xfimpg

Hi
Would anyone know of any bike company who is known for building bikes with longer head tube lengths?
I have longer legs than torso length.
I essentially need a head tube length that is 2" higher than the typical 4-5" lengths on the market today.

Thanks in advance

MrTuner1970

In addition to your query about head tube length, there are probably any number of companies that will build a frame to your specs. Lynksey for one, if you're looking for Ti.

I'm in a similar situation. Long legs, shorter torso. Next bike I get will probably be custom.

xfimpg

Yes, that was proposed to me, in a Titanium. Cost is somewhat prohibitive, so I'm trying to find other alternatives. Someone mentionned a woman's bike, as women tend to have longer legs than torso.
Potentially demasculating, but easier on the wallet.

thcri

Many manufactures have the special Women's Design. Having a Trek so it first comes to mind as to having the WSD bikes. Women's Special Design. Check one out and see if you are more comfortable with it.

xfimpg

I'm 6'1, maybe too tall for a women's large. ?

Steev

Just how many forums have you posted this in?
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-a-short-torso
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-a-short-torso

xfimpg

Steev, I apologize. If I have to change bikes again, it will be the 5th bike in 6 years. I'm on the border of crying and giving up this sport that I love because of back pain and financial losses every time I change bikes.
Yesterday I spent $1000 on a professional bike fit session to get to the bottom of this. The only solution proposed was to go custom at a starting price of $5000-6000.
To be quite frank, I am really, really desperate to find a solution without having to spend that amount of money, again.

mmmdonuts

What are your measurements? Unless you have extreme proportions there are many bikes out there that could fit. Relaxed geo frames can accomplish the same thing.

brianappleby

Cervelo RS, and Time Instinct both claim to have taller headtubes. Taller than what? I dunno.

Quintana Roo is known for having short Top Tubes in relation to seat tubes. Bianchi maybe also.

Orbea Orcas have dentist-tall headtubes, maybe their other frames do also.

You could try the "comfort" version of race frames. Specialized Roubaix instead of Tarmac, etc.

xfimpg

Hi
Here they are. Please note that this is for a mountain bike. Yes, i'm asking as many good and knowledgeable people as possible for their help.

Saddle Height - BB to top center of saddle: 799 mm
Saddle Setback - BB horizontal to tip of saddle: -75 mm
Saddle Angle - Angle of saddle to horizon: 1 deg
Effective Seat Tube Angle - BB to center of saddle:75 deg
Bar Rise - Top of bar vertical to top center of grip: 28 mm
Handlebar Reach - Tip of saddle to stem center: 547 mm
Saddle to Bar Drop - Center of saddle to bar top: -32 mm
Grip Reach - Tip of saddle to center of grip: 495 mm
Grip Drop - Top center of saddle to top center of grip, - denotes grip lower: -4 mm
Handlebar Width End to End: 646 mm
Handlebar Stack: 723 mm
Handlebar Reach - BB to center of bar: 472 mm

ultraman6970

Gazelle is the only one I can remember that comes stock with shorter frames. Old miyatas aswel. How tall are u anyways?

There is a builder in guelph, toronto. that can make a bike for you, winterborne is the company. The guy is super cool. But you are in montreal, there must be somebody in montreal that builds custom.

xfimpg

I will look them up if it comes to that, thanks.
Marioni in Montreal, but they don't do mtb's.
There is a guy in Quebec City, but he doesnt do dual suspension.

xfimpg

Good idea, will check out Orbea and Specialized, thanks.

TonightWillFall

I'd highly recommend checking out some WSD's. At least test ride them and see if the fit feels a little better.

guadzilla

Ridley. They tend to have taller headtubes even on their race models. I am 6'0" with a 35.4" inseam and the Ridleys fit me really well.

Alternatively, go for the upright designs, like Cervelo RS or Spesh Roubaix.

QTipConnoisseur

You could talk to Mark at Habanero Cycles. He does custom Ti for very cheap: 1295. Just know that his welders are in China, he uses 3Al/2.5v, and his tubing is all straight gauge. Having said that, I've got my custom frame on order from him and he's been very accommodating. While I don't have a short torso, I wanted a frame with a shorter reach (an inch) and he did that no problem. I've heard great reviews from BF, and while completing a Hab with the same components might be a bit more expensive than some of the options mentioned here, the fit, IMO will be worth it.

mmmdonuts

I think the MTB forums would be the best place for you to get useful info.

hamsey

Madone H3 geometry. I have long legs short torso.

Norm

topflightpro

Nearly all manufacturers now offer a version with a tall headtube.

Specialized Roubaix
Cannondale Synapse
Trek Madone - H1, H2 or H3 (not sure which)
Cervelo RS
Argon 18 - 3D-headtube system

And many just make longer head tubes - you'll have to look them up.

That said, you can also work on your flexibility. I too have long legs and a short torso - If I wear my pants at my hips, like I'm technically supposed to - I look like an 85 year old - and I am fine on a Cannondale System 6/Caad 9.

ultraman6970

U want an mtb or a road bike? for your coment about marinoni wonder if you are looking a mtb frame.

https://www.winterbornebikes.com/wint...cycle-services

The guy is super tall so he will get what u want right away. Met him like 5 years ago at his shop, nice guy hey!

urbanknight

Yeah, especially considering 4 people responded with road bike suggestions even after the OP mentioned that it was for a mountain bike.

Plus, mountain bike geometries are a much different animal than road bikes. I also have odd proportions, but different from you (long torso and short legs, but those legs are made with long thighs and short shins). I found that the seat tube angle was crucial for me to be able to get a saddle fore/aft position that favored my knees. When researching mountain bike geometries, I found that many manufacturers use the same seat tube angle for all sizes of a particular model.

Anyway, since this is for a mountain bike, have you used a fork with an uncut steer tube? Have you seen if you can get a stem with more rise? How about a bar with more rise? Between those three, I'd find it hard to believe you can find a position upright enough to save your back.

xfimpg

Thanks everyone, a lot of good ideas for me to assimulate here.
Very, very much appreciated.

PS. The reason I decided to post this question in the Road Cycling forum is that when i was a roadie in a previous life, i was always amazed by the wealth of knowledge roadies have. And again, you did not disappoint.

datlas 

+1 for Mark at Habanero. I am a very satisfied customer, and I have a very short torso with long legs.

I don't know how much he does MTB's though, I am a roadie.

jsutkeepspining

you can possibly just size down. so if you were riding a 56, then get a 54.

edit: dont know mountain bike sizing sorry thought this was for a road bike.

guadzilla

Doh, I missed that.