The Old "What MTB to get for a TALL person" questi

crazyhenry

Morning all.

All my clothes have shrunk round my middle and t'management has told me to drink less and exercise more, so I'm going to take advantage of Cyclescheme and our Oop North forest trails. I've had a few MTBs in the past, but they never fitted properly so they never got used, so I want to get it right this time.

I'm 6' 6" and 130kg . I've only got 36" inseam and consequently have a long reach and need a long toptube/cockpit.

After extensive research and bikeshop visits, I've kind of shortlisted:

GF Hoo Koo E Koo XL
GF X-Caliber 29er
Specialized R'Hopper 23"

I've not tried any of them 'cause I haven't found a dealer that stocks 'em (understandably I guess!) and I don't want to pay a big deposit on a bike that doesn't fit!

Any ideas tall brethren?

CH

:? :?:

scottbowlby

Well i'm 6ft 6 and 16st so a large bike was a must for me when i was looking, i ended up with a 23" Hardrock which i'm guessing will be similar in size to the Rockhopper. The size is perfect and if anything i could of got away with a size down.

As always though try before you buy, its alright similarly sized people telling you yeah its ok but until you actually sit on the bike its never 100%

Good luck!

BlackSpur

scottbowlby wrote:

Well i'm 6ft 6 and 16st so a large bike was a must for me when i was looking, i ended up with a 23" Hardrock which i'm guessing will be similar in size to the Rockhopper. The size is perfect and if anything i could of got away with a size down.

As always though try before you buy, its alright similarly sized people telling you yeah its ok but until you actually sit on the bike its never 100%

Good luck!

The Rockhopper is likely to have a longer top tube than the Hardrock for the same frame size.

toasty

For a start, don't post the same thing in numerous areas. It'll just get deleted and make the mods cross!

Secondly I'm 6'6" and generally ride 21" bikes, the main area they will fall short for me is top tube length but you can see this from specs before buying. Although it's tempting to overcompensate and ride a mahoosive bike, I don't think it's always the best way to go. My 21" Stumpjumper is a perfect fit, but does have quite a bit longer top tube than the Hardrocks. 21" bikes fortunately are stocked at most places, so you might be able to try some out.

29ers might be worth a shot, it's what I'm trying next I'm not sure about the Gary Fisher though, I think their selling point is compact geometry which might be an issue.

djames77

Hi

I'm 6'9'' and went for a rockhopper in 23''. I got a spesh concept store to get one for me to look at and try, then ordered it from my local spesh dealer. I think it fits me perfectly, can't say what it would be like for you.

crazyhenry

Evening.

Thanks for the info Toasty. Early morning post - bleary eyes etc.

Generally, folks:

XL GF 29ers totally out-of-stock for '10MY according to my local MTB dealer! Typical! :roll:

Maybe I should go to the Specialized Concept Store in H'gate and see what they can do!

Do like the idea of a 29er though! They seem to be more in proportion.

Dunno. The more you investigate, the harder the choice becomes.

Seems alot of manfs like Cannondale, Giant etc do uber big frames but not for the UK!

:?:

djames77

not sure about giant but when i was looking Cannondale did an XXL (jumbo) but only in the tawain manufactured bikes which went up to about 700 quid of the F5 i think it was. Their better bikes only ever went to xl in size. I also found Cannondale to have a sort(ish) top tube which is probably not what your looking for given your inside leg. Spesh have longer top tubes which is why think mine suits me so well

crazyhenry

Hey.

Yes, the Spesh RH @ 23" is 660mm (they all are!!) which is pretty long. Thought about going to Holland 'cause they're pretty tall. But their mountains aren't!! I've got a mate in Hoofdorp (or something like that) who's 6'10" and can't see my problem! lol.

Kona? I've heard they've got lonf TTs?


CH

djames77

crazyhenry wrote:

Hey.

Yes, the Spesh RH @ 23" is 660mm (they all are!!) which is pretty long. Thought about going to Holland 'cause they're pretty tall. But their mountains aren't!! I've got a mate in Hoofdorp (or something like that) who's 6'10" and can't see my problem! lol.

Kona? I've heard they've got lonf TTs?


CH[/quote

If you Google all of the manufacturers you want to consider you can get the geometry measurements for each bike. If you really want to compare download a program like cad lite, draw them and layer them all together to see what you think might suit. I would recommend going to a LBS to try some though. For what my limited opinion is worth i would be tempted to try this as a 22" (56) might be about the right size

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lap ... e-ec020966

or this depending on you budget

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lap ... e-ec020966

crazyhenry

Thanks djames.

I've kind of done that already for 26ers and the top three longest mainstream UK stuff are Spesh Rockhoppers, GF HKEK G2 and Felt Qs.

But as everybody has said, I need to try them.

I'll just have to keep trawling until I can get a go.

Cheers

CH

M6TTF

hopefully getting an xcaliber this week providing my local shop can get a large in - fingers crossed. Surprised that stock are running out already, it's only flippin march!