First Road Bike - 6'6" tall male

[scuttydug]

Hi all,

I completed my first triathlon at the weekend and now have the bug!

Looking to get my own road bike budget less than £1k. The difficulty is that i'm 6'6 so will need it fitted.

Bikes under consideration (based on very limited knowledge and many opinions!)

- Giant Defy 1 (2015) - £719
- Cannondale CAAD 8 105 (2015) - £849
- Scott Speedster 30 (2016) - £849
- Trek Domane 2.0 (2016) £900
- Tred Domane 2.3 (2016) £1000

I've been fitted for the Scott but the shop doesn't stock any of the other brands, although I was really impressed so it will take something serious to make me think otherwise.

In terms of usage it's going to be for short 20km or 40km tri-rides looking to get from A to B as fast as possible!!

 

[vickster]

The Scott based on what you have said

 

[biggs682]

@scuttydug save yourself some money and buy this Ridley Crossbow Road / Cyclocross Bike Large Sized

 

[ColinJ]

@scuttydug save yourself some money and buy this Ridley Crossbow Road / Cyclocross Bike Large Sized

That top tube sounds very short for someone that tall! I ride bikes with 58 cm top tubes (with 11 cm stems) and I am 5 inches shorter, at 6' 1". In fact, I have also ridden 60 cm bikes (with 9 cm stems).

 

[biggs682]

That top tube sounds very short for someone that tall! I ride bikes with 58 cm top tubes (with 11 cm stems) and I am 5 inches shorter, at 6' 1". In fact, I have also ridden 60 cm bikes (with 9 cm stems).

it is a very compact frame but i just dont have enough gooly clearance

 

[Drago]

Word is you have tiny goolies Biggsy so I can't see why its a problem

 

[TheJDog]

Why would your height make it more important that you get it fitted?

I'm 6 4 and I have a 61cm CAAD8, which fits me fine, and would probably fit someone taller, but I think they also do a 63.

Canyon do their aluminium Roadlites in larger sizes, too. They are good bikes, and good value. I've just checked on their site, and the Roadlite now appears to be called the Endurace AL. Ultegra, Aksiums, < 8kg, all for just over £1k.

 

[vickster]

Canyon also have some of their supersized bikes in their clearance, Rose may do likewise

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/factory-outlet/#category=road-bikes

 

[MattDB]

I'm 6'6'' and have a felt 95 - 61cm seems big enough.

 

[Milkfloat]

I am 6'4" with a Large Giant Defy and an XL Canyon Endurace on order. The Defy is also available in XL and the Canyon in XXL and XXXL. Plenty of bike around for taller people often at a great price, but not so many in your LBS.

 

[MichaelW2]

Why would your height make it more important that you get it fitted?

Any rider within normal height can pick a factory bike that fits most riders of that height. Obviously, a small percentage will have odd body proportions, but most people are about average.
For very tall riders, beyond the normal range, manufacturers simply don't make bikes to fit. Components such as cranks, bars, are not available in correct sizes. You have to bodge the fit. Very tall or very short riders cannot rely on manufacturers to produce a bike to fit them, hence fitting becomes more critical.

 

[bornagainst]

I'm 6' 5 and a bit in shoes.

Cube do a 'small' 64cm frame for some of their bikes. I had a Peloton from a couple of years ago - great fit. Seat post was close to maximum if I remember right though.
I also have a 61cm Sensa that is spot on for me too - with seat post to spare.

 

[martint235]

I'm 6'6. Both my bikes are 58cm Planet X bikes (Kaffenback 2 and Ti Sportive). I've never needed to be fitted for a bike, just extend the seatpost to the min insertion line, stick 175 cranks and 130mm stem on there and you're good to go.

I've got a 38" inside leg btw.

 

[MichaelW2]

I'm 6'6. stick 175 cranks and 130mm stem on there and you're good to go.
I've got a 38" inside leg btw.

You are probably twiddling your pedals round using very little of your available range of leg motion, like an average sized guy on child's 140mm cranks.

 

[martint235]

You are probably twiddling your pedals round using very little of your available range of leg motion, like an average sized guy on child's 140mm cranks.

They seem to work ok plus it's not that easy to get 105 stuff any longer than 175 or at least 175 is commonly available.