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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: freeDHBdom on October 02, 2017, 06:51:17 PM

Title: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: freeDHBdom on October 02, 2017, 06:51:17 PM
Hi!

I love riding my bike but it doesn't take much for me to get some serious discomfort in the seat area. It is a big bike that I got when I was probably 6'1'' in 8th grade, but I am 6'6'' (in decent shape) now and I have to hunch over too far. I'm scared to invest a ton in a new bike because I won't know for sure if it'll end up being a waste of money and still hurt too much. I went to the doctor thinking I had a hernia before the doctor connected the dots to the biking.

Any tall men who had this problem have a recommendation?
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: Sunshineanddaisies on October 03, 2017, 09:46:16 AM
Bike fit is super important, and worth it to figure out. A bad one will cause pain. A good one means you never think about how once upon a time the fit was bad.

I volunteer with a local volunteer recycling bike group, and we sometimes receive larger frames that no one wants to buy. You may try searching locally for a shop that recycles bikes... You just may get lucky with a larger frame.

Alternatively, DH has a frame that is too small he made work by adding a super long stem he ordered offline. You could look also at seat angle...

Honestly, if you love biking/ bike often, just spend the money and get a frame that works. A new bike cared for well can last a very long time if it's well made. I understand the waste of money concern, so we usually change parts on a bike until we get it to fit better.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: frugaliknowit on October 03, 2017, 10:15:44 AM
What size bike frame is your bike?  Frame size is based primarily on pants inseam size (leg length).  Some folks (myself included) are "mostly leg" for a given height, while others are "mostly upper body".  I ask this because at your height, you may need a custom frame, or you might need the largest standard size with some seat and or handlebar adjustments.

This is how you measure a bike frame:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsepwlfQcDA

This is how you estimate what size frame you need:  https://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer

I think doing the above will prove insightful.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: GuitarStv on October 03, 2017, 10:24:39 AM
You can almost always make a bike that's a bit too small fit.  It's usually just a matter of extending the seat post to allow optimum leg position, and then getting a longer stem to put your handlebars further out in front.

If your ass hurts from the saddle, try a few different saddles out and ride with bike shorts.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: JJ- on October 03, 2017, 10:32:32 AM
I'm your height. What length pants do you wear?

 You can take your own measurements (inseam, torso, reach) and go from there. If you're mostly legs, you can make a 63cm frame work as Guitarstv mentioned by sticking a longer stem on it. If you're more torso, you'll need something a little bigger top tube wise. You're entering custom bike range there. Surly makes big bikes if you're looking for steel.

If your sit area is sore, try different saddle widths. I have ridden both small bikes with wrong sized saddles before addressing both.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: GuitarStv on October 03, 2017, 10:38:43 AM
Wider bars will also increase your reach on the bike.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: freeDHBdom on October 03, 2017, 08:34:05 PM
Thanks for the advice. It sounds like my frame is probably fine (60 cm?) but I might need to angle the saddle forward or raise the handlebars if I want the seat high enough to get full leg extension.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: GuitarStv on October 04, 2017, 07:53:02 AM
You need to raise the saddle to get full leg extension.  Handlebars should only be raised if you're getting pain in your back from leaning forwards too much.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: JJ- on October 04, 2017, 08:40:00 AM
60 cm could work but sounds small for a 6'6" fellow. If it's comfortable after getting proper leg height and you're not way past the seat tube Max length, then ride it.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: katscratch on October 04, 2017, 08:43:21 AM
Go get fitted at a bike shop.

I've had adjustments of as little as one centimeter that made the difference between pain and being able to ride 8 hours straight. There are things I can't feel or see from my position on the bike that a fitter can while watching me pedal.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: Ocelot on October 06, 2017, 07:42:11 AM
Go get fitted at a bike shop.

I've had adjustments of as little as one centimeter that made the difference between pain and being able to ride 8 hours straight. There are things I can't feel or see from my position on the bike that a fitter can while watching me pedal.

This. It will cost you some money - and if it doesn't, you're probably not dealing with someone who knows what they're doing - but it will be the best money you could possibly spend on your bike. Sometimes smaller frames can be made to fit, sometimes they can't. I suspect that a 6'6" body on a 60cm frame is not going to work, but it depends on the geometry of your body and the frame. Generally once you start lifting the saddle up too high and throwing a stem that's too long on you open up a can of worms in terms of biomechanical issues, for example your crankset winds up way too far in front of your hips and your weight winds up too far back so steering becomes a problem. A good fitter will be able to tell you very quickly what will work and what won't. This is not a place to save a few bucks, the long-term effects will well and truly pay for themselves.
Title: Re: Tall bike recommendation?
Post by: ChpBstrd on October 06, 2017, 01:23:06 PM
Thanks for the advice. It sounds like my frame is probably fine (60 cm?) but I might need to angle the saddle forward or raise the handlebars if I want the seat high enough to get full leg extension.

I ride a 60cm road bike, but I'm also 5'11".