 61 cm offered by them.

Here's one link ... Koga // Bikes > City & Touring > Collection

Bill Walton gets Bikes Made for him by US Custom builders .. thats how you get the best fit ,

It is made to fit you, rather than the other way around.

While not as tall as you, I am on the tall side (6'2") and even I have a hard time finding bikes. It depends on your body proportions and the bike, but you would almost certainly be on a 61cm frame or larger. I'm on a 61cm and compared to the 58cm (of the Crossrip, like you're looking at), it's a dream. Unfortunately, the Jake, Anyroad, Plug, and other similar bikes don't come in any size larger than 58cm. You might be able to make it work but your seatpost and stem would have to be like a mile long.

Bike fit is probably more important than components. The Crossrip is considered expensive for its component level, but it fits so much better than anything else.

Hi, umazuki, it's ##### annoying actually! all these nice bikes to look at in shops and on the net! and all in smaller sizes! I see bikes discounted on Bike Exchange, but of course they are all small sizes. Am even considering a frame from anywhere and having it built.... But I suspect my budget would not handle this approach.
Wahoonc used the term "circus bike" , and that is what I imagine looong seat post and stem would look like!

Looks like Giant has a dealer in your town, the Roam is a real nice bike, I love mine. The list an XL frame and look like they have a store in your town. Maybe they have a few models in XL for you to try.

Dealers - Giant Bicycles | Australia

Specialized has an XXXL frame which is 64cm. I'm 6'4" and that's what I ride. I luckily found it on sale at an LBS a couple of years ago.

sadly
you may have to buy a bike sight unseen
which is often the case for riders at either end of the fit spectrum

i am 6'5" and most
but not all
xl bikes fit me ok
but many are still a wee bit too small

you can get a really good idea of the fit of a bike
by studying the published geometry
and comparing to a bike with a known fit
even if the known fit is a poor one
you can estimate how much of a difference you need
and see if any of the available bikes are close

be very careful
however
if you plan to buy a bike that is too small
and mod it to fit
as there is a limit to how big a frame size discrepancy
you can overcome with this strategy

Did I miss the rule that all responses needed to be in the form of a haiku?

:roflmao2:

thanks for noticing
but that was not a haiku
although this one is

I'm 6'3'' with a 36" inseam. I found a 63cm 1986 Schwinn Tempo 7-speed road bike and had the rear triangle spread to accommodate a 10 speed hub. In short, its the best fitting bike I've owned. my advice is to go old school. Forget the new compact frames, they're really not made for tall riders. Extra long seat posts and exaggerated stems are a joke.

Good luck.

Check out the crank size on the 747, and also the bottom bracket drop.

Thanks for all your ideas people, I'm sure dollars will fix any problem... But there is a limit (imposed by the minister for finance ) . Changing tack a bit, and still chasing a shiny new bike, would putting drops on a trek fx, or specialised sirrus type bike work? Still would give room for a wider tyre, have fancy looking discs, and from what I can see largely resemble alloy cyclocross bikes in spec. While browsing sites I get the impression that bigger frames are more likely available with these bikes, and seem to be a bit longer anyway.

Well played!

I too love my Giant Roam 1. I am 6'5", and its large frame fits me well. Granted I am fairly new to cycling and do not have a lot of experience with different bikes. In fact, this is the first bike I've had that fits me well. I lucked into finding it used local to me for a good price. I'll post a pic when I get a chance.

For what it's worth I'm 6'4" 230lbs, and have the 22.5" 7.2 FX. Even on me the stand over height is close to being a little tall, though not dangerously so. I have no doubt that a 6'6" guy would fit very well on one. I don't feel it's a small bike for me at all, and I appreciate the extra reach room to the bar.

Ya, DEFINITELY hold out for an XL, XXL or XXXL frame..... (depends on the maker but you'll get the gist that so & so's XL is the other brand's XXL, etc. etc.).

I didn't know that about Bill Walton, that's pretty cool. (though at 7ft, I can only imagine custom would certainly make sense)

Here's another thought......maybe get hold of the local rep for the brand(s) you like. (Cannondale, Specialized, Giant, Trek, etc.) Explain your situation to them and see if they can help. Getting closer to the source can often net results that the distributor might not even be empowered to.

Hi people, just an update on this thread, I have just ordered a 2014 alloy synapse, disc, ultegra, 61 cm, which equates to a 60 top tube length, the shop will add a longer flipped stem which should do the trick for me. Took a long time to find one, one of not many (4?) left in Australia.
I will put 28s on it and work out the rest as I go. Very happy. Thanks for all your suggestions.

i am 6'6 also and i purchased a 60cm frame, and i love it. Even with the seat adjusted perfectly i still have lots of leg room.