I’m posting this for a friend who is very tall (6’7"). This may be a dumb question, but what bike manufacturers make good bikes in that size range? Anything to watch out for? Does handling get funny at the largest sizes?
Also, he doesn’t have a trainer because the heel of his bike shoe hits the frame of most trainers! Any suggestions here? Trainers for tall people with big feet?
I’m 6’6" and have a 61cm Cervelo P3SL seems like a good fit so far but I have only been on the trainer with it. and I have size 50 shimano shoe and it never hits my kk road machine. how big are his feet?
I woud HIGHLY recommend getting a bike fit first (important for pretty much everyone, even more so, if you are really tall or really short). Height is a poor indicator of bike fit and for your tall friend, an even worse one. Flexibility and core strength will have an even greater effect on fit compared to a shorter personal. The problem is that if you go by fit charts or calculators, you may end up with a bike that requires so many compromises just to make it work that it won’t handle well. Hence, get a fit first and the shop for the best fitting bike.
Zinn
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All the major manufacturers make road bikes that will fit your friend. That is to say, trek, specialized, giant, fuji and others.
In the $8,000 triathlon super bike world he will have to look more, bu if he is just getting started, a nice road bike or lower end tri bike should be fine.
He is definitely looking at the 60 to 63 cm sizes.
My father in law is 6’7" and rides a Felt F85 in the 63cm size. Loves it - no handling complaints either.
Guru custom
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To add on, 6’6" and I ride a 63cm Cannondale CAAD10 road bike and Size L Giant Trinity advanced for my TT/tri bike.
And that’s a bummer; I’m a 48-50 shoe depending on the brand, but I’ve found it SUCKS when you need anything over 48 for most. I’ve never had the problem you’re describing with the trainer, but I just hopped on mine in regular sneakers just now and see that if I had my cleats positioned a bit more forward, it could be an issue. I personally prefer my cleats about as far back as possible. If you have a very screwy geometry frame though (like my POS cyclocross bike) then you open yourself up to toe overlap
Great question! I’m 6 foot 7 and bought my first racing bike in December. Finding the right one took a lot of shopping. Hopefully my mistakes can cut your time and expense down.
As previously suggested it would be ideal to get a bike fit first. If I were to do it again I would find a bike fitter who did not sell bikes. (When I went to bike shops they often seemed to try to get the oversized bike that they could not sell to fit me.) If you can establish a good relationship you may be able to get a more specific bike fit once you purchase the bike. Every brand of bike will fit a little differently.
Figure out how much he wants to pay then realize the bike that he wants will cost more. It will probably have to be modified and that will cost even more. Be prepared to pay for quality.
Buying a bike can be like buying a used car. Be prepared to deal-shop the internet, price match, and be willing to walk away. I also spent a lot of time at races asking every tall person questions about their bikes. After a while some themes will emerge.
If possible buy from a local bike shop. Bike shops tend to have better deals than Tri shops.Getting local service, upgrades, and repair will save money, time and will lesson the learning curve. It’s also nice to keep your own community going.
One last tip would be to join some local clubs. Most bike shops will offer some kind of discount to at least one of the local clubs. Members of your local community will also tell you who to shop with and who to avoid.
Check out what Bill Walton used to ride. He was a avid bike rider back in the day.
Answering your actual questions and not the ones I wanted to answer.
The Cannondale 10, 105 is a great bike for tall guys. I’m 6 foot 7 and I and most the tall guys I know who ride own one of these.
Make sure the bike fits the buyer and not just the pockets of the seller.
I have been told that with the bigger bikes a lack of stiffness can become a problem. Other than that, at 6 foot 7 getting aero does not seem possible…I’m learning to dislike the little guys who draft behind me.
I’m still new to this and I live in SoCal so I have no idea about trainers.
I’m 6’6" - 6’7" with a 48 shoe. I ride a P2C. No issues with trainers, including Computrainer.
I am 6’10" and have researched all the different bike brands and models to death looking for one that fits.
Bottom line is nobody knows and can give you a straight up answer.
Go get a guru (or other) fit, and find out what measurement are ideal for you and take it from there.
Check out what Bill Walton used to ride. He was a avid bike rider back in the day.
Bill Walton rode a frame made by Bill Holland of Holland Cycles http://www.hollandcycles.com/
I’m 6’ 4" tall, all arms and legs, and Bill made a road frame for me a number of years ago. Me measured me and designed the frame based on the type of riding I was doing. Something to look for in a frame that size is flex in the rear triangle. He beefed it up to reduce the flex.
FYI I ride a 61 cm Cervelo P2C for triathlons. You’ll be surprised at how much seat mast comes in those.
Good Luck
-- Scott
CycleOps GrassRoots Athlete
Just another data point. I’m 6’5" and ride a size 58. It really all depends on body proportions and riding style.
If you follow pro cycling at all, you’ll see guys like Johan van Summeren (6’6"? Roubaix winner) riding a 58 with long stem, too.
6’6" and 61 cm P2 fits like a glove. Now if I could only get some bib shorts and a winter jacket to fit the same way.
I agree with the poster who mentioned Zinn. I have a 6’5" cousin on a Spectrum and a 6’11" cousin who had a Sacks back in the day of skinny tubes.
Those guys are riding with an unbelievable saddle to bar drop though with a short headtube
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I ride a size 61 Felt F5 and love it!
6’8" Tall
310 lbs
Size 50 bike shoe
I use a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine to train on with no problems.
Hope this helps.
-Matt