mountain bikes for tall persons?

[slug420]

I havent owned or ridden a bike in many many years but have recently thought about picking one up and starting to do some riding.....the issue as I see it is that I am quite large - probably about 6'6

What size bike do I need to be looking for? I cant imagine I will have any problems with the crotch clearance test for size but its more the knee clearance with the handlebar and leg still being fully bent mid-pedal that I am thinking will be problematic. Would I just buy any old bike and jack up the seat and handle bars?

 

[slug420]

<insert image of me on a bmx bike referencing simpsons episode "This was the largest vehicle that I could afford....do you find something humorous about my appearances?">

 

[genericuser]

what's your usual frame size..

 

[SciFiMan]

You'll have to go to a larger selection shop, but you should be able to find something without going to a custom frame. There are also extended length seat posts out there that could help.

 

[genericuser]

he should be alright with a 21' frame. if he needs more ground clearance he could always go with a larger wheel (26' rather than 24')

 

[slug420]

what's your usual frame size..

i dont have a usual as i havent owned a bike in about 10 years

 

[genericuser]

fair enough.. a 21' or 21.5' should be just fine for you.

do you want a hardtail or dual suspension.. what type of riding are you doin?

 

[slug420]

mostly trail riding but obviously no competition hardcore downhill on a regular basis (or ever). I imagine I will take it out for a ride on the sidewalks or whatever near where I live from time to time but mostly want to ride it on the trails I ride ATVs on around here in the woods and up in the woods in maine etc when I go camping.

I suspect that dual suspension is overkill and while it does looks cooler, would be higher maintenance, more expensive and pretty unneccesary but you could probably tell me whether im right or wrong there.

Just poking around on some manufacturer's sites and I see this trek4900 which has an available 24" frame and comes with 26" tires.....course its $620 msrp (damn bikes are expensive)

is there a good place online to look for used bikes? Im sure I will just beat mine up anyway so as long as the frame isnt bent you might as well go used right?

 

[Dimitrios]

Just don't buy from a stuper store (Sports Authority, Target, Joe Bob's Farm and Fleet, etc).

Take your time and select a local bike shop with knowledgeable employees that know how to fit a bike/frame to you properly. It's not just about (though it's part of it) altering the handlebar and seat height. Thinks like crank arm length and the angle of the handlebar neck and degrees of "sweepback" on the handlebars as well have much to do with it. It's the difference between wanting and enjoying your bike ride to buying a bike and then putting it away again for "many many years".

 

[slug420]

heres a winner

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/bik/115894837.html

 

[genericuser]

Just poking around on some manufacturer's sites and I see this trek4900 which has an available 24" frame and comes with 26" tires.....course its $620 msrp (damn bikes are expensive)

that bike will do you just fine.. a solid lightweight front suspension hardtail will do you just fine.. in terms of used bikes, I don't know if I can help you there. but the 4900 would be just perfect for you.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

Great suggestions all around. Don't rule out suspensions. I ride a dual and wouldn't consider going to a full rigid, It's a Trek Y. Would at least go for front suspension. Another biggie is the brakes. Go ahead and spend the extra for disc brakes. Be sure to go mechanical and not hybraulic on them if you plan on doing any major trips or long trail rides. That way you can still make trail fixes without having to lug around a bunch of spare parts. I put over 300 miles on my bike over the last six months in places like Tsali, Pisgah, Tellico, Nantahala, & Slickrock. The only thing I wish I had was disc brakes. I bought my bike about 6 years ago so it doesn't have them but will be upgrading in the spring. I would sell you mine but it is a 17" frame....way tooo small for you. Really take into account what you will be doing with it. And always remember go as light as you can afford. Really suprising how much an extra pound will affect you on a 20 miler and on the big hills. Good luck and have fun.

 

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

i've ridden dual suspension for the last 6 years and i'd never go back to a hardtail. and yes disc brakes for the win. My giant doesnt have discs but i've ridden my uncles cannondale jekyll a few times and i love the disc brakes. BTW, im 6'1 and i have a giant warp with i believe (dont quote me on this i bought the bike in 1999) its a 19 or 20" frame and i have plenty of clearance all around and the bike is extremely comfortable.

 

[kakarot]

I worked in a bike shop for 6 years and the best advice is go to a shop, try some test rides, figure out which brand/sizes you feel comfortable on. As Dimitrios said, there is a lot more to frame size than just clearance over the top tube. The length of the frame from the headtube to the seat tube will make a big difference on how comfortable you feel on the bike. Bike sizes are kind like shoe or clothes sizes too, they vary from brand to brand. I would guess you will most likely be somewhere around a 21" frame. Don't bother with full suspension. You don't sind like you are going to be a hardcore enough rider for it to be worth it. Buy a nice hardtail with front suspension fork. For the money you will get a bike that is lighter and has better components. Once you find what you want, you can look at www.mtbr.com for tons of used bikes.

 

[65racecoupe]

My friend Mikey is a tall bastard as well. I know I couldn't ride his bike, and I am 5'11. (He is 6'6".).

 

[NoRotorNoMotor]

i'm 6'5" and i have a 1982 Schwinn High Sierra and it fits me perfect, but good luck finding one