A sizing question! If a bloke is 6’4″ with very long legs and very long arms and is looking for a steel hardtail, what size frame would he need?

Any recommendations? Would probably be looking second-hand, possibly Inbred, Rock Lobster etc and disc brakes would be essential. Not a heavyweight provided he doesn’t build up any more muscle!!

Thank you so much!

What, as apposed to about your height with rather long arms!!

😀

A 22″ 29er 🙂

That’s enough from you Mr Poddy 🙄 It’s for my son, he’s scarey!

geoff – a 29er would make sense but not just yet. But would a 22″ be like riding a gate?

Im 6’4″

Previously rode a 20″ Inbred – was pretty good fit but still difficult on climbs being back over the rear wheel that far.

Moved to 21″ Scandal 29er – massive change Really liked sitting in the bike rather than on top of it.

Now ride a 19.5″ On-One Ti29er – went for the smaller size at BRant’s recommendation. He’s not wrong. Needs a touch of setback on the post, but extra standover is useful.

Definately consider 29er for anyone over 6′ and at 6’4″ it should be more than a consideration unless he really abuses kit, but I dont really agree that 29er stuff is sufficiently less robust than 26″ stuff to be of concern.

a 19 P7 with a thomson layback and a +50mm stem would be a blast, any bigger could be a bit of a gate imho

a 22” would be fine
he sounds same height n stuff as me.

and

i have a 21” and a 22” for sale 😀

Probably a 20″ Inbred. It will depend on the geometry, if the seat angle is slack you can get away with a smaller frame. I’m 6’2″, my 456 is an 18″ with a 60mm stem.

But would a 22″ be like riding a gate?

I guess its all relative and depends on how he is going to want to feel on the bike. Of course usual rules apply and he should, if possible – and yes I know that is sometimes easier said than done, sit on a couple.

IIRC Ton of these parts was selling a spesh rock hopper and/or kona hoss that may be suitable size wise.
HTH
Geoff

/edit/ doh – just saw Ton’s post!

Stoner – he hasn’t ridden for a good few years and suspect that a 29er wouldn’t be right to start with. Don’t wish to be personal but are your legs very long? Feel free to e-mail if you prefer, or not answer at all 😯

Alex – what’s the sizing like with Orange, I know you’re a big fan of them!

You have just described my build there, monkey arms and legs long enough that i stuggle to find jeans that fit.

I ride a 21″ Orange P7 and have always ridden 20 or 21 inch frames in the past, most of them with a far bit of seatpost showing. I guess you could describe them as slightly gate like but they all looked ok when you’re riding them and most importantly they fit. When you have legs and arms as long and I (and your son) have then a big frame will always fit better even if it doesn’t look great (not something i’ve ever concidered or thought about). If/when i buy my next bike i will seriously concider a 29er though, they look a very good option for a “larger gent”!

I am saying this based on the assumption you are asking about a bike to ride up and down hills, as my jump bike is a 15″ frame.

Edit, just seen the post above, i tried a 19″ P7 and it looked like i was riding a BMX, way to small, if he is as long limbed as me a 21″ will be a much better bet.

I’m 6’4″

a 20″ 456 fitted me great, as does an 18″ Scandal,

Usually just buy whatever is the biggest size

Know someone selling (or he was selling it, I’ll ask if he still has it) a 20.5″ Genesis Altitude 853 frame, the same as the one I was riding yesterday (only 2 sizes bigger). He’s 6ft 3 and long limbed, says it fits him perfectly.

Whatever he gets I’d suggest it’s going to need to be at least a 20″ frame, considering I’m only 5ft 11 and can ride most 19″ frames happily.

Usually just buy whatever is the biggest size

That is exactly my default approach, it is certainly the first size a try.

well I’m of the belief that its better to have a slightly smaller frame with layback (although I also subscribe to long travel forks and short stems), The 19 orange would probably be spot on for a 6 footer without the layback, stick the layback on and it would suit someone slightly taller who was after something “chuckable”, best option is for him to throw his leg over one and see how it feels.

I ride a 21″ Rock Lobster 853. I’m 6’4″ and have a 36″ inseam

It looks like a gate, but it certainly doesn’t ride like one. (Probably due to the shorter top tube). I reckon it’s a lot more chuckable than the 19″ Trek I was riding before.

Don’t wish to be personal but are your legs very long?

Want to pop round with your tape measure? You do know how to measure inside leg dont you? 🙂

back on the subject, ahem, I think my legs are about 36″ inside so not huge. Im pretty long in the back hence the cockpit issues of wanting a short stem (say 80 or 90mm) but then ending up with my arse over the boot. 29er gives me a bit more wheelbase to fit inside whilst keeping a 90mm stem.

20″ inbred or 456 will suit him fine. Lots of options for 25mm layback/setback and 80-110mm stem.

Re the debate about best P7 sizing: I’m 6′ 2″/34″ leg with an EA70 layback and (unfashionable long) 100mm stem. Suits me to a t. Reckon at 6′ 4″ it would be too cramped. With a 50-60mm stem – no chance.

Thank you all for your replies. Lots to think about that’s for sure. I think it will have to be second-hand so shall check out some geometry. Feel that he would be better on a slightly smaller frame, an Inbred with the long top tube could be ideal and pretty bomb-proof.

ton – could you send me details please? E-mail in profile. Thanks.

Mark – could you ask your mate please? Feel free to pass on my e-mail. Thanks.

Oggles – yes, the Lobster does have a short top tube and I was very happy with mine.

I’m 6’3″ tall with a 35″ inside leg. I ride a 21″ frame (approx as its actually a custom Setavento). I agree with your comments Lunge- It may look a gate when I’m off it, but all my mates have commented that it looks “right” when I’m riding it. It fits really well and that’s what matters most.

C-G; let me know if your lad wants to try a 20″ Inbred, local to you.

C-G. I’m 6’5″ with a 34″ inside leg and ride a rockhopper 21″ and a Blur LT XL (about 21″) and where as things like standover height etc are important i would say that you also need to keep in mind the top tube length as the rockhopper seems a little long and the Blur a bit cramped when running both with an 80mm stem (i know they are both built for different types of riding). I know you can get a longer stem length but you know what the effect of riding a bike with too long a stem will be. I have also sat on a 19″ Soul and found that to be a bit like sitting on one of those clown bikes !

Also when buying a larger frame make sure, if you are going for longer travel forks, that you get ones that he can wind down from 130/140 to 100 for the climbs as it helps to stop the front wheel poping up all the time.

If your looking 2nd hand i would go and sit on a few new ones in local shops to find which one feels most comfortable and then take the brochure home with you and when a 2nd hand one comes up get it or if its a different make/model have a look at the geometry to see how close it is to what he sat on in the shop.

Oh and finally if your in the Southcoast area (i live in Worthing) he’s more than welcome to have a quick spin on my two to see how they feel 8)

Get him a 20 or 21″ frame – 22″ if you can find a decent one. Anyone who suggests a smaller frame with a layback is obviously talking about a bike that is too small for them – utterly stupid to get laybacks in this day and age. There are enough different geometry frames out there to get one to fit rather than making the wrong one fit by using a bendy seatpost.
He will be better off with a 29er and has nothing to do with cycling experience or recent riding or ability. It is just going to give him a more in proportion bike for his size. I have both and the 29er is the way forward – more reason every year they improve them.

Can’t see your email addy in your profile C_G, so I’m posting on here.

I’m 6’4″ with a 35″ inside leg. I have several bikes, a Heckler, a on-onme 29er, and a 1997 Litespeed. They’re all XL, 20″+, but the geometries of all of them is different, my position on all of them is very different, and (in the case of the litespeed in particular) has changed as my riding has progressed.

I’d go for a 26″ bike for more rocky, technical riding (not that I’m any good at it), and a 29er for longer distance “epic” old school XC.
Personally, I’d make sure that the TT is 24″ plus – this way he can run a short stem if he wants to without feeling too cramped.

My main feeling though is that he’s going to probably ride it for a while and then tweak it anyhow based on his preferences and the stuff he’s riding, so as long as the frame is a reasonable size he can fiddle with position, stem etc later on.

I think you’re looking at 20 or 21″ frames, personally (I’ve avoided Giant, GT and Trek 22″ frames in the past as they seemed much too big); the main thing for me is length!

Im 6’4″ and 34″ inside leg and run a 20″ inbred with 100mm stem and find it fine, thinking about swapping to an 80MM stem to make it a little more chuckable.Forks with a lockout for climbing is a definate though as it feels like you’re on a camel otherwise

Its pleasing to see so many tall riders on here.I’m 6’4″ with inside leg of 36″.
I previously rode a large framed hardtail,22″ but I am now riding a 19″ Specialised, I’ve had to fit alonger seat post 410mm which for climbing is extended up to its limit , dropped depending on the descent.
I prefer the standover/clearence of the smaller frame but the cockpit when climbing does seem cramped, running a “standard” bar stem on the bike.
The problem is when looking to change the bike for second hand item is that there doesn’t seem to be that many large 20″+ frames out there!

Thanks again. Reckon I need to measure his inside leg length first cos his body is a bit shorter than average.

Have to disagree about layback seatposts though! Have one on my 14″ Inbred, also on the Juliana. I have a very short body but very long arms and legs. We’re all different!!

Out of interest, what amount of travel do you guys run? Anyone use adjustable, ie Revs? Observations welcome.

Thanks too for offers of trying out. A tour of bike shops is certainly on the agenda (note to self: leave credit card at home).

My e-mail address seemed to have disappeared but it’s back now.

And I really should apologise for title of thread, definitely gives the wrong impression 😳

got a 20″ airborne titanium frame for sale for £250, well used and doesn’t look shiny and new at all, but rides really well, jsut too big for me, I’m 5’11”. The ride of a Ti is even better than steel in MHO.

Adjustable is handy, but not vital IMO, unless you’re running 6″ forks, which throw the front end out on climbs.

I’ve got adjustable Pikes on my Heckler, 90ish mm forks on the Litespeed and rigid on everything else, for what it’s worth 🙂 Fork choice is way secondary to a well fitting frame if you ask me!

Yep running 08 revs on the Blur. They are the air u-turn poplock things as i lock them out for climbs and if it looks steep then i also wind them down to stop the front wheel popping as at 6’5″ you do tend to sit over the back wheel abit more than someone a bit shorter would.

At his height i wouldn’t get a layback post either as this will put him even further over the back wheel, although he would be able to manual at the drop of a hat 😉 . He’s going to need quite a long seat post as it is.

I have a 26″ full Suss bike and rigid 29er, you don’t feel like your’re riding a bike with big wheels, it just feels like a bike!

Don’t rule them out thinking they are different! 🙂

I have very long arms.

(Looks up in wonderment, at all the lanky people)

29ers; like mountain bikes, but for long people. [cough]Hybrids[/cough]

I thought the standard. for those long of body and limb, was a 14″ inbred, with a 4ft seatpost?

No, I have nothing useful to add. Sorry.

I’ll go away now…

Rudeboy – can you please post up a picture to show us exactly what you mean 😉 😆

Don’t bother RudeBoy – almost every other bike pic ever posted on here fits that image.

CRC are selling ’05 Handjobs in 21″ for £200. Nearly went for one myself but picked ud a new trance nice and cheap.

I also really like the look of the Kinesis Maxlight xc>120. 54cm/21.5″ could be ideal for your lad as it has a relatively short TT (24″/60cm). Really nice looking too, especially in blue.

I’ve put a Wanted ad in the Classifieds but thought I may as well post up here. Looking for an Inbred/456, Rock Lobster, PA, Orange P7, forks wanted also.

Cheers.

hi there , am 6’3" and ride a on-one 29er size 21" frame .it is bang on for anyone 6’4" . if your concerned about using a 29er give us a shout and try it, i don’t think you’ll regret it. i am based south of birmingham.

when your over 6′ and you’ve ridden a 29er a 26′ wheel mtb just doesn’t feel right – honest bodgitandscarpper(at)googlemail(dot)com

If it helps, Im 6’4" and have long arms and legs (i have to get the extra long shirts in M&S and everything!) and have previously had a 20" Inbred which was really great to ride with a 130mm Marzocchie AM, but i now have a 20" Surley Instigator which i absolutely love! It’s a little more heavy duty (but so am i!)but as a do anything bike with a 60mm stem and 130mm fork it really takes some beating. Much nicer than the inbred and prince alberts etc etc