Mountian Bike for the freakishly tall

[ovcatto]

Originally Posted by topher5150

The wife and I are trying to get in shape, and we want to do some biking around town to help. She has a mountian bike with the front and rear suspension, it was something cheap like from Target, or Wal-Mart, any who I want to get something similar with out breaking the bank. The only thing is I'm 6' -4" so it's kind of hard for me to find a bike that I can use comfortably. Is there a brand out there that makes reasonably priced bikes for tall people?

I strongly suggest going to a competent bike shop and have them put you on their sizing apparatus so that they can recommend a proper fitting bike. Sizing for a bike consists of not only frame size, but the size of the cranks, seat post, and handlebar stem. It may cost more doing this way but it is cheaper than riding inefficiently, asking for back pain or worse screwed up knees.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Right, use the LBS for their knowledge and repay them by buying it online
And then people bemoan the fact that the small, local businesses are all closing and all is left is Big Box stores with sketchy service.

+1

Major beef of mine.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Right, use the LBS for their knowledge and repay them by buying it online
And then people bemoan the fact that the small, local businesses are all closing and all is left is Big Box stores with sketchy service.

Not everybody can afford to drop $500 on a bike. It's better to buy a decent used bike from somebody on CL than it is to buy a cheap new bike from Walmart. And it's hard to know exactly what you want in a bike until you've been riding it for a while. Once he knows exactly what he wants and knows that he'll really be using it, then it makes more sense to go buy a good bike new.

[ovcatto]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

It's better to buy a decent used bike from somebody on CL than it is to buy a cheap new bike from Walmart.

That is true but it doesn't much help the op since he still needs guidance on the size and fit of any bike new or used that he needs to buy.

[topher5150]

So I found a nice Cannondale mountain bike st the bike shop, its a 2011 model so im getting a deal on it

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by topher5150

So I found a nice Cannondale mountain bike st the bike shop, its a 2011 model so im getting a deal on it

Cool. Let us know how you like it. I know Cannondale's road bikes are quite good.

[topher5150]

I took it for a test drive and what a difference

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by topher5150

What about a 29er (29" wheel) bike for someone my size?

Wheel size doesn't really have anything to do with it, but stick with a 700cc and you will be fine. What you really need is a proper seat tube length (aka "bike frame size"). The seat tube is the tube that runs the length from where the top tube meets the rear seat stays to the bottom bracket. You want something that is long enough to where you are neither overextending your legs as you peddle or under extending them. At 6'4", you want something around a 63cm. But, it's not that important as you can always adjust the seat tube and neck (which might require purchase of one with a longer or shorter reach) to suit your comfort level.

As for shocks...they are total cheese and not necessary for street riding. Actually, they might be more of an annoyance than comfort. But that depends on you. And cheap shocks break real easy. Road bikes are designed to flex as it is. Adding shocks to that feels awkward.

Just go down to your LBS and take as many bikes out for a test ride as you feel necessary. Brand, style, and price do not matter as much as comfort does.

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Is saving money worth the possibility of injuring yourself or a sore back, sore knees, sore neck, sore shoulders, sore hands, sore arms just to mention some of the things that happen from a poorly fitted bike? And a clunky bike or poorly fitted bike will diminish your desire to bike.

I have been riding bikes for as long as I can remember....I'm in my 30s...as well as most of my friends. Soreness can come from in ill-fitting bike....but generally when that fit is at an extreme end. Soreness comes from not stretching, improper riding, over-exertution, general lack of fitness, poor diet, etc. But most people get sore their first few times riding a bike.

Originally Posted by Mr5150

My LBS (local bike shop)won't work on Wal-Mart/Target bikes. The reason being liability.

Uh, I know many people who work at bike shops and I have never heard of anyone not fixing/working on a "Walmart" bike. Bikes are not like cars, parts are interchangeable and when you go to a bike shop for new brakes, for example, a particular brake style will come in many different sizes as to fit many different bikes. Some brakes are only designed for a specific frame/wheel combo, but the majority of brakes come in many sizes. So, they will fit what you want to your bike.

Most people who work in bike shops love biking. They are what can be described as bike-o's, bike enthusiasts, etc. (they are generally not people who "just need a job"). I have never heard of anyone refusing to service a bike and most would be stoked "for the challenge".

My guess is who ever told you this was essentially saying. "Go back to the suburbs", as bike-o's can tend to be snobs, too.

[1208]

I'm 6'4 and I can ride pretty much any regular sized bike, just raise the seat and the handlebars. also, when did 6'4 become freakishly tall?

[scorpio516]

Originally Posted by topher5150

So I found a nice Cannondale mountain bike st the bike shop, its a 2011 model so im getting a deal on it

That was going to be my suggestion - NOS bikes. I know my LBS sell out of last year models by xmas though - the new ones come out usually around October, so they sell the last year models at pretty good discounts.

But if you were actually frekishly tall - not just taller than average - Leonard Zinn makes very nice, very big bikes. They are quite expensive, nothing under $2000, but they are custom, and can be very big.