Road Bikes for Tall Riders

Height and inseam aren't really enough to go on to determine exactly what size frame size you need. But I've had the same problem as you. I'm 6'5" (6'4 1/2" to be exact) with a 36" "trouser" inseam and a 38.25" "cycling" inseam (floor to pubic bone).

I've gone through a few different road bikes, all of which were a bit too small for me (most recently a 62cm Bridgestone RB2 followed by a 62cm Trek 2300). I'd suggest you check-out Cannondale. Their 63cm road frame is considerably larger than other manufacturers largest frames (they measure around 66cm center of BB to top of seat tube) and have a longer head tube. I now have a 63cm Cannondale CAAD5 and it fits me better than any other road bike that I've owned. Good luck!

though neither their website nor catalog list it, Cannondale occasionally does a production run of their caad5 frame in a 66cm size. any cannondale dealer should be able to get the details - i had a LBS order one for me late last year, and am loving it.

(you can't be in a hurry though. the 4 - 6 weeks turned into about 3 months before it showed up).

I'm 6'3" and had a Fuji 64CM frame that had plenty of top tube and several more inches of seat post to raise. It was almost too big for me (i.e. tea baggin'😉. Fuji was the only maker I've found with a 64cm frame. I just traded for a Jamis 62cm. Its a bit smaller in the top tube, but it fits fine with the right stem. Lemonds are known for a longer top tube as well. If you think your are "circus freak big", try Zinn,

Also the new Ultegra 10 shifters seem to require a bit more reach. So that may help you.

My husband is thinking about getting a road bike and he is 6'8 with a 36 inch pants inseam. The guy at the LBS mentioned a possible Cannondale frame.

If all else fails, go custom, they don't necessarily cost more than off-the-peg bikes from the big brands. US$1100-$1500 should be able to get you a custom set even with carbon forks thrown in.

Luke2001 said:

I'm 6'5" and have a 'trouser' inseem of 35". Can anyone offer any advice on road bike frame size / geometry ?

HI, I'm only 6'2", but all of my height is ini my legs and I have long arms. I straddled a 25" Trek 7300 and I figure that I had about 1" "teabag clearance":eek: .

Is this adequate?

Awkwardly, the salesman was a chick🙄 , so I didn't ask about that aspect of it, but she said that the 25" would suit me better than the 22.5" as long as I could reach the ground with my tiptoes at a stoplight, the bike is not too big. Is she right? Thanks!🙂

Shane422 said:

I'm 6'3" and had a Fuji 64CM frame that had plenty of top tube and several more inches of seat post to raise. It was almost too big for me (i.e. tea baggin'😉. Fuji was the only maker I've found with a 64cm frame. I just traded for a Jamis 62cm. Its a bit smaller in the top tube, but it fits fine with the right stem. Lemonds are known for a longer top tube as well. If you think your are "circus freak big", try Zinn,

Also the new Ultegra 10 shifters seem to require a bit more reach. So that may help you.

Wouild the reasonably priced Lemond Nevada City have the long top tube ?😕

The other day I sent a 6'5" friend to my LBS (in Maylands) to try on a 62cm Felt SR 101 (SR 71-91 in the USA). It was TOO BIG!!!! :o

Vega...you want to be able to stand flat footed in your cycling shoes at a stop light and not have any hard body parts hit the top bar...OK for the soft stuff. The new sloped top tube bikes are more forgiving in size...run bigger relative to stand over height to be more comfortable...particularly if you have a shortish inseam relative to overall body height.
And gclark...your 6'5" friend being too small for that 62cm Felt is ridiculous...no matter what his proportions.
George