|   What brand bike for a Big Guy? | gregg
Jul 29, 2002 2:48 PM | | A friend is interested in getting a bike but is having problems finding one in his size.
He is 6'5" and has been sized at a LBS for a 64 or 65cm frame. The problem is that nothing stock comes that big.
I recall seeing a large bike in the Gallery a while back, but I couldn't find it.
Any suggestions? I checked a couple major brands website's and it seems that 63 is the largest production model. Obviously, he can go custom, but he's still kind of new to road cycling and isn't sure if he wants to drop that kind of change.
Thanks,
-gregg |
| re: What brand bike for a Big Guy? | jaybird
Jul 29, 2002 4:14 PM | | He should be able to get by with a stock 61 to 63. I am 6'3" and I ride a 59 Look. He can make up any shortcomings in stem and seatpost. A friend of mine is 6'7" and he only rides a 63 Have him check out the size formula at wrenchscience.com. another good source for a big frame might be gvhbikes.com.
Have him get a second opinion on size. |
| A vote against "getting by" on a too-small bike | Silverback
Jul 29, 2002 7:10 PM | | Obviously he CAN--I'm 6'4", and I rode 62cm bikes for years, because it was the biggest most shops carried and they convinced me it would work with a long seatpost.
All that changed when I bought a 64 cm Atlantis, though. I didn't know how uncomfortable I was until I found a bike that WASN'T uncomfortable. IMO, 59 is too small for a guy 6'3" and 63 is WAY too small for a 6'7" rider (my brother is 6'7", and he rides a 68 with too much post showing). There's some room for preference in fit, but if he finally gives in and buys a 63cm, try to pressure the shop into putting on a taller stem, not just running the seatpost up. Grant Petersen at Rivendell (www.rivendellbicycles.com) has some interesting stuff about fit. Might read that before he chooses. |
| A vote against "getting by" on a too-small bike | zray61
Jul 29, 2002 7:46 PM | | Since I'm currently riding a Klein that is too small for me.I'm 6'4"
"I didn't know how uncomfortable I was until I found a bike that wasn't uncomfortable" could you please explain in more detail what your experience was or is with a correct sized bike?
Also, how was your experience with Rivendell? Did they built up the bike or did you do it?
Many Thanks |
| My problem is the opposite; I'm 5'4" and stuck on a small . . . | morrison
Jul 29, 2002 5:08 PM | | compact or a 48 that creams my toe in a tight turn. BUT . . . I have a 6'7" friend in my Saturday ride who got a beautiful ride from Zinn. |
| re: What brand bike for a Big Guy? | JimP
Jul 30, 2002 4:31 AM | | I agree on a smaller frame size. I am 6'4" with a 36" pant inseam and rode a 64cm Fuji for several years. I changed to a 63cm C'dale and found that it rode and handled much better. Three years ago I changed to a 60cm Aegis and now I wouldn't change to anything larger than a 61 or 62.
Jim |
| Gregg, call Jericho.... | Zonic Man
Jul 30, 2002 5:42 AM | | And ask them.
Get him a "B" build Blacktop...he'll be pleased as punch too. |
| Hmm...how their price and availability these days? | gregg
Jul 30, 2002 9:55 AM | | Looking at these excellent suggestions, Jericho just might be the cheapest custom mentioned (vs. Rivendell or Zinn). |
| Zinncycles.com | Len J
Jul 30, 2002 5:48 AM | | Leonard Zinn specializes in bikes for big people. See his "Project big bike"
http://zinncycles.com
Len |
| though way too much $ for a beginner IMO (nm) | ColnagoFE
Jul 30, 2002 6:04 AM | | |
| True but.......... | Len J
Jul 30, 2002 6:14 AM | | if you really want the skinny on what frmes work for large riders vs. what frames don't Leounard is the man. I would recommend that Gregg e-mail him with the same question he is asking us. Leonard will probably give him several good suggestions.
Sorry, should have been clearer in my first post.
Len |
| yeah good idea...lennard knows big bikes for sure (nm) | ColnagoFE
Jul 30, 2002 6:58 AM | | |
| Cannondale? | ColnagoFE
Jul 30, 2002 6:03 AM | | I've always heard that 'Dale makes a good 'budget' bike for bigger riders. If he's willing to drop big $ I'd recommend Lennard Zinn to make him a custom though. Definately THE builder of choice for really big frames. |
| Checked C-dale, Trek, & Airbornes websites, no luck (nm) | gregg
Jul 30, 2002 9:57 AM | | |
| Gios. | SnowBlind
Jul 30, 2002 7:09 AM | | One of the guys at the office here has a 64cm a-90, took a special order from the factory, but no extra charge. Took 6 weeks though.
www.excelsports.com, but they don't have on the website, gotta call. |
| Gios looks like a good suggestion. | gregg
Jul 30, 2002 10:00 AM | | Pretty affordable too. Thanks for the recommendation! |
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