LemondFanForeve

Im in the process of buying a nice road bike, I have about $2500 to spend, and want something nice, that will last for a bit. My choices per se are limited, as we all know, most of the major bike mfr's dont make bikes in our size, Im 6 ft 6, and 235-240.

Ive found: Cannondale/Canyon/Colnago/Specialized are about the only ones who do make bikes in size 63/64, infact Colnago and Canyon go up to size 65/66. I like Felt bikes, but they just dont make 'em in "clyde size". I do have my eye on a sweet looking Colnago(C59 Italia 150th/C59 Italia), but wanted to get some advice from someone here if they own one?

Problem w/Canyon is, they dont ship to the US anymore(unless thats recently changed)

My question is(I know it sounds stupid, so pardon me if it does sound that way) anyone here have any first hand experience, or own one of these machines, that wouldnt mind offering up some suggestions/experiences with any of them?

I would imagine I'd also need a stronger wheelset? Sometimes i wish I was smaller.

Any suggestions/advice/opinions are welcome, and I appreciate it.

maidenfan

C59 for $2500? Thats usually a $5000+ frame & fork.

I'd suggest whatever Specialized, Canyon, Cannondale ultegra range bike that fits you and you like. You can usually find a nice bike in that range for your price.

Good luck and have fun.

LemondFanForeve

Whoah! had no idea they were that much(Colnago)? they dont have prices listed on their site, a bit out of my range if thats the price....Thanks for the info.

wrk101

If you think used, or even vintage steel, you will find a lot more large frames (bikes used to be larger then, and small vintage bikes are scarce). You can always build one up with a full modern drivetrain. All but one of my vintage bikes have modern drivetrains. Picked up a 65cm vintage bike a couple of days ago.

+1 A new Colnago is going to set you back way over that budget mark.

socalrider

nice merlin ti in 63cm local so cal craigslist

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...860536360.html

maidenfan

Thats a sweet bike. Check that one out Lemond, it it fits you, the frame will last forever and looks great!

LemondFanForeve

Thanks guys. I would like a more modern bike.

socalrider

That is hilarious.. Ti never goes out of style and will last a long time.. Many of the frames you have listed are in your price range for frame and fork only. Larger frames are harder to find but you can find them if you are patient and know what you want.

TrojanHorse

I have a 30 year old Merlin Road frame and I think the size is 61 cm and just a skosh too big for me (I'm 6'2). I've got it outfitted with new, high-zoot parts though.

I've never thought of it as not modern.

jethro56 

Trek's 2.3 is available in a 64 @ $1700 would give you room for upgrades. Their 5.2 Madone is available in a 64 but @ $3500 it's above your limit.

LemondFanForeve

Lol, sorry. By "modern" I meant like a cf or al framed bike, nothing wrong w/ steel obviously. Plus, theres atleast a bit of a warranty w/a more current bike, as opposed to vintage. Eventually, I probably will get a steel framed later down the road.

bigfred 

I'm curious. Where have you found a 65/66 Colnago? To the best of my knowledge they only build to 58/59. Mrs. Fred has a Colnago and if I could find one that fit, I just might as well. Even if they are made in Taiwan now.

LemondFanForeve

On their site, they have the 2 mentioned up to a size 65(and I think 66), go to the site, click on those bikes, and click on the sizing chart, there's 2 pages, it goes up to a 64/65 and I *think* a 66. Not sure if thats frameset only, but it appears they atleast build them that tall.

Edit: I just checked again, they come up to a size 65(go on Colnago.com, click on the 150th anniversary italia bike, click on "geometry", scroll down, click on the arrow going to the second page, a 65cm is the tallest they have listed)Hope this link works:

https://www.colnago.com/c59-anniversary/ (Go to the bottom of the chart, there's an arrow, click on it, and youll see that they do come in a 65)

Its funny, I mentioned that to my buddy Brian about how i liked that 59 italia Colnago , and he said" you do realize those arent even made in Italy anymore? they havent been made there in years, I dont know why they keep saying they build them in Italy, very nice bikes, but no different than any of the other mfrs".

bigfred 

I see where you looking now. It's only the C59's that they supposedly make in those sizes. I would be looking for more of a CX1 or CLX, for both cost and fit reasons and those they don't build that large. The C59 would just be cost prohibitive for what it is. For less than the cost of a C59 frame a complete 64cm Madone or Roubaix would probably win out.

But, they're still "painted in Italy". I think.

Seattle Forrest

I can't think of many in the size you're talking about ... but a 61 cm frame usually (?) comes with a 110 mm stem; a 130 mm would be like a 63 cm frame, and so on. Better to get the right frame size, but if you find that too limiting, you can probably make due.