Sixty Fiver

First question is where do you live and is there a local builder than can accommodate you at a price point you can handle.

Your height and lack of reach means that a bike that is the right height will have a top tube that is proportionately too long as most frames are built square with matching seat tube and top tubes while some have a little additional top tube length for more aggressive riding.

The price on the Habanero is excellent... we build custom frames and specialize in building for larger individuals and prices start at 1600.00 for the frame and fork... and a trip to Canada would be costly.

You can find vintage frames in uber large sizes but they are hard to come by as their production numbers are less than average sized frames and then you want to make sure the frame will be built strongly enough and deliver the right ride characteristics.

When you extend a head tube to be 9 or ten inches and have a fork steerer that is even longer you want to ensure the materials are up to snuff... have seen a lot of very tall frames with damaged / buckled frames because the frame tubes were not up to the rider's needs.

datlas 

I did a TON of research before I got my habby.

If you are ok with steel you can probably find a local steel framebuilder to build you a made-to-measure bike for a reasonable price. And that would probably be reasonable.

If you want Ti go with the Habanero.

Sixty Fiver

Zinn knows his stuff (more than I do) and repeats what I have said about builders scaling up their frames without taking into consideration the extra strength that is needed for such builds... one of of our customers says that both his tandem and road bike are the only bikes he has ever ridden that do not shimmy or develop a death wobble at high speed.

He was in the bicycle business for many years and raced and none of his sponsors could provide him with a bike he felt secure on... when he talks about high speed he is referring to descents at 50mph plus and is six foot eight.

AaronAnderson

Good info; thanks.

I hover just under 170lbs BTW, and probably have reached 50mph one time in the last 5 years.

Sixty Fiver

This is all stuff to consider... most people your height will often curb out at over 200 at a normal weight.

datlas 

Aaron, I think you could do fine with either a local framebuilder (steel) or Habanero. You may also wish to look at Tsunami, they do a nice job of custom aluminum frames and have a good reputation and a decent price.

Of course, I am still partial to my Habanero.

Send PM if you want more low-down on Habanero.

datlas 

Still too fat for this sport.

BTW I am "only" 6 feet (but with a 38.5 inch cycling inseam), 144 pounds....and still too fat for this sport!

Sixty Fiver

Understandable why you went custom... you were fitted with the wrong legs at the factory.



I have a few close friends with 38 inch inseams who are 6'3 and 6'4 and they struggle with fit... one day I will build them their own custom frames as gifts.

Inertianinja

i think lots of manufacturers are building bikes with longer head tubes lately - Parlee comes to mind as one with a really long HT.

StanSeven

Anyone 6'5 and over should consider one of these

https://zinncycles.com/Zinn/index.php/archives/1465

datlas 

fify

AaronAnderson

Ooh! big cranks!

LesterOfPuppets

mega head tube! top tube's probably a tad tall though.

AaronAnderson

Love it. I want it.

LesterOfPuppets

If you're in Orlando, you're in business. Only $180.

https://orlando.craigslist.org/bik/2574116585.html

ColonelJLloyd 

While most of us don't care for the aesthetics of a sloping top tube, it makes a whole lot of sense for a person with your fit requirements.

LesterOfPuppets

Seven has a couple with mega HT also. As well as some sloping TT models like the Col. mentioned.

hairnet

argggg I know the struggle. I have acquired two old mega frames, but only one is built up.

Sixty Fiver

Fork appears to be bent.

Curve in the blades is wrong and the line from the head tube through the fork main is off.

bbattle

Check out Holland bikes. They build custom bikes for every size.

StanSeven

Where do you get that? I think most people here do like sloping top tubes (except for the C&V forum).

motobecane69

not to mention that he said that large frames don't necessarily work for him because of the very long top tubes, some of those vintage bikes still seem to be pretty long too.

AaronAnderson

That's sweet looking.