run123

I want to get into cycling so I am looking for an introductory road bike. I am a runner, so I am pretty sure I will stick with it. I am 6'5" (all leg) and am having trouble finding a bike that fits. Anyone have any suggestions?

rdclimbr

go to the bike shop and have them fit you...

Treefox

What's your inseam? (Real inseam, not your pants)

If you're, say, 6'3" + extra leg, you'll have few troubles - just make sure you've got a seatpost that'll go far enough up while still being safe. You'd be wanting a top tube length appropriate to your torso/arm size. Best to get well-fitted though by someone who knows what they're doing.

But even aside from that, there are big road bike frames out there - maybe you'll have slightly smaller selection, and perhaps the bother of the shop having to order things in specially for you, but 6'5" is by no means 'too tall' for stock frames.

Maybe longer cranks too, but in practise you'd probably not notice much difference.

schnabler1

6'3" here and comfy on a 60. 36" inseam.

You could go 63-65cm probably. We've got a 6'5" guy on our team that's what he rides.

There's a chart/calculator somewhere online that you use to calculate the ratio of your torso to your inseam or something and if you don't fall into that ratio they recommend a custom fit. Reason being is if you don't fall within a certain ratio, ie, your legs are WAY longer than your torso, you'll be too stretched out on the top tube if you get your seat tube correct.

Just go online and find 5 different calculators or books and check out different ways to calculate base fit and pick something.

Treefox

For whatever it may be worth, a quick look out of curiosity finds that Specialized's Allez frames and Felt's Z-series both go to 61; Orbeas seem to all go to 60, as do Bianchi Via Nirones.

...just a very quick random sampling...

BigSean

6'4 and I ride a 61 Tarmac.

Tapeworm21

The Specialized Roubaix Expert or Pro comes in a size 64 this year. That should work. Probably won't be able to test ride before buying though, I doubt any shop is stocking it.

Try a 61 first though, those things are pretty massive.

metal_cowboy

There are a lot of manufacturers that make 62cm+ frames. Cannondale, Rivendell, Waterford, Seven and others. You should keep an eye on Ebay for larger frames, they seem to show up often.

Fat Boy

You guys are fun to draft.

bigd

I'm 6'5" with a 37" inseam and ride a 63cm Trek 5000. I use a 5 1/2" stem and the seat post sticks out over 6". The bike handles well, I don't feel too scrunched up or stretched out and it doesn't look out of proportion like a circus bike or something. I would imagine that Treks more entry level models 1500 etc share the same geometry. I have also ridden an aluminum 62 cm specialized alez with no problems.

Carbon Unit

Calfee can go to 70cm. The Luna Pro frame is 1495.00.

Nachoman

I pedal with a friend of mine that rides a 72. I think it was custom built by Leonard Zinn. I would say that about one out of every five cyclists we encounter asks him what size bike he rides. It's that big!

ILUVUK

You're tellin' me! My buddy is 6'6" and 225lbs. I conserve a LOT of energy behind him!

RichinPeoria

Im 6'2" and here is what I recommend/did for myself...First go to Competitive Cyclist and use their bike fit calculator (dont pay for this service at a LBS..why? do they charge to size your feet at a shoe store?). Then start looking on-line for what you need. If you like to do research on-line and are good with your hands/tools you'll have allot more fun buying a frame, wheels and a parts set (Campagnolo gruppo) than going to a LBS and buying some overpriced crap off the floor. If you are not good with tools you can still have a LBS build it up with the parts you buy.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO


If you decide to build it yourself, have a look at the Scattante XRL Comp Frame and Fork in XL for 249$. Al frame, carbon fork, FSA headset, seat clamp, nice paint. Spares include touch-up paint, spare RD hanger..good deal.

Nimitz87

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=408180

OP check that out you can see that there are quite a few builders for tall riders.

now finding shoes pending your size can be a PITA.



haha I hear that ALL the time.




6'5 here 205lb riding a 60cm cannondale w/ a 120cm stem. seat to bar drop is something like 12cm I believe. will have to double check. my biking inseam is 36" I'm all torso.

Chad

flip18436572

I ride a 61cm Jamis and I am 6'3".

tombailey

64cm Fuji, 63cm Cannondale, 63cm Trek could all work.

rollin

So are you Fat Boy

BigBlueToe

I'm 6'4". I consider myself to be normally proportioned as far as my legs, arms, and torso go. I find the tallest frames from some manufacturers seem a bit too small for me. I have a 63cm Surly LHT touring bike that fits me like a glove, and I think there's enough room to stretch it for a 6'5" guy. I'm building an XXL Specialized Allez that's a 61cm frame. I'll let you know how that fits when it's finished. I know Cannondale has really large frames.

In short, I think there are choices out there for guys like you (and me?) but probably somewhat fewer than for more "normal" people. Kind of like buying clothes. How often can you go into a department store and find clothes that fit?

If you were REALLY HUGE (like 7 feet tall) then Leonard Zinn is the guy to talk to. But at you're moderate height (), that shouldn't be necessary.

Make sure you find a frame that really fits. Don't let anybody talk you into a frame that's "okay" as far as fit goes. I've lived with two bikes that were just a little small back in the day. They were both "okay", but when I finally got bikes that actually fit it was SO nice!

rruff

Maybe... but I doubt it. There is very little variation in the *reach* of bikes as you go up the sizes. The toptubes get longer primarily because the seat angles get slacker. The biggest real difference is the head tube length (ie height). If the OP has long arms he will likely fit just fine on a typical 58-60cm frame or even something smaller.

AlexTaylor

botto 

big john

Ryan Trebon is 6'5". Here's his 63cm Kona.

y33dave

I'm 6'5'' with about a 35" inseam... my cockpit length is 74.4.

I've been testing out new bikes lately - and have found the Cannondale Synapse 61cm is very comfortable. I also like the 63cm Six13.

good luck

My best suggestion is to find a bike shop that will do a quick fit and let you test bikes to your hearts content...

Each bike is a little different - and each maker's sizing seems to be different as well depending upon their geometry.

A good LBS will be able to help you though.

emcb1230

I'm 6'5" 215 and ride a 63 cm trek comfortably. Use the calculators referenced above to give you an idea of what you'll need. Like others have said, many companies carry stock frames that will fit you.