Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

What size frame for 6'2" stud?

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

What size frame for 6'2" stud?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-27-20, 11:12 AM
  #1  
big chainring 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 6,883
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 752 Post(s)
Liked 730 Times in 353 Posts
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?
big chainring is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 11:27 AM
  #2  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,636

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4735 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times in 1,003 Posts
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.
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 12:00 PM
  #3  
Maelochs
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,491

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7652 Post(s)
Liked 3,477 Times in 1,836 Posts
Most studs are 2x4 .....
Maelochs is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 12:02 PM
  #4  
abshipp 
Senior Member
 
abshipp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,129

Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3361 Post(s)
Liked 3,638 Times in 1,244 Posts
Originally Posted by big chainring
Kids got 36" inseam, long arms so thinking 60cm.
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.
abshipp is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 12:04 PM
  #5  
Atlas Shrugged
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,659
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1248 Post(s)
Liked 1,323 Times in 674 Posts
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.

Last edited by Atlas Shrugged; 03-27-20 at 12:10 PM.
Atlas Shrugged is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 12:09 PM
  #6  
Maelochs
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,491

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7652 Post(s)
Liked 3,477 Times in 1,836 Posts
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.
Maelochs is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 12:42 PM
  #7  
deacon mark
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,971

Bikes: Habanero Titanium Team Nuevo

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 185 Times in 121 Posts
I am 6'2 with a 35 inch inseam and a 60 would be my choice no thought about it at all.
deacon mark is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 12:46 PM
  #8  
big chainring 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 6,883
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 752 Post(s)
Liked 730 Times in 353 Posts
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.
big chainring is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 12:49 PM
  #9  
69chevy
wears long socks
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,614
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 11 Posts
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
69chevy is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 12:59 PM
  #10  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,292
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8280 Post(s)
Liked 9,046 Times in 4,477 Posts
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.
big john is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 01:02 PM
  #11  
AudioSQ
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Posts: 24
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
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.
AudioSQ is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 01:05 PM
  #12  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,292
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8280 Post(s)
Liked 9,046 Times in 4,477 Posts
Originally Posted by big chainring
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.
Have you thought about putting him on one of your bikes to see what he does and doesn't like about the fit?
big john is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 02:04 PM
  #13  
downtube42
Senior Member
 
downtube42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,843

Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 896 Post(s)
Liked 2,064 Times in 1,081 Posts
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.
downtube42 is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 02:37 PM
  #14  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,636

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4735 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times in 1,003 Posts
Originally Posted by abshipp
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.
.
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.
Sy Reene is offline  
Likes For Sy Reene:
Old 03-27-20, 02:56 PM
  #15  
abshipp 
Senior Member
 
abshipp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,129

Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3361 Post(s)
Liked 3,638 Times in 1,244 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
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
abshipp is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 02:59 PM
  #16  
stevel610 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,299

Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times in 240 Posts
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.
__________________
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
stevel610 is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 03:10 PM
  #17  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,636

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4735 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times in 1,003 Posts
Originally Posted by abshipp
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
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.
Sy Reene is offline  
Likes For Sy Reene:
Old 03-27-20, 04:57 PM
  #18  
obrentharris 
Senior Member
 
obrentharris's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,528

Bikes: Indeed!

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1507 Post(s)
Liked 3,478 Times in 1,132 Posts
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
obrentharris is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 08:25 PM
  #19  
colnago62
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times in 230 Posts
This is really no way to size a bike. Take him somewhere where there is a knowledgeable person, have him measured and go from there. On YouTube there is a cyclist/videographer names Francis Cade and he has this thing he calls bike fit Tuesday. The fitter said something that made a lot of sense; Come to him before you go looking for a frame instead after and trying to get him make the wrong frame work. Frame specs matter. My road frame is a 60cm and my track frame is a 55cm. My track frame actually has a longer reach than my road frame. My road frame has a 58.7cm tt and my track bike has a 59.5cm tt. There are so many variables, it is hard to make a good choice based on what someone of the same size rides.
colnago62 is offline  
Old 03-27-20, 08:30 PM
  #20  
colnago62
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times in 230 Posts
Originally Posted by obrentharris
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.
colnago62 is offline  
Old 03-28-20, 05:22 AM
  #21  
seypat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times in 1,510 Posts
Originally Posted by big john
Have you thought about putting him on one of your bikes to see what he does and doesn't like about the fit?
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.
seypat is offline  
Old 03-28-20, 05:30 AM
  #22  
seypat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times in 1,510 Posts
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.

Last edited by seypat; 03-28-20 at 09:43 AM.
seypat is offline  
Old 03-28-20, 07:56 AM
  #23  
big chainring 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 6,883
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 752 Post(s)
Liked 730 Times in 353 Posts
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.
big chainring is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.