jehuie

Hey all. I am not officially in my mid-50's and not in great shape. But I'd like to start riding again and I'm hoping a decent bike will get me motivated. I am 6'6" tall and about 225 pounds so I need something big. And it would be nice if it was somewhat proportional. I was reading that longer cranks can make a big difference but they can also hit the ground when banking.

Anyway, I'd love some recommendations for a good bike for under $1,000. Well under preferably. Used is great. I actually went to a couple local bike stores and they did not give me much confidence that they were really sizing something for me. It felt more like they just wanted a quick sale. I'm not looking to become a pro but I'd like something nice enough to work for me.

I'll probably just be riding around the area until I can work up to riding to work. It's only a few miles but has pretty daunting hills so I'd like something to help with that.

Do you guys have any good recommendations for brands to start with? I'm not opposed to a Craigslist used bike pickup but also like the idea of supporting the local shop.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

John

jehuie

Oh...and I am in the East San Francisco bay area if that makes a difference.

expatbrit

6'7 and a bit lighter than you here. It'll depend on your proportions (and budget). If budget is low, I suggest the Competitive Cyclist sizing tool (as a start) and then shop CL for big frames, check the geo. However -- if you can afford it, shop around the local bike shops, find the one you like, have them help fit you on a bike. Buy bike from them

jehuie

Like I just saw this on CL. I just don't know anything about bikes so I don't know if this is for me or not:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik...635673549.html

I like the looks of it. Although I prefer upright handlebars. How do I determine good gearing for hills for an out of shape old dude? Ha

jehuie

Cool. I just Googled it and will fill in my info for the sizing tool. Thank you for that! What is the geo?

expatbrit

Geometry Definitely suggest you go chat to a good local bike shop...

csport

Soma makes large (66cm) frames (e.g., Double Cross, Smothie, ES, Fog Cutter): Frames | SOMA Fabrications They are located in the Bay Area. I think American Cyclery's owner is their co-founder, https://americancyclery.com/
Good thing about buying a frameset is that the fork comes with uncut steerer, and this allows one to move the handlebars up and down as desired. If you want flat handlebars you can build it with a "mountain" components, which will be cheaper than the "road" components. You can go with a 9s or 8s triple drivetrain, it is totally adequate.
You can stop by that shop and ask them.

jsigone

Not many shops will stock a 61 or larger bike. I'm not sure how flexable you are. If not so much, taller head tube the better but most will be in the 210-220 range Plus spacer and angle of the stem.

Much harder to find larger then 61 in the new or used market for under a grand. Don't be scared to go to the shop and ride the largest bike they have, even if it's outside your price range. You need to SEE what the bike feels like, work the the budget later.

Here are a few 61s in budget-ish
https://www.jensonusa.com/Masi-Giramondo-2018

https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.co...a-305248-1.htm

https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.co...a-305255-1.htm

RiddleOfSteel

You are a touch taller than I. I'm 6'5" (ok, 6'4.5" it rounds up!) and 215 lb, so we are both in the same club of "what's the tallest thing you have?" I mostly live in the Classic & Vintage sub-forum and there are plenty of vintage bikes in the 25"/63.5cm frame size that fit us--from race bikes to sport touring to full touring. Vintage Cannondales could be had in 27" (68.5cm) frame size for their big strong tourers or 66cm for their later ('80s, and into the '90s) race frames. That Cannondale you found looks good, and thankfully bikes from the '80s to the '00s can be rearranged and reconfigured quite easily. Since I build my bikes from the (purchased) frameset on up, I'm fine with sourcing everything and doing all the labor. If you're not looking to do that, as many people are (1000% understandable!), there are new and used options. Obviously budget plays a a factor. Gunnars are spendy but the man behind the brand is very tall. KHS Flite 747 is more road influenced, but specifically designed for really tall guys (collaboration with Zinn himself. 200mm crankset arms (long!) and a very tall head tube to get the bars up to a comfortable height. Plenty of frame length and room for beefy tires (28mm are standard here. Trek sells a few road bikes in 64mm sizes that have plenty of head tube height (I ride a 62cm Emonda and that's real nice). Soma has a few 66cm frames (Smoothie ES model).

You're in a prime area for bikes, so if you can find and talk to a few local bike shops, they should be able to help with sizing, general fitment advice, and bikes/companies to look into. Tall bikes, new and used, may not be common, but they are 100% out there. My fleet of tall steeds confirms that (as does frequent Craigslist browsing, haha). We just have to look a little harder for it, but when we do find something that fits well, it's fantastic!

Kobe 

The Cannondale you posted it looks like a great bike and would probably fit well if you want drop bars and an aluminum frame. If you plan to convert it to upright bars then that would set you back about $200 for shifters, bar and cables.

It sound like to me you are looking for a hybrid. Trek makes their FX series in a 25" frame, they star at $400 and go up depending on components and if you want disk brakes. Also KHS has a steel frame hybrid (my preference for comfort) , that come in a 25" frame KHS Urban.

squirtdad

from southbay (san jose) craigslist just to give and idea, budget would help and what you are looking for.

25 in Centurion, nice shape $350
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik...620791798.html

25 inc centurion, made into fixie, but not hard to put back to at least a 1xN setup $100
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik...614248219.html

25 inch Bianchi $150
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik...639204498.html

63 cm cannondale $750 (note wheels are low spoke count)
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik...638857743.html

63cm nishkii $250
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik...636624718.html

JReade

I think you should go talk to other shops, and talk about what size you can fit. I'm 6'5" but I ride a 58cm. You'll have a range that you can fit on, Mine is 58-63, depending on geometry.

brawlo

You're tall, yes, but it does depend on your proportions. I'm "only" 6'5" but my long legs and arms mean I am up there with the largest of bikes. I ride a 3XL Canyon these days. That Cannondale @jehuie linked or the bikes @squirtdad linked would be a great start. Personally, I would start with something cheaper and second hand. You can definitely ride anything with a top tube of 59cm or longer without issue, even though it won't necessarily be the right fit (I started out on a 59cm top tube bike) and you can measure that one on the bike itself without having to chase any old geometry charts. I would also look at the head tube length and get a bike that had the longest one you can find. Stems are easy to get up to 150mm long to lengthen out the cockpit. If you go the second hand route, go back and browse new bikes and pay particular attention to what brand new running gear, especially cassettes and their tooth profiles look like. When you look at used bikes compare their running gear to that. If the gear is worn out it would mean more costs on top of purchase, or is something to haggle a price down a bit.

If you want an easier path, the new bikes @jsigone mentions are worth a look. I would also go and see a Felt stockist as they also make good and large road bikes

jehuie

Thank you everyone! Your info has all been very useful. Out of all of them mentioned so far, these two seem more like what would suit me. And the prices are not out of reach either even if I go new. I may try just being on the lookout for a new one like these in my size. But I will plan on stopping by a local bike shop and trying one out and asking about a sizing.

expatbrit

Bingo! Cannot agree more!

coldinwisc

I'm 6' 7" and 240lbs and ride the KHS 747 XL. I recommend that you consider this bike. It was designed by Lennard Zenn and comes with 200mm cranks. I'm a believer in these big cranks and now have a hard time riding my MTB with its 175mm cranks.

FrenchFit 

I built up a 68cm bike for a 6' 7" friend, found it on Craigslist, sent it to powercoat, did a few luxury modes. Probably $500 all in, and it's a gorgeous ride. Big frames do come up on CL, you just have to be patient.

New, I would pick the KHS 747 XL as the poster above recommends. I would not trust anything I was told at the LBS.. -- His LBS sold hm a 64cm Cannondale, and it was a miserable.fit. Criminal.

ahanulec

I'm endorsing this line of thinking. I'm over 6'4" and my Felt F85 was only a 58cm. I couldn't imagine getting on a bigger frame than that. Try out a few and see what works before buying something you are unhappy with.

starkmojo

I am 6'6" and have had a number of bikes over the years; 60cm always seems to short for me, but 62-63 seem good depending on the maker. (mime were Trek 62 and Cannondale 63 iirc) currently on a Kona Jake (62) that works fine too. Cant stress riding enough; ever maker has a different take and you will fit with some better than others. I have never ridden a Fuji or Bianchi that fit even their largest sizes. This despite lusting after a Bianchi bike for years.

Sullalto

Jumping on this bandwagon. I'm 6'5", but with relatively short legs, long torso&arms with a giraffe neck. I can ride some 58cm bikes, some 62.

jehuie

I'm the original poster....I haven't had a chance to go to a small bike shop yet. I did go to REI and asked for a bike sizing. But they said they don't do an official one and just give big bikes to big people basically. They did not have any bikes in my size to even try out that were already built. They recommended their store brand bike of course. Or Cannondale.

I'll get to a small bike store soon though and report back.

jehuie

tt
But what do you guys think of this bike? $350 on CL and it's still new with the box.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik...646384510.html

New Raleigh Cadent 2 Urban Fitness Bike Green Size XL for 6'-6'4" Tall - $350

brawlo

It would do to get you started. BUT consider that you get less reach with a flat bar than you do when out on the hoods of a drop bar. If you're happy, get out there and get riding. You will undoubtedly work out what type of riding appeals to you more and upgrade to something more suitable when your budget allows. For me, I'm a whole lot different in my riding tastes than where I thought I'd be when I started out.