Hey guys
I’m hunting for a new TT bike for myself, being 6 ft 5. At the moment I’m leaning towards the Bmc tm01 ml, as that’s what Taylor phinney rides as he’s 6 ft 5.5. Can anyone give me some non biased views on getting one speedy bike.
Thanks in advance 
Have you been fit yet? The largest size BMC frame has a stack of 556 mm which may be short for some tall riders. I’m 6’-2" and have a stack requirement of 592 mm so the BMC wouldn’t work, unless there have a new XL size not listed.
If you know your fit dimensions and many frame fit you I’ll leave it to others with their wind tunnel comparisons etc…
Taylor’s choice is dictated by team sponsorship and UCI rules that don’t apply to you, so that may not be the best choice for you.
Probably the L would be a better choice unless you require very low stack.
Anyway, you are tall enough that not all bikes will necessarily fit you well. For TTs specifically, the P5 is a nice choice as low yaw performance is really good, and you don’t need some of the nice features that specialized and trek have that are handy for ironman.
But you will have to get figure out your fit coordinates and see if a P5 can match them.
Old P2 in 61???
Ummm get your stack and reach measured then look at various frame geometry and wind tunnel data. The rest I’d get ventus, tri rig, pro missile bars, etc that are integrated if you’re getting frame without integrated bars aero crank polly zip sub 9 disc I know that tests really well 808 front, flo 90/disc aero test similarly for way less money but weigh a little more so that’s an option too. Probably don’t need a lot of stuff for tt but if using for tri some bikes have good options for gear that are tt legal too like scott plasma 5, trek sc is ok, but I guess uci probably isn’t involved in what you’re doing anyway so maybe felt ia or shiv tri could be an option but those are more geared towards high yaw riding. I’d get tri rig brakes cause they cable really well if your frame doesn’t have them integrated. Really what bike you get depends on your body and needs as an individual
Have you been fit yet? The largest size BMC frame has a stack of 556 mm which may be short for some tall riders. I’m 6’-2" and have a stack requirement of 592 mm so the BMC wouldn’t work, unless there have a new XL size not listed.
If you know your fit dimensions and many frame fit you I’ll leave it to others with their wind tunnel comparisons etc…
at 6’5, wondering how you got to a stack requirement you say you need. The current fitted bike I use has a much lower stack. So I have no idea but
it seems that one has first a requirement of the height from the BB to the seat which is impacted by crank length. Once you have that, it seems
like the larger the stack, the less drop from the seat to the aero bars?
Seems I could do some funny stuff with the bars to deal with reach, but am struggling looking at bike frames that if I get too much of a stack, then I have other issues
with the front end?
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There are some tall guys with lower stack requirements, they typically have longer torsos. Also, how aggressive your fit is can come into play, hip angle etc… But this is why I go to a good fitter, he knows more than I…
When shopping for a bike/frame, if you get stack and reach relatively close, the fitter, or the doityourselfer can dial the rest in.
There are some tall guys with lower stack requirements, they typically have longer torsos. Also, how aggressive your fit is can come into play, hip angle etc… But this is why I go to a good fitter, he knows more than I…
When shopping for a bike/frame, if you get stack and reach relatively close, the fitter, or the doityourselfer can dial the rest in.
Good point. I think I have a longer torsos compared to my legs looking at other tall folks.
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I am biased perhaps because I am taller than you, have asked the same question, and think your question cannot be answered without a lot of details.
I have seen other guys my height on a variety of bikes. None of those bikes fit me. Suggestions to get an XL, XXL, or 61 are a true waste. My perspective is that bike sizes are as variable as the sizing of women’s clothes. Manufactures sizes vary greatly and if you buy a bike simply based upon the size you are told you are likely to buy something that does not fit.
Trying out a bike is probably a no go for you. Very few bike shops will stock many if any bikes that will fit you. Your best bet is to find a fitter attached to a bike shop and get your bike through them.
Get measured and follow the fitters recommendations on what to order. If the bike does not fit and cannot be made to fit you at the store you can walk away and not cheat anyone.
If you buy it somewhere else and the fitter is wrong you are stuck with a bike that doesn’t fit and no one will have any great need to refund your money.
Those are the steps I followed.
My first TT bank should be in America in the next few weeks.
No, I will not tell you what I am getting as it may not fit you.
Getting fitted/measured to buy a bike does not take long. Please get fitted. Asking people on the internet with nothing to lose about how you should spend your money can lead to bad places.
p.s. Matt Reed is also 6 foot 5. I don’t think he is on a BMC. A bike with an integrated cockpit will be harder to modify if it does not fit you. This rules out the P5
There are some tall guys with lower stack requirements, they typically have longer torsos. Also, how aggressive your fit is can come into play, hip angle etc… But this is why I go to a good fitter, he knows more than I…
When shopping for a bike/frame, if you get stack and reach relatively close, the fitter, or the doityourselfer can dial the rest in.
Good point. I think I have a longer torsos compared to my legs looking at other tall folks.
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Yet you mess with those crank length all the time - I recall you had those 200mm cranks on there at one point?
OP: I am 6’8", and ride a classic P3 in 61cm… I am pretty flexible, so I ride with about an 8" drop. Long legs, but not disproportionate, so I use 180mm cranks…
There are some tall guys with lower stack requirements, they typically have longer torsos. Also, how aggressive your fit is can come into play, hip angle etc… But this is why I go to a good fitter, he knows more than I…
When shopping for a bike/frame, if you get stack and reach relatively close, the fitter, or the doityourselfer can dial the rest in.
Good point. I think I have a longer torsos compared to my legs looking at other tall folks.
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Yet you mess with those crank length all the time - I recall you had those 200mm cranks on there at one point?
OP: I am 6’8", and ride a classic P3 in 61cm… I am pretty flexible, so I ride with about an 8" drop. Long legs, but not disproportionate, so I use 180mm cranks…
I rode 200mm cranks for like 10 years. And nope, I do not mess with crank length at all. I just went back to 175’s this season to make Frank Day happy and it seemed to help my running off the bike.
I did lose some riding hills though.
I am on a 59 now, and might try a 58.
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Yep, am having trouble finding bikes to try. I might try to jump on a few at a race Sat.
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Go get a fitting from a reputable fitter, decide what bikes work best for you, in your price range… THEN get the one that makes you lust the most and makes you want to ride it the most, and that is your best bike. Have fun!