Looking for my first road bike.....for a tall chap

JamesMay1977
JamesMay1977 Posts: 2
edited October 2009 in Road beginners
Hi all

I am looking to buy my first road bike soon and wondered if anybody has any advice on bikes that are best suited (or bikes to avoid) for people over 6 3" tall :?:

I have sat on a Bianchi and a Trek and both felt small even though the shop assistant said both were the right size!

I want something comfortable as I will probably do more distance rides than sprints.....although I have just read about the 'Chilly Duathlon' which I might enter if I can get a bike in time.

Thanks in advance :lol:

J
James May

Comments

  • plasmadaddy
    plasmadaddy Posts: 13
    edited October 2009
    I'm also 6' 3" and have just bought a 58cm Specialized Roubaix. The geometry is slightly more relaxed and less cramped than some of the bikes you mentioned.

    Specialized also do the Secteur which is the aluminium version of the carbon framed Roubaix and so costs less.

    I've not ridden for almost 15 years and this morning went out for my first ride. I was quite concerned about how comfortable I'd be! Despite the fitness issue the comfort was brilliant - no aches or pains at all.

    Highly recommended for a tall bloke!

    Good luck

    P Daddy
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    You're not so tall that larger frame sizes won't suit you (unless you're out of proportion). I'm 6'5" and ride a 61cm Roubaix and a 64cm TK2. Both fit rather nicely (Roubaix's the comfiest).
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    I'm 6'3" and my torso is relatively long for my frame therefore I need a longer top tube as opposed to vertical height and length in the seat tube. My commuter bike is a 58cm, which doesn't really give me the ideal amount of reach, my Focus Cayo which I use for club rides is XXL (about 61cm I think) and much better.
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  • merlinghnd
    merlinghnd Posts: 106
    I am 6'4" and also own a Focus Cayo XXL 61cm bike. Very pleased with it, seems comfortable. If I wanted to stretch out further, I might buy a slightlty longer stem but at the moment it is fine.
  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    Spcialized allez 2010 sport, 61cm

    Im 6'3" and its a decent fit. if anything, slightly large
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  • nimchimpsky82
    nimchimpsky82 Posts: 82
    I'm almost 6'7", and ride a 60cm Orbea Aqua Marmolada. The saddle's pretty high, but there's probably about 2 inches left in the post. The drop to the bars makes for a pretty aggressive set-up, but my back seems to let me get away with the abuse.

    Buying it wasn't easy, as none of the shops I visited had the largest frame size of this or other bikes I looked at (Cannondale CAAD9, Bianchi Nirone, etc.) in stock :shock: In the end I just took a bit of a gamble with an LBS that came highly recommended on the forum, on the understanding that if the bike really didn't fit, I wouldn't be committed to buying it. Fortunately it did, and so did I 8)
  • solstice21
    solstice21 Posts: 321
    I'm just over 6'3" and have a 60cm Cube Aerial. At first I thought it was a bit big after coming from my Mtrax 6000 but now love it! Lot of bike for your cash whilst in sales!
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    nimchimpsky82 wrote:
    I'm almost 6'7", and ride a 60cm Orbea Aqua Marmolada. The saddle's pretty high, but there's probably about 2 inches left in the post. The drop to the bars makes for a pretty aggressive set-up, but my back seems to let me get away with the abuse.

    Buying it wasn't easy, as none of the shops I visited had the largest frame size of this or other bikes I looked at (Cannondale CAAD9, Bianchi Nirone, etc.) in stock :shock: In the end I just took a bit of a gamble with an LBS that came highly recommended on the forum, on the understanding that if the bike really didn't fit, I wouldn't be committed to buying it. Fortunately it did, and so did I 8)

    6'7"??? Bloody hell...
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  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,735
    I'm a short arse at only 6' 1" but also have the issue of a relatively long torso. It is easily solved by getting a slightly longer stem. I agree about the Trek though, I tried a 58cm 1.2 and felt like there wasn't enough reach. Had I bought it I would have gone up a stem size. With that in mind I'm surprised the shop said it was the right size for someone 2" taller than me as I felt I was borderline for a 60cm.
  • nimchimpsky82
    nimchimpsky82 Posts: 82
    Headhuunter wrote:
    nimchimpsky82 wrote:
    I'm almost 6'7", and ride a 60cm Orbea Aqua Marmolada. The saddle's pretty high, but there's probably about 2 inches left in the post. The drop to the bars makes for a pretty aggressive set-up, but my back seems to let me get away with the abuse.

    Buying it wasn't easy, as none of the shops I visited had the largest frame size of this or other bikes I looked at (Cannondale CAAD9, Bianchi Nirone, etc.) in stock :shock: In the end I just took a bit of a gamble with an LBS that came highly recommended on the forum, on the understanding that if the bike really didn't fit, I wouldn't be committed to buying it. Fortunately it did, and so did I 8)

    6'7"??? Bloody hell...

    Uh-huh, imagine me on long haul flights with Continental or similar thieving scum airlines... :shock:

    Am originally from Holland, btw, which explains. It's all in the diet, you know -- lots of drugs :lol:

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