6ft 4" and no bikes are big enough for me!?

Question

I cycle as my main form of transport, and want to be able to get around as quickly as possible. However, even the largest of the standard UK bike sizes isn't large enough to take the best advantage of my size. Nor do even the highest gears allow me to use the most efficient power from my legs at high speeds. Where would be the best place to get a bike with appropriate gears and frame size?

Answer 1

Well you could buy a car as main form of transport before getting killed by motorists. You have been warned!

As you can tell l hate cyclists!!!!

Edit: at this time, only 8 haters. very dissapointed, thought it would be more.

Death to cyclists who ride on roads!

Answer 2

I assume you haven't walked into a bike shop provided your comments. 6-4 isn't that tall to fit a standard made frame. Also, your comment about gears is puzzling. Since you didn't mention what type of bike you ride or want again, I must assume. A standard road bike comes with gearing higher than you can use. So you may be talking about a MTB or hybrid that may have lower gearing. This can all be changed on most any bike to fit your needs.

Short answer: A bike shop is your solution.

EDIT: >90% of bikes are bought outside a bike shop. We can't read your mind. I owned and ran a bike shop and I fit bigger guys than you all the time. Like one guy wrote - you want a road bike to fit like a hybrid. It won't happen - sorry.

Answer 3

What sort of bike are you looking for?  I would have thought a 60cm road bike would be ok for your height.  You can always fit a longer stem and seat post.  Failing that a custom frame from someone like Mercian bikes would ensure a perfect fit.

As for the gears a 55 front to 11 rear is easily available, is that still too low for you?

EDIT - Dawes do a range of sizes, some 58cm and some 60cm.  Look on the down tube and it should say what size it is, or it may say s, m, l etc.  Can't see any details of gearing on the Dawes web site so you would need to count the teeth on the biggest front ring and smallest rear ring.  If you can post these and the exact model it would be easier to judge if the bike is too small.

You might get bigger frames in Holland, I don't know, but remember there are not many hill there so you will not get many gears on the bike!

EDIT 2 - OK, things are a bit clearer.  

Looking at the Dawes site the biggest Kalahari frame is 22" (less than 56cm) which probably is too small for you, though it is difficult to tell because of the geometry.  The sloping top tube will mean that you do have to have the seat post out a long way.  As has been mentioned you probably want a true 60cm frame.  

The gearing is also very low.  I've just found some info saying it is a 48 front ring.  48/14 is a top ratio of 3.4:1, a fast road bike would be maybe 4.5 - 5:1 (I have a 53/11, 4.8:1 combination).  I notice it only comes with one crank length too, 170mm, which will be way too short for you.  You would need probably 175mm cranks for your leg length.

I don't share the belief in the mystical qualities of local bike shops that some here may have.  Some are very good but some, believe it or not, are in the business of selling as many bikes as they can!  

I don't know if you have the option of getting a different bike but there are more suitable bikes out there, even in the Dawes range.  If you are looking for a fast but comfortable commuting bike you could do a lot worse than the Dawes Galaxy.

Answer 4

Come on, 6' 4" isn't that big.

I'm 6' 2" and ride a 58 cm roadbike ... and 60 cm are readily available (and 62+ cm in some brands/models). My stepson is 6' 8" and even he didn't have much trouble finding a bike to fit. I met a former NBA pro basketballer who was over 6' 9" and he had a custom made road bike ... so if necessary (and at 6' 4" I doubt it (but maybe you have a weird leg/torso length ratio ??) you can get a bike frame made for you.

As to gearing ... you must be some type of superman if gears are too low for you. Again, I doubt it (I suspect you don't ride with an appropriate cadence).

I suggest you try a good bike shop ... I'm sure they can fit you out appropriately.

Answer 5

At your height, you need a 62cm or larger frame.  My youngest daughter's boyfriend is 6' 6" and he was able to get an aggressive (aero) fit on a 62 he bought online.  You probably want a more upright position, which means you should look for a 64.

Mountain bikes and "compact geometry" road bikes use a S, M, L sizing scheme.  You'll need an XL in this scheme.

I've posted some sizing links below that I hope will help you.

As for where to buy, I'm a big fan of low-priced online sellers, but you sound like a beginner who could probably benefit from the advice and attention that comes with a higher price from your local bicycle retailer.  The links below include two online sellers, one at the top of the price range, and the other at the bottom.  Both are excellent sources.

Gearing -- well that's another question altogether.  Standard road gearing works for 99% of bicycle purchasers, and should work for you, at least for now.  Stay away from triples if you want higher gears.

Good luck, and keep riding.

Answer 6

Where do we think you got your current bike? You smarty pants comment is uncalled for.

Most bikes are NOT bought in a shop but on-line or at other retail outlets. 6-4 ain't a problem. I'm 6-5 I went to a GOOD bike shop. I bought a 62cm framed road bike that fits great. You haven't a clue what your talking about yet are critical of us that do know. The only think I think your problem is this: You want a HUGE bike that would allow you to sit up like a hybrid but you want a road bike style. Buy a hybrid with raised handle bars. There are plenty of road bikes that fit you - but that isn't what you want.

Answer 7

some manufacturers go all the way up to a 65cm frame.  at 6'4" you have a wide choice.  i am 6'2" and ride like a 60cm bike, but i have ridden as small as a 57cm.  you should easily be able to find a 62-63cm that would fit fine.