Trackliche

As a pretty tall trackie, I've had a lot of difficulty finding a frame that fits correctly. Even most "XL" sized track bikes have an effective reach of no more than 440mm or effective stack of no more than 545mm. Additionally, most of these bikes are lower-end aluminum options, which at that size generally provides a less-than-acceptable amount of stiffness and coolness compared to carbon. While these issues probably seems like an eye-roller to a lot of you less outsized types, it's hardly a joke for we tall folk- particularly the more sprint-minded among us. A flimsy bike without enough length feels stupid, looks stupid, and fits stupid.
In order to solve a problem, the first step is to properly identify the problem. The poll above has a few options for what I would think are common(ish) problems that are found in stock "big" bikes. Please indulge me by selecting all that apply to your own situation. And respond to the thread! Let's start working out the problem.

-TC

trackattack

Yes! This!

I've had a lot of issue finding frames that fit, too. Currently riding custom steel, but it ain't what I had hoped. All the carbon jobbies are just too too too small. I wish that Alien V3 frame had caught on a little better. Something like that would be nice. But I think even that one had a really short headtube.
I'd like a stack/reach of 550mm/480mm. Aw yeah. And something stiff enough to make up for those crazy long tubes. Double aw yeah.

Hermes

Sorry, but I do not understand this thread.

I get that you are a taller (how tall?) cyclist and you are having trouble finding a frame set. Both Dolan and Felt (I own both), offer large frame sets and the 61 Felt has a 607 mm effective top tube with a head tube of 195 mm. I have a 58 cm TK2 and it is a great bike, stiff and does not hold me back. Although, I like my Dolan DF3 better. I think the largest Dolan has an effective TT of 575 mm with a head tube of 167 mm.

Quinn8it

I get it- I'm 5'9" and ride the 57cm Dolan DF3

i get that I'm a mutant- with short legs and long arm/torso but it's hard for me to understand how there is only one size bigger..

Hermes

Track is a very small market - just not enough volume to justify the molds. It sucks.

trackattack

Er, what? Just to make sure I'm reading you correctly: You have a bike that you like, but you have another that you like better. They both fit, but the one that you like better doesn't come in a very large size. Is that right?
I'm 6'6", and the TK2 isn't a good fit. And it's also evidently not as nice as a Dolan- which also doesn't fit. The TK2 also probably isn't as nice as a TK1, Fuji Elite, Cerveo, Serenity, Planet X, Argon 18, LOOK, BT, Cipollini, Teschner or a Koga- all of which don't fit.

Quinn is 5'9". That's right on the average for a man in the US. The average female height is 5'4". At 6'6", I'm almost twice as much taller than Quinn than he is of an average woman. And because he's got an odd morphology, he's already on the second-largest size. Think if your entire body is an odd morphology.

I'm rather defeated on the issue. I'm a 99th percentile. I'm used to not being able to buy suits (or shirts, for that matter!) off the rack. I can't find shoes in local stores. The number one priority with buying/renting a car isn't fuel mileage, colour, or horsepower- it's headroom. Doorways that don't meet code are quite a hassle. Washing dishes is a back exercise. Niche sport equipment that isn't built for me is no surprise.
That said, I'm certainly going to come out of the woodwork to contribute to a thread that is based on issues I face all the time. Makes perfect sense to me.

8bits

the largest TK1 has a 600mm top tube and the TK2 has a 607mm top tube, I would guess that it does fit you don't it?

brawlo

I'm fortunate enough to have 2 of the Alien V3s. One early incarnation that I've turned fixie and my current racer. I'm ultra worried as to what I'd do if the main one breaks for whatever reason! But of course I'm only a shortie at 6'5".

Trackliche

You lucky dog! I'm always keeping an eye out for one. Do you know the guy? Any rumor whether he intends to start up again?

-TC

brawlo

I'll PM you

carleton

Hoy Bikes

XL:
TT: 60cm
Stack: 538mm
Reach: 446mm

I'd put this on par with the Felt TK2 and above the Cervelo (T1 or T3), Serenity (known seatpost issues), Planet X (non-high modulus carbon), Argon 18 (poor geometry), and Cipollini (road fork and $7,000USD...really??).

Velocirapture

Track bikes are not 'too small' they are 'too small for you'.

brawlo

On the subject of tallness and smallness, did the tall folk see the UCI rule change for TT for riders over 190cm? Gone from 80cm to 85cm BB to bar tip.

Trackliche

Great! Had not seen that.
I don't have enough posts to respond to your PM. Thanks for the info. I will send an answer soon.

-TC

gtrob

omg really? This makes me so happy, as Im 196 and can NOT get comfortable without being a good 2-3cm over the 80cm limit. At 85 (which I will use completely) I can actually move my seat forward to where I want it.

brawlo

It was on facebook, so it must be true! Actually the source is pretty reliable although I can't find any changes on the UCI site. Changes will be to 1.3.023

gtrob

Ive found a few resources online to back it up, seems legit enough for me to refit my bike

DMC707

Sorry --- custom steel is where its at --- Yamaguchi, Don Walker, etc etc. --- a bike built with Columbus Max will be a bit heavier than the carbon jobbie your 5'3 girlfriend rides, but what did ya expect

----- no easy answers --

carleton

?

No. Custom aluminum is a better choice than custom steel. For a given weight, it will be stiffer or to put it a different way, for a given stiffness, it will be lighter.

Hida Yanra

BAM.
There aren't as many people doing custom alum as custom steel- but there are options.
Aluminum is great, stiff, light, and (reasonably) cheap.