bike for a tall lad

gagomes

I'm a gentle giant (6"8) looking for a bike with frame about 26" (66cm) but have no idea where to start, what brands, what shops, nothing! Preferably I would rather buy first hand, so I can get into the "cycle to work" scheme. The only thing I know, though is that I am going to be cycling an average of 20km per day (Lucan - Kilmainham) and I was looking for something tall, good and with hybrid wheels. I would say my budget is as high as 1000, but I would like to keep it closer to 500, as I don't intend to be a pro. Just cycle from home to work and back.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Idunnowho

Is it a road bike that you are looking for? For what its worth I'm 6'3" and ride a 56, a 58 and a 60cm... I might suggest that you dont necessarily need a 66cm frame (which will be v hard to find). I suggest having a look at a 62/63cm frame perhaps which will widen your options. As long as you dont go beyond the max height limit on the seatpost you can consider showing more seatpost (or buying a longer seatpost) and have a 'vertical drop difference' from saddle top to handlebar top of say 10-13cm (depending on your back flexibility) [measure ground to saddle top and ground to handlebar top). Go for a longer stem, say 120-130mm to give you the stretch. These are general suggestions and you would really need to see what 'fits' you.

Ryder

agree. im a 6'4" dwarf in comparisson to you, and ride a standard 60cm (XL) frame. best advice would be to go to a good local bike shop and get sizing advice from them (put up your location to get recommendations). in my experience, you will likely have to order a new seat post (as most of the standard ones are too short) and maybe a new stem (same reason).....all this can be negotiated when buying the bike, and should be available locally.

edit, i see that you are in fairview.....i no longer live in ireland so others can advise better, but always hear good things about ritchies in swords....

funkyjebus

Agree with both the above. I am 6'4 and ride 58 / 60cm bikes.

I normally need a effective top tube of 59 - 60 cm together with a 120mm stem for a good fit.

Never had any issues with my seatpost not being long enough. I think mine is a 350mm, still loads left inside (I should really cut that)

gagomes

Thanks guys. I am looking for a road/mountain hybrid, if that exists, ha?

Thanks for your advice so far. I will try to make the best of it. Is there a generally acceptable/trustworthy store that this community refers to on occasion? I don't actually live in fairview, but I heard good things about that store in swords too, however I can go pretty much anywhere around Dublin.

Ryder

a road/ mountain hybrid would be...a hybrid or a cyclocross bike. why a hybrid? what type of cycling do you want to do?

if its for fitness or even commuting, id suggest a road bike. you get used to the position quickly and will prefer it in time. way more versatile for fitness/ long spins and light. no need to have concerns about its strength unless youre massivly overweight....ie above 110/120 kg etc and even then a better wheelset will sort you. i have a cyclocross (for commuting in very bad north american winters) and its nice, but not as enjoyable as my roadbike....and is too rigid for off road. if you want to do primarily mountain biking - get a mountain bike.

the only stores i personally have experience with in dublin southside are thinkbike in rathmines, joe daly in dundrum, and cyclesuperstore in tallaght....in order of my preference. any of them would be suitable for your needs and give good advice.

gagomes

Ryder wrote: »

a road/ mountain hybrid would be...a hybrid or a cyclocross bike. why a hybrid? what type of cycling do you want to do?

if its for fitness or even commuting, id suggest a road bike. you get used to the position quickly and will prefer it in time. way more versatile for fitness/ long spins and light. no need to have concerns about its strength unless youre massivly overweight....ie above 110/120 kg etc and even then a better wheelset will sort you. i have a cyclocross (for commuting in very bad north american winters) and its nice, but not as enjoyable as my roadbike....and is too rigid for off road. if you want to do primarily mountain biking - get a mountain bike.

the only stores i personally have experience with in dublin southside are thinkbike in rathmines, joe daly in dundrum, and cyclesuperstore in tallaght....in order of my preference. any of them would be suitable for your needs and give good advice.

Thanks!

I am massively overweight, currently at 150kg. I want a bike for fitness and for commuting, but essentially the former.

Ryder

150kg may be a little big for a road bike...although maybe others on here have done it. i think the wheels will be the victim. you can get specially built wheels that are stronger but thats going to push up the price.

would trying to lose weight by walking etc be an option? once down to 100kg ish, you may be okay with a road bike. whatever you do, dont go for the hybrid option - youll get bored an want to upgrade if you like cycling...also theyre not the easiest for long spins over one hour, so maybe are a little self defeating regarding a fitness tool. probably the best thing to do is to call into a local bike store over the weekend and get some professional advice

Dotsie~tmp

c50

irish rider conor dunne 6.7ft. specialized he riders regardless of what he gets sponsored. pretty sure whatever brand sponsoring him couldnt supply a big enough bike

kumate_champ07

you need something custom made, a frameset will cost around 1000euro, you may find something cheaper


http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/16/online-frame-builder


6ft 3 is about the limit with being able to get a standard production bike to fit

kumate_champ07

gagomes wrote: »

Thanks!

I am massively overweight, currently at 150kg. I want a bike for fitness and for commuting, but essentially the former.

how important is your health? Id go above your budget if you really want to do what you say. oversize steel tubing with something like dt swiss tk540 rims, dt swiss alpine III spokes and shimano 105 hubs

c50

come to think of it, a tall lad came into me the last day. easily 6' 6" upwards. prob more like 6 8 but ive got a bad eye for this. he was after buying a cube peloton size xxl. he had a 130mm stem i think and seatpost quite high but it fit him like a glove

Civilian_Target

OK - I'm 6'5" and I'm basically the maximum size you can go with an off-the-shelf bike -- I had difficulty finding one.

If you're a lot of leg (like 38") you might be able to get away with adjusting a large off-the-shelf bike, but if your torso is long, you're a bit stuck.

My brother is 6'7", all torso and we found him a second hand bike in England on ebay... there's usually 1 or 2 25"+ bikes that turn up every week for less than 500 GBP. We found one and had it shipped, it needed a few minor fixes but overall has worked out well. That's probably your best bet.

Civilian_Target

OK - I'm 6'5" and I'm basically the maximum size you can go with an off-the-shelf bike -- I had difficulty finding one.

If you're a lot of leg (like 38") you might be able to get away with adjusting a large off-the-shelf bike, but if your torso is long, you're a bit stuck.

My brother is 6'7", all torso and we found him a second hand bike in England on ebay... there's usually 1 or 2 25"+ bikes that turn up every week for less than 500 GBP. We found one and had it shipped, it needed a few minor fixes but overall has worked out well. That's probably your best bet.

gagomes

Thanks for your replies. Truly appreciated

Would a mountain bike be supportive for my size? I used to ride an el-cheapo one when I lived in Cambridge, but I reckon I was at least 10kg slimmer then! I want to lose weight, but I think the bike is one of the measures that is going to help me do so, so I wouldn't mind to spend money on a mountain bike and when I fall in the right size, which is unlikely to happen in the next year or so, then get a road/hybrid bike.

Thanks for your advice again