Notices
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling Do you enjoy centuries, double centuries, brevets, randonnees, and 24-hour time trials? Share ride reports, and exchange training, equipment, and nutrition information specific to long distance cycling. This isn't for tours, this is for endurance events cycling

Rando Bike for a Tall Person

Old 03-20-12, 05:00 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Rando Bike for a Tall Person

I'm looking for a rando-style bike to do some light touring and ride around town. Trouble is, I'm 6'4". My current bike is an old Andy Gilmour racing bike, which was custom made for someone about my height almost 30 years ago. I love the bike, but I'm looking for something a little more relaxed that can handle a front bag and a light rear load well. I'd also like to ride wider tires (maybe 30c - 34c) with fenders. Other than the Soma Smoothie ES, I don't know of any appropriate production bikes that would fit me. Any ideas?

Also, there is a used 66cm Seven Cycles Sola bike for sale on craigslist in my area. The specifications follow. He's asking for $1,200. Sound like a good bike for my needs? Thanks.

Frame - 66 cm Seven Sola Argen (titanium) tube set
Fork - Rigid steel 26" fork black
Headset - King 2nut 1" Threaded silver
Derailleurs - Shimano Deore LX black
Shifters - Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed Bar Cons
Cassette - Sram PD-950 12-28 cassette, custom
Chain - KMC X9.99 9 speed silver
Crankset - Ritchey Logic 180mm 48/36/24 chainrings
Bottom Bracket - Shimano UN55 ENG 68 x 118mm
Brake levers - Tektro RL340
Brakes - Ritchey Logic New Shoes
Handlebars - Bontrager 46 cm 31.8 mm
Stem - Threadless type with Soma High Rider Stem Adapter
Cables & Housings - Black All
Tires - Panaracer Pasela 26X1.5 all black
Pedals - Clipless Can supply standard pedals
ixtx is offline  
Old 03-20-12, 06:04 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dublin, OH
Posts: 574

Bikes: Serial bike flipper

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 91 Post(s)
Liked 114 Times in 72 Posts
This isn't out yet, but I'm keeping my eye on this one:

https://oceanaircycles.com/bikes/

The owner is 6'3" or something, so he understands taller riders.
seat_boy is offline  
Old 03-20-12, 07:53 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
At 6' 4", I find that 62cm production bikes fit me. Have you not found this to be true? Do you find that stand over or top tube are harder to find in adequate size?

Not all manufacturers produce bikes this big. I would recommend you take a look at Surly. The LHT would be a capable rando (and if you really need it, has a 64cm size available soon/now). I understand people use the Cross Check as well. They are generally recommend for rear biased loading, which might be a strike against them given your stated preference for a front loader. Two other production frames that come to mind: SOMA San Marcos (a listed 63cm frame) and the Black Mountain Cycles Road (the designer is tall himself).

I own an 1980 Fuji that fits well with a moderate stem and a fist full of seat post (about 60cm top tube, I forget the seat tube size). My 62cm Surly Steamroller (single speed) has a 61cm top tube and also fits great.

As seat_boy pointed out, the Oceanair might be a good choice when it comes out. I too am watching that development.
mfredrickson is offline  
Old 03-20-12, 08:01 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Homeyba's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Coast, California
Posts: 3,370

Bikes: Colnago C-50, Calfee Dragonfly Tandem, Specialized Allez Pro, Peugeot Competition Light

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm 6'3" and ride a 60. That is a great price for a Seven which was (probably) custom made for someone. Are you sure it will fit you**********
Homeyba is offline  
Old 03-20-12, 11:18 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
rperks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 56
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Seat Boy and mfredrickson, thanks for the product plug, I really appreciate the support.

I myself being tall, 6'3", have helped a few people out, but on the tall end of fitting, extremes can be exaggerated. Example being my brother-in-law, we are the same height, but his inseam and saddle height are about 4cm taller than mine, he is all leg. Funny thing is the old sport touring frames like a 64 with a 58cm top tube fit him as well as a custom would. I on the other hand prefer a little more top tube. the Surlys IMO are a little on the long side, and soma's offerings do not go as big as you would want.

IXTX. A couple of questions I can ask that may help you find a fit. What is your current saddle height, center of crank to top if saddle? and while you are at it can you measure the top tube on your current ride, center to center?

Post the dimensions of you current ride and it will help the group get you some solid advice.
rperks is offline  
Old 03-21-12, 11:40 AM
  #6  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks for your help. No, 62cm bikes do not fit.

My current bike:

Saddle to ground: 109cm
Saddle to center of crank: 86.33cm
Stand over height: 92cm
Top tube (c-c): 61cm
Seat tube (c-c): 66.67cm
ixtx is offline  
Old 03-22-12, 06:18 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston TX area
Posts: 816

Bikes: Trek 1420 triple, Mercier Corvus, Globe 1 700, Surly Disc Trucker, GT Avalanche, GT Grade, GT Helion, Mercier Corvus, Motobacane Boris X7 Fat Bikes,

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Look at this for giggles https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...an_turismo.htm
Jamesw2 is offline  
Old 03-22-12, 06:47 AM
  #8  
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,460
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3638 Post(s)
Liked 5,316 Times in 2,701 Posts
Is the Seven 26 inch wheels? That's going to be awkward looking on a frame that size.
shelbyfv is offline  
Old 03-25-12, 10:32 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
rperks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 56
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You are right that even my 62 will come in a little small for a traditional fit. the 62 is really intended for a saddle height up to about 82-83. For a frame a reference, here is my current main ride:


Frame bag No.1 by rperks1, on Flickr

the saddle height is about 80cm in this picture. My upcoming model will have a lower bottom bracket than the Roadeo shown. Combine that with the center to center seat tube measurements I am using and a 64 could probably work out pretty well for you. I have only had a little interest in that size, but enough that I am still keeping it in the line-up.

It sounds like the easily available vintage steel may also be a bit of a problem for your fit, as the older bikes tended to have shorter top tubes. Keep your eyes open for a used Fuji America, s-12s or LTD, these will pop up from time to time, the sizing will be close on the largest sizes (64). The models around the 1980 year give or take a couple of years are a decent low cost way to try out a bike with a low-trail front loaded bias type of bike. Most of these can easily be converted to 70c as well.

Good luck on your search, the journey is part of the fun.
rperks is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hobbitman
Fitting Your Bike
3
07-10-16 09:03 AM
rms13
Fitting Your Bike
6
06-16-15 02:37 PM
Noun
Touring
25
04-16-15 02:18 PM
Bosch
Commuting
11
08-25-10 08:25 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.