Aerlix

Hi everyone,

My 63cm Trek 1400 from 2006 got nicked, and I'm having a hard time figuring out what to replace it with - ideally something with disks, and 105 or mechanical Ultegra around £2000, £2500 max.

I've liked the idea of an endurance bike for a long time, but I'm currently not seeing a single Trek Domane over 62cm, and Specialised only seem to do the Roubaix in 64cm if have over £3500.

Really I have two questions:

Does anyone have a good recommendation for something fast but a little relaxed available in 63cm+?

But also, am I wrong to worry that 62cm would be too small, when there are so many other frame geometry factors? For reference I am 6'6, pretty average proportions. I have a 64cm Surly Steamroller which I love, but that is extremely upright, so not particularly a case study in loving 64cm frames.

Thanks everyone!

GAtkins

I'm 6'4" and ride a 61cm Specialized Allez and a 62cm Trek Domane. I could have gotten along fine with a 60cm Trek, I think. As you know, 1cm is only 4/10ths of an inch.

Glenn

cyclist2000

When I look at frames, I look at top tube length and head tube length more than the seat tube. For me, a bit higher handlebar will make the bike more comfortable.
Also with frames with a sloping top tube, the seat tube is shorter than it would have been with a level top tube.

When looking at the sizing chart for the Domane, the 62 cm fit a 6'-4.8" person.
Specialized Diverge Base Carbon comes in 64 cm for $2500
Giant Defy is an endurance bike and the XL is sized for 6'-6" at the max height.

Aerlix

Thanks, that is useful advice. I'll pay a bit more attention to the top tube height and length, and the overall dimensions in general.

I feel inherently suspicious of manufacturer sizing guides (seems like they would rather not produce a 64 for the 30 of us who'll buy one), but perhaps it isn't totally founded. Given that a proper fitting probably isn't possible at the moment, I will ultimately get used to whatever I buy, without knowing how suitable it is or isn't. I've ridden other people's 55's before, and it's felt like driving a kids bike, whereas the 64 Surly felt like a bit of a revelation.

Next is just finding anything large in stock!

cyclist2000

Another thing to look at is to look at frames and build it up. It appears that Gunnar makes frames in your size. The Sport is their endurance bike is made in sizes up to 68 cm. Or for an additional cost it can be custom sized. I don't have any affiliation with Gunnar except that I have a Roadie and I am very happy with the bike.
Gunnar Bike Fit

brawlo

Canyon makes nice big bikes - they are legit big and they know how to make a great riding BIG bike (not a lot of manufacturers do IMO). I ride a 3yo Ultimate CFSL in 3XL (same as current 2XL size) at 6'5" in height

Duratec over in the Czech Republic also can make BIG bikes that ride well. My custom track frame (63cm TT) is from them and I'm really happy with how stiff it is.

jfoobar

KHS makes a steel road bike called the Flite 747 specifically for really tall riders:

https://khsbicycles.com/bikes/2020-k.../flite-747-20/

I am 6'4" and started out on a Jamis Renegade 61cm (their largest size) only to discover some time later that it is pretty much impossible for the bike to fit me properly (knee over pedal) without a pretty substantial setback seatpost (and it already comes with one with 16mm of setback). Just recently picked up a Surly Disc Trucker in 60cm that fits me perfectly, even though they also sell them in 62cm and 64cm as well. Just more evidence that the size can be pretty misleading.

Take a look at the sizing formulas that Vivente uses:

https://viventebikes.com/sizing/how-...out-your-size/

Now, you don't want a Vivente since they only make fairly upright touring bikes, but I love how they take the time to give customers a much more detailed formula for fitting themselves to the right bike (necessary in their case since they mail order so many of their bikes). It would be great if every bike manufacturer did the same thing so that customers could then be armed with better sizing information before they even visit an LBS. Bike shops, unfortunately, can have a habit of trying to hammer a square peg through a round hole when they just so happen to have that square peg in stock at the moment. The first Surly dealer I visited tried to do exactly that and fit me for a 58cm bike (which he just so happened to have in stock).

Aerlix

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I already have a 64 steel Surly Steamroller, which is currently single speed, but has all the mounts for a full group-set (think the finished machine ends up very similar to their Long Haul Trucker), so I'm ultimately less interested in anything steel.

The Canyon Endurance looks interesting, it's reach/stack @ 404 / 675 compares pretty well to a Specialized Roubaix 64 @ 417 / 652, and comes in a grand cheaper.

Unfortunately in the UK Canyon have signed up to a total unknown cycle to work tax-break scheme, and seem to suggest on their site that you hassle your HR to sign up (as if, that's such an utter non-starter), so that probably rules them out.

Moisture

The seat tube length does very little to determine how well the bike is going to fit you. The most important measurement would be the stack and the reach. Keep in mind that the way the saddle is positioned, and the length/shape of the stem is obviously going to make a difference here too.

Aerlix

Thanks, yes after some feedback in this thread I have disregarded seat tube length and now look at stack/reach. Given that tall people are relatively uncommon, and manufacturers cater much more for average builds, I imagine a fitting session would also help a lot. I had one for my Surly and that bike fits like a glove. I'd happily put gears on it, it's just very heavy and bendy for long weekend rides.

brawlo

If you are considering the fit option, do you have access to a fitter with a 'fit' bike (one that can be changed to mimic various frame dimensions)? Using a fitter with that facility can seriously help you to narrow down your choices and prevent you from throwing money away on something that doesn't fit properly

Moisture

Sorry to hear about your trek. I just picked up a 1980 norco monterey last week. Got flat bars on it. 63.5cm frame super comfortable bike.

I recommend buying any vintage road bike with a nice lugged steel or cromoly frame. Great bikes. 62cm will be fine with the right stem and handlebar attsxchment

Aerlix

Thanks, and that looks like a great bike.

As it happens, I have a steel frame Surly Steamroller, which really fits the classic steel brief. Currently single-speed, but could add gears at some point. Not quite as charming as the Monterey, but still has some old school allure.

I actually purchased a well-used 2012 carbon Trek Madone 3.5, 62cm. I would have liked something larger than 62, but I am also buying a new house, so it was the wrong time to be choosing a dream bike, and ultimately this seems OK.

The wheels are stock, and I would like to replace them with some Mavic Open Pro's, but same point re. house purchase applies, so I might wait to see whether these wheels break over the next few hundred miles.

Thanks for the advice everyone who chimed in!

Moisture

Just tension the spokes and they will last.

youll find a sweet selection of good bikes your size in the used market.

Best of luck