Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: el on 11 May, 2020, 04:14:19 pm
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All this time in lockdown has got me thinking about a new bike.
The bike would need to be available through the cycle scheme, have disc brakes, most importantly would have to fit.
I am 6 foot 4 - my current frame is only 59cm which means the headtube length is far too short.
I looked at the Kinesis 4 season disc- which even in the largest size only had a headtuble length of 21cm
any suggestions would be welcome!
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I don't *need* a new bike but since fantasy bike buy is always a fun game I've been eyeing up Ribble recently. I like alloy bikes a lot these days so that's what I'm looking at the most.
Either the Ribble endurance AL (disc or non disc) which looks like it is sportyish while also having room for 28s and guards. Made from 6061 with a carbon fork.
Or the CGR (cross gravel road) which is basically the same bike but with wider tyre clearance for "gravel" and a bit more upright for technical terrain. Disc only.
Another fantasy build is a Bowman Weald frameset with 105 + mechanical discs but that's a bit more expensive as it's £800 for the frame alone.
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Cannondale do some of the largest off the peg frames these days....(should you need a really large frame) :thumbsup:
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Condor do large sizes, you can get the Fratello and Acciaio in 61cm and 64cm (probably the other models as well but these were the two I had a look at), they have noteably taller headtubes than many brands so there is usually no need for lots of spacers. I've got a 61cm.
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Get well versed in stack and reach measurements, it's the most useful way to compare frames. The extra height on forks (axle to crown) for greater tyre clearance on many modern disc brake road/gravel/sensible bikes mean slightly shorter head tubes are needed vs older traditional caliper braked road bikes, so focusing on this one measurement will be misleading depending on the bike spec.
I'm another that needs a significant stack height due to having long legs - looking at a new all rounder type bike (vitus/dolan/on one generic carbon) I normally need one or two sizes up from that implied on size guides, depending on geometry. Until I grasped the whole stack/reach concept, I just couldn't work out what would work for me, even with all the measurements from my custom frame to go by!
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
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Here's my 62cm GT Grade, I'm 6'5" and could easily get away with a size smaller!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t_ossHhtGMyYvMBp6lpN_c6vKGyfukNjG_t97Z2XuKLx9IPI8ncfjnKP5P8oAYcUTrP40hzE5c8yE2oS8ATALzlS0j2qwqz7InRZhHHvbfV-b5Uo04Tby-4TNXaGUtU5W2ZRu7GhyDQ=w2400)
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Before making a recommendation for this thread, I checked Kona's website and it seems they have changed the sizes in their range and quietly dropped the largest one :(
I've got two 61cm Konas* which are perfect for me at 6'4" but it seems that the largest they make now is a 58cm. How strange.
*I just went and checked the little stickers to make sure I'm not going mad!
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Condor do large sizes, you can get the Fratello and Acciaio in 61cm and 64cm (probably the other models as well but these were the two I had a look at), they have noteably taller headtubes than many brands so there is usually no need for lots of spacers. I've got a 61cm.
If condor is in reach a big advantage is that you get a free fitting with every frame (once business resumes). Apparently their guy John is very good at it.
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Almost certainly not within Cycle Scheme, but as an example of how some big riders have achieved the right position, is the Colnago Freuler design. Some good images via google, but in summary, the seat tube and head tube extend significantly above the top tube. This keeps a more rigid frame, but with a higher saddle and bare position.
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Thanks everyone for all your suggestions!
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Try Van Nic, have an Aeolus with a custom head tube and an even older Airborne Torch in the same style. Custom build was not that expensive compared to stock frames , was told that by the man who dealt with Arborne and then started Van Nicholas. He said the best builders were put on the custom builds and was faster delivery than stock frames as they done batches of one size. Would have waited a while for the 60cm + frames.