MTB for tall rider.

YozzerHughes

Hi Folks,

Looking to get into mountain biking and am looking for advice on a bike. I'm just under 6' 5" with a 36" inside leg.

Are there bikes that would fit me, hard tail for under €1,200 that you would recommend?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Vélo

How about this?

It's within budget and has a 30% discount. I see they have it in xl also.

YozzerHughes

Looks good though I'm still concerned about the size. For my height most places are recommending a 23" frame. That XL is only a 21.5" and even on their own chart are saying inside leg 33" - 35" a 22" frame. My inside leg is 36" so am I right in thinking I'd need to go to a 23" frame?

Tenzor07

YozzerHughes wrote: »

Looking to get into mountain biking and am looking for advice on a bike. I'm just under 6' 5" with a 36" inside leg.

CUBE Acid 29'er goes up to a 23' inch frame so would be perfect!

Morgan

For a rider that tall I'd definitely consider a 29er. The Cycle Inn in Tallaght might be able to build up a Niner for you around that price.

Over budget, not available for six months, and a bit of overkill for a first bike, but these are nice.

YozzerHughes

Tenzor07 wrote: »

CUBE Acid 29'er goes up to a 23' inch frame so would be perfect!

That's more like it. Out of stock at the minute. I'll call and see about ordering in.

For the extra cash, found the model up

http://www.bikelab.co.uk/5191/products/cube_ltd_pro_29_mountain_bike_2012.aspx

Is there much difference in spec to justify the extra money?

triggermortis

I just got an email from Chain Reaction Cycles saying they are having a sale at their new store this Fri and Sat if you're near enough to Belfast. (Boucher Road)

Vélo

YozzerHughes wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Looking to get into mountain biking and am looking for advice on a bike. I'm just under 6' 5" with a 36" inside leg.

Are there bikes that would fit me, hard tail for under €1,200 that you would recommend?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Great username

[Embedded Image Removed]

Tenzor07

YozzerHughes wrote: »

That's more like it. Out of stock at the minute. I'll call and see about ordering in.

For the extra cash, found the model up

http://www.bikelab.co.uk/5191/products/cube_ltd_pro_29_mountain_bike_2012.aspx

Is there much difference in spec to justify the extra money?

Better suspension forks and about 1kg difference in weight so yes, would be worth it for sure...Cyclesuperstore
And at least with the Cyclesuperstore its local, you can get a test spin, and not far to travel for faults/servicing..

CramCycle

I mailed CSS about this bike and they said it would be January before this bike is in again (must have sold out quick), I'm popping in tomorrow though to see if being there in person might get a different response.

CramCycle

YozzerHughes wrote: »

That's more like it. Out of stock at the minute. I'll call and see about ordering in.

For the extra cash, found the model up

http://www.bikelab.co.uk/5191/products/cube_ltd_pro_29_mountain_bike_2012.aspx

Is there much difference in spec to justify the extra money?

CSS have this one as well: http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=47990

50squid more but maybe that is negotiable, possibility of a test ride and easier return if it is the wrong size makes it worth it in my opinion.

Tenzor07

CramCycle wrote: »

CSS have this one as well: http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=47990

50squid more but maybe that is negotiable, possibility of a test ride and easier return if it is the wrong size makes it worth it in my opinion.

They will usually thrown in things like free tubes/pump/water bottle guys in sales there are good..

CramCycle

Tenzor07 wrote: »

They will usually thrown in things like free tubes/pump/water bottle guys in sales there are good..

Missed your link, apologies, looks like I know where I'll be going if they can get them back in stock soon.

CramCycle

Even better if you have done business with them before, the price drops down to 1016 , I really have to remember to sign into that site when I go to it in future, if I can get them to throw in a pair of SPD pedals and 2 bottle holders then they have a sale :eek:

YozzerHughes

CramCycle wrote: »

YozzerHughes wrote: »

That's more like it. Out of stock at the minute. I'll call and see about ordering in.

For the extra cash, found the model up

http://www.bikelab.co.uk/5191/products/cube_ltd_pro_29_mountain_bike_2012.aspx

Is there much difference in spec to justify the extra money?

CSS have this one as well: http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=47990

50squid more but maybe that is negotiable, possibility of a test ride and easier return if it is the wrong size makes it worth it in my opinion.

Ah yeah I'd shop local even at a couple of extra quid.

Cheers for the info all.

CramCycle

Definitely January for the Cubes at the earliest, I was in the other day and apparently Cube bikes are delayed accross Europe until late January.

CSS are getting in 4 lapierre 29ers on the 27th of this month, so I'm going into see them, to see how they compare.

CramCycle

The Cycle Inn have a XL Giant in there for 699euro, I am 6'1 and it was just too big for me by an inch or two so it might be perfect for you.

SuiteCheex

Ah lads, no MTB recommendation thread is complete with out a mention of a Canyon.

Their 2012 range are now on sale and they're doing a 29er but it might be a bit out of the OP's price range.

Just so you know, a Canyon XL is 22". Only downside is you can't try before you buy. But in saying that, my medium framed hardtail fitted me perfectly.

EDIT: Just realised the 29er won't be delivered until mid-March 2012.

funkyjebus

SuiteCheex wrote: »

Ah lads, no MTB recommendation thread is complete with out a mention of a Canyon.

Their 2012 range are now on sale and they're doing a 29er but it might be a bit out of the OP's price range.

Just so you know, a Canyon XL is 22". Only downside is you can't try before you buy. But in saying that, my medium framed hardtail fitted me perfectly.

I have a xl grand canyon, if anyone needs to test size.

YozzerHughes

Emailed Canyon earlier about this

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2547

Out of original budget but funny how you start to justify the cost to yourself after a while.

Anyway I'm 1.95 meters in European money and according to Canyon that's in the middle of the range for the XL frame. Max user height 2m.

Is this the 2011 model? I take it it must be as available for immediate delivery. If so am I as well to wait a while and see if price drops as 2012 model comes online?

Morgan

YozzerHughes wrote: »

Is this the 2011 model? I take it it must be as available for immediate delivery. If so am I as well to wait a while and see if price drops as 2012 model comes online?

It's a new model for 2012. Available March.

SerialComplaint

I'm 6'3" and I had awful trouble getting an MTB to fit well 2 years ago. My budget was less than yours. I had loved my old Dawes Galaxy touring bike with the 25 1/4" frame, which gave me a nice comfortable reach. I tried every shop in town, but I couldn't get any kind of MTB with the same comfort. I ended up with a Specialised Hardrock - 23" frame was the biggest at that time, I think. Mike in Cycle Inn extended the head at the front to raise it up a bit, which gave me some comfort. Unfortunately, I've had fairly regular maintenance problems with the extended bit, probably because of the pressure and weight on it.

I see the hardrock size chart now goes up to a 24" frame http://www.evanscycles.com/product_document/file/75b/e6a/2de/39/specialized-hardrock-sizing-chart.pdf so that might be worth checking out.

YozzerHughes

That looks interesting on the 24" frame. I was in eurocycles yesterday and got up on a XL 54cm (which is what, 21.5") Corratec and yeah it was just too small, bars too close to me and my weight was pitched too far forward on the bike. Felt I was going over the bars and that was on the flat.

I'd like to be able to try out any bike before I buy though. I see they have a 23" Specialised 29er too on budget.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/carve-expert-29er-2012-mountain-bike-ec030142

Any thoughts on this bike?

Tenzor07

Corratec sizing is weird, I had to go for what other bike makers would call a "Large" when i'd normally buy a Medium in other makes..

Just goes to show that there is no subsitute for going into your LBS and trying out different bikes for size... Unless of course you are 100% that the bike you are buying online is defo the right size...

YozzerHughes

OK cool. I'm going to try and get on a few XLs from different brands over the next few weeks and see if i can get something that feels comfortable.

Tenzor07

If you are borderline L or XL in frame sizes, just go by how cramped or stretched out the reach is on the top tube... Seatposts can be raised and lowered within reason.. A lot of people go for the smaller size on MTB's... But the only way you will know for sure is hit the bike shops and see for yourself... Leave the online bikes for next time round...

easygoing39

Tenzor07 wrote: »

If you are borderline L or XL in frame sizes, just go by how cramped or stretched out the reach is on the top tube... Seatposts can be raised and lowered within reason.. A lot of people go for the smaller size on MTB's... But the only way you will know for sure is hit the bike shops and see for yourself... Leave the online bikes for next time round...

At 6"5 this lad is no way borderline,its XL sized frame all the way.At that height,even with the correct frame,youre going to need great skills to handle a mtb well.Narrow trails,techy trails,step declines will be a test with youre high centre of gravity.MAD do great begineers course's,sign up as their great for picking up advice and tips.