What size frame for 6'2" stud?
 

My son is looking at ordering a Moto Mirage from bikesdirect. He's new to cycling, only ridden mountain bikes. He's 6'2", 200 lb 4 year college baseball player, body builder, competitive powerlifter, certified personnel trainer, all round athlete. Dad is ex-racer from the golden age of cycling(70's), who still rides his classic 70's racing bikes and knows nothing about modern bike geometry.

The Mirage comes in 2cm increments. Thinking 60cm frame or should he size down to 58cm. Kids got 36" inseam, long arms so thinking 60cm. What say you?

normally a 58cm is what is specced for someone 6'2".. key word being normally. He might have long arms, but given he has a 36" inseam, that means I think a shorter than average torso (for his height).. and the 'armbone connects to the shoulderbone.."). So you maybe could do a 60, but be prepared to perhaps have to replace with a 1cm shorter stem than comes stock.

Most studs are 2x4 .....

Is that cycling inseam or pant inseam? Cycling inseam also known as pubic bone height in some circles.

I'm 6'2 with a 36" cycling inseam, and fairly long arms (if my struggles finding long-sleeve shirts is any indication) and like bikes with top tubes around 58cm. That would put me on the 60cm frame if I'm looking at the right bike.

Of course, so long as you're close, you can probably get any size to work, but the smaller frames will put the handlebars lower than the larger frames, given the same stem. Naturally, the larger frames will raise the handlebars at the expense of stem length to keep relative positions the same.

I am 6'2" myself with average flexibility. I normally ride a 60 to 61 frame. I would find a 58 to small. If the rider places numerous spacers below the stem and runs a sharply angled riser stem my opinion is the frame is small. I find an appropriately sized frame results in a more comfortable and balanced ride. I see many riders posting vanity shots of their new bicycles with over a 1" of spacers under the stem and a +17 degree stem. Not sure what the advantage of this sizing model is.

I am about the same size .... and generally fit best on a 56 (except i sometimes get toe overlap, because my feet are abnormally long.) But .... I have a comically short torso, and very long limbs, and limited shoulder flexibility. So .... yeah, something between a 58 and 60-62 probably ... but it really depends upon proportion and flexibility.

I am 6'2 with a 35 inch inseam and a 60 would be my choice no thought about it at all.

Thanks, appreciate the comments. Feeling better about going 60cm. My son though just 2" taller than me really dwarfs me. He's super built and fit. Think he's going to love cycling.

I'm almost 6'4" with long arms and ride a 57.5cm, and would buy a 56cm if I was buying new.

Bigger frames have taller headtubes and even with a slammed stem at -17 degrees have you sitting pretty upright.

EDIT: My cycling inseam is 36 as well

I'm a similar sized stud and for that bike I would go with the 60 or 62. I'm not flexible so I like the tall head tube so I don't have to use a ton of spacers. My current bike has a 230mm head tube and a 59cm top tube.

I'm 6'2" and prefer 58cm. I've tried 60cm, but it always feels a little too stretched. My legs are a little shorter though, and I don't ride in an aggressive stance.

Have you thought about putting him on one of your bikes to see what he does and doesn't like about the fit?

We have so many road bike options these days, with things they call gravel, all road, adventure, bike packing, cross, most of which can be configured to most applications. The days when you have to buy on seat tube height and accommodate with stupid long or short stems is past.

FYI, the geometry chart has 2 separate TT listings.. the far right column is effective top tube, which most bike geo charts use more often, and the 58cm bike shows a ~578mm effective top tube, ie. pretty close to your 58cm mention.

I did see that, but good to point out.

With the kind of fit I like, I would rather take the extra stack height of the 60cm and just go with a 10mm shorter stem :thumb:

You are getting good answers. The bottom line of which is different people of similar heights use different size frames.

For an entry level priced bike he would do best to go to the local bike shop and try a few bikes...then buy from then. If he takes to riding he will outgrow the bike he buys now and want something else in a year or two. If he doesn't, he will need the help of the LBS for repairs and such.

May help others with advice who have experience with Trek Emonda.. but from what I can tell, the geo of this Moto is pretty much identical to an Emonda.

Baseball player. Power lifter. Body builder. Usually not the most flexible guys on the block. He may want to go with the larger frame so that he doesn't have to bend over quite so far to reach the bars.
Brent

I used to lift at a powerlifter/Bodybuilder gym. These people were pretty serious. There was gal there who weighed 175lbs. and would sets of 400lbs. On the squat rack. The powerlifters/ Olympic lifters seemed pretty flexible to me.

This is the best place to start. Also the cheapest. No need to spend serious coin yet. He may not take to cycling. Or, he goes back to what he was doing post virus crisis.

I am in the same situation. Son is stuck at home and wants to ride a bike. I have many, and we are the same size. Also, will get one ready for my daughter. I bought it last year, but she hasn't shown interest till now. There are always silver linings in negative events/situations.

My son started a new job in Washington DC. I am in Chicago so he's not able to try my bikes. At $400 the Mirage will be a nice bike for him. If he gets into riding he can get something better when he has more money.