Carbon road bike advice for tall rider

johnacky
johnacky Posts: 15
edited February 2011 in Road buying advice
I have had my hand built 65cm steel frame for seven years or so now, and have decided on a carbon frame. I am 6ft 4 with long legs, and arms, and am looking for a carbon road bike for racing, and general training such as chain gangs etc.
Not looking to spend over £1500 if I can help it, and was wondering if anybody could recommend any decent bikes that are suitable for taller riders please, or if you have noticed any decent offers.
Many thanks

Comments

  • ADIHEAD
    ADIHEAD Posts: 575
    Spesh Roubaix has got a very tall head tube and comes in 61cm. I'm the same height as you also and ride a Cannondale Synapse, which would also suit but not sure it's in budget? The Spesh is also a bit over but you could probably get a bit off to get near the £1500.

    A couple of years ago the Spesh was £1300, probably with better components. Bikes have gone up in price hey?
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Just get fitted.

    There aren't any bikes for tall riders - as you can be tall in different ways - ie longs lanky legs, or just big all over .

    You need to visit somewhere like epic cycles - who will fit you on bikes that suits your needs.
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    if you know geometry suits then there is no need to get fitted.

    for a low cost big rig have a look at canyon.com
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    ADIHEAD wrote:
    Spesh Roubaix has got a very tall head tube and comes in 61cm.
    I'm 6'5" and ride a 61cm Roubaix with no problem at all.
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    Storck Scenario - 63cm
    Brian B.
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    I don't know if they're still making it but for a little over your budget you can get a carbon Viner Volata built made to measure. The Volata is basically the Perfecta, as the new 2011 Perfecta is a new frame.

    http://www.lebeauvelo.co.uk/index.php?o ... &Itemid=40

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... a-10-39753
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    I'm long in the leg and find few frames to suit. One that does, very nicely, and could be specc'd very well for £1500 is the Ribble Gran Fondo.

    I'll second Kingrollos comment though. I went to Epic and was fitted. Ended up with a Look 585 Optimum which, along with the Scott CR1 was one of few bikes short enough for me (see current BikeRadar review which comments on the shortness of this frame). I since also bought the aforementioned Ribble which is also very positively reviewed on Bikeradar. It is a bit of a bargain. I was happy to buy it without test riding because I knew it would fit being very close in geometry to the Look.

    Ultimately, the made to measure option is always there but you can probably find something non made to measure that fits perfectly as long as you are open minded about where to get the frame. But you do need to know what fits to start with. Given you already have a made to measure steel frame, I think all you need to match is the head tube height, the length of the virtual (horizontal) top tube and the angle of the seatpost. Everything else should follow on...........

    Ribble isn't a bad place to start -- since they source their frames form a number of different far eastern factories, they don't have as standard geometry as some companies (eg Bianchis are all too long for me).
    Faster than a tent.......
  • navier_stokes
    navier_stokes Posts: 77
    6'5" here with a perfectly fitting Look 566 from epic...
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    If you are anywhere near London, I presume that Condor Cycles would be able to offer you a bike fit and order one of their frames in custom sizing to suit you. I'm not sure what premium they would charge for custom fit but perhaps worth giving them a call if any of their frames appeal - check them out on their web site.
    http://www.condorcycles.com/2011-Range/ ... &keyword2=

    Peter
  • sonny73
    sonny73 Posts: 2,203
    I'm 6'2.5" and ride a size 58 Spesh Tarmac, so I can imagine the 61 would be ideal for you as already said, in either a Tarmac or a Roubaix. Also I tried out a Look 566 a couple of days ago and can also vouch for the comfort and quality of those.
    Even so I would also advise getting properly measured and finding a store with the model your after and try it out.
    The Tarmac and Roubaix Elite's can both be purchased for under £1500.
    Good luck.
  • johnacky
    johnacky Posts: 15
    Cheers all for the useful info, eventually decided upon a 2010 BEONE Blue http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=45894 for the discounted rate of £979

    Main reason being it comes in 62cm with a 61cm top tube, which seems longer than the top tubes on the other manufacturers websites.

    Anyone have any idea what the oversize bottom bracket is like, and can it be used with standard chainsets, as I am thinking of putting my 2008 Dura Ace chainset and bottom bracket on it, if it fits.

    Cheers all
  • 2alexcoo
    2alexcoo Posts: 251
    How does the head tube length on the BeOne compare with your current bike? The head tube looks quite short for such a big bike, so you'll have quite a large saddle-to-bar drop.
    Alex
  • johnacky
    johnacky Posts: 15
    Never thought of that, but my race bike has a really large head tube, and a couple of spacers underneath the stem. May have encountered my first problem.

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