Very Tall Rider requires buying advice

ajmcqueen
ajmcqueen Posts: 3
edited October 2009 in MTB buying advice
Hi
I'm 6 feet 8 inches tall, weigh 240lb and am 46 years old and reasonably fit - cycle 20-30 miles per week.
I have custom made road bikes but survive with a Giant XTC 23(?) inch hardtail from 2006 for off-road.
It's OK, but my saddle is so high I put a lot of pressure on my hands on the handlebars.

I want to get a full suss bike to try and keep up with my 15 year old son on trails in East Sussex - Bedgebury Pinetum, the South Downs and maybe Welsh mountains. Not a lot of jumping at my age but rough cross country.

Am looking at a Giant Anthem X4 as that's the only one with the x-large frame (which is probably still too small for me!).
Not an unlimited budget but could get a cheaper, heavier bike now, like the Anthem (to get the bigger frame as I believe they all use the same frame, size diffs notwithstanding) and slowly replace parts with better, lighter components as time and money allows. Really I need a frame which will last me a long time.

Any suggestions? Should I look at a 29er perhaps?

Thanks

Comments

  • Big 29er.. but only to 22" so I don't know if that'd suit.
    http://bikes.konaworld.com/09/09_heihei29deluxe_uk.cfm

    Ideally you need to go to a bike shop, ask what could be big enough, then try it out for size.
  • What about one of these sir. :wink:

    PennyFarthing.jpg


    Starting again!!!!
  • M6TTF
    M6TTF Posts: 602
    i tried a 29erlast weekend and loved it - I tested a Kona big unit singlespeeder, and it was great, althoughsingle speed isnt for me!

    handling and riding isn't as different as I was expecting, it just felt 'different'

    im looking at a GaryFisher x-caliber as an addition to my garage
  • iircSingular cycles started out specifically because the owner was p*ssed off not being able to get bikes big enough for him. They specialise in 29er bikes and almost all bigger frame sizes, but all steel HT

    La Pierre make XL frames but I suspect you'll be out of luck looking for anything bigger than 23" (which is already huge fr an MTB frame)

    do you have a picture of your bike? I suppose if you have custom road bikes than you have though of things like longer steerers, high rise stems and riser bars to try and even up the cockpit?

    Benj is right though, you need a decent bike shop ... or a custom MTB frame maker (Van Nicholas do custom Ti frames for only 100 Euros more than their off the peg models) but I don't know of a custom FS frame maker
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
    Beer in moderation ... is a waste of beer

    If riding an XC race bike is like touching the trail,
    then riding a rigid singlespeed is like licking it
    ... or being punched by it, depending on the day
  • A good friend of mine is 6ft 6.He loves his On One Scandal 29er,in 21" frame size which fits him well.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • Ok,

    Well thanks for the advice. I was secretly hoping there was someone out there who made a 25 inch MTB frame which could suit me down to the ground!
    Of course, as I have now learnt, frame size measurements can vary from one manufacturer to another and I really need to try some "big" bikes and see what their like.

    I have seen some custom hardtail MTB frames but not full suss.
    Guess I'll bide my time and see what comes along as the wife will not be happy if I get yet another custom frame.

    Maybe that penny farthing might do it though........?

    Thanks for your help everyone,
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    It might not suit you though - not if the geometry is not for you.

    Some XL may have the perfect reach for you, and just need a long seatpost.

    WIth your current bike a higher rise stem and bar combo will help you.
  • missmarple
    missmarple Posts: 1,980
    You're 6ft8? Blimey, what car do you drive?
  • I'm 6'9'' and have just bought a spesh rockhopper as it comes with a 23'' frame. What i found was that the top tube is longer than pretty much every other bike i tried and the geo is set in a way that the seat post doesn't need to be so much higher than the bars that you put any additiional pressure on your arms / wrists. Might be worth looking at their full range to see what other bikes they produce with larger frames.
  • rubins4
    rubins4 Posts: 563
    I'm 6' 5'' and ride a 14'' kona stuff on 24'' rims! :lol::lol: Its like a bmx! I've even done some mileage on it down in Cornwall. Its not ideal by any means, but i love it. I would really like to have a decent ride on a bike that was of a proper fit, perhaps even a 29er, as covering any real distance is a nightmare, the 24s roll so much slower than my friends on 26's.

    OP, let us know how you get on with your search! :P
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12613038
    Anyway, fk dis, I iz off 4 a ride innit. l8rz peepz
  • Fastflo
    Fastflo Posts: 45
    I'm 6'4" with a 36" inside leg, I have an XL Lapierre Zesty, I wouldn't recommend a bigger frame or you may struggle uphill on tight bends!!!!!!!

    I found Specialized,Commencal and Lapierre all do XL frames
  • Daz555
    Daz555 Posts: 3,976
    Shouldn't you guys be playing basketball or something? 8)
    You only need two tools: WD40 and Duck Tape.
    If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
    If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.
  • tobciocc
    tobciocc Posts: 276
    Hi I'm 6ft 4ins and fit very well on my 21" Rockhopper, the toptube is longer than most which is why I chose it. I think the 23" is probably good for you, it's a very big bike.
    Gabba Gabba Hey