bicycle frame for large tall person

Trey

Trey

$50 Cruiser
I've searched for this, but have found very little.

My Schwinn feels small, I need a bigger bike.
I need a new Gas-Bike anyway... right? :)

I don't want a stretch, and I can't keep waiting for the chance to weld one up, but I need something longer, and stronger.

Seems like time to build myself a better daily rider, frame-up. I've looked into a couple, like the Firmstrong Chief, Worksman Heavy Duty and Felt Glassell. I'm only interested in the frames, but all of these are fine, style wise. I wasn't able to get some specs.

Is there a production frame that you could recommend that will meet these requirements;

-Be comfortable for a 6' rider, without a laid-back post.
-Be able to carry 300lbs (ish).
-Be capable of accepting heavy duty forks.
-Be safe to operate at 40mph (ish/ to know that it is over-built)
-Be wide enough to accept a rear wheel worthy of propelling, and braking, 300lbs to and from 40mph.

I'm sure I forgot some other stuff, but this builds' gonna take a while, so it'll come up. Budget is an issue, but I do want a lot, so it's going to cost...

I thank you in advance for your experiences and opinions.

Trey
 
I'm a six footer, too. I know just what it's like; the typical 26 inch bike is a bit too small. I can make it work with long or lay-back seatposts. But I crave a bike that's just a bit bigger.

I've considered a 29'er. But I worry that the wheels might not be up to the task. You might consider getting one and then re-lacing the wheels with, say, 11 gauge spokes.
 
6'3" @ 280# (and probably pushing just over 300# with my backpack). Rode a cheapo Genesis TwoNine for about 2.5-years and it held up OK. The hardware on it was crap, but the frame kept me off the ground until the down-post snapped near the engine-mount (still kept going...didn't fold on me!). Blue's right about the spokes; you'll go through about 3 a month. I actually got into a routine where I'd wait until 5 spokes blew out before I'd replace 'em. Turns out the cheapo spokes were the problem, and all the replacements have held...no spoke problems in quite a while. I also make sure to replace the rear-hub with a high-quality one. The box-store bikes' hubs are garbage, and will eventually pit-out or collapse. The axles also have a tendency to snap early. In fact, if your budget allows it's a good idea to replace the spokes and hub in one go. I still use 12-gauge as the 11-gauge are more expensive and less readily available.

So, I'm just after replacing my ol' 29er with a new cousin-bike: the Genesis GS29, was about $150 @ Walmart. VERY similar to the old TwoNine, but less expensive. The most important differences:

V-brake replaces disc-brake in front. Much fatter down-post (2.5"-dia...you'll need a mounting-kit). 40-spokes instead of 36-spokes (means you can only use 6-bolts in the rag-joint as opposed to 9).

I had to do a bit of frame-spreading too: the seat-stay and chain-stay; they needed expansion of about 10mm and 8mm respectively toaccomodate the drive-chain and "tensioner" (I used an old scissor-jack and a rubber-hammer). With a 44T sprocket, this frame REQUIRES the tensioner to circumnavigate the chain-stay!

The only hardware I upgraded on this build was the axle; this because the stock axle was bent, and looked like a piece of snit. It's a good idea to rebuild much of the hardware on these box-store bikes anyway as they're usually slapped together sloppily. It's SUPER important to make sure the axle/hub assembly is properly adjusted and tightened. Out of the box, the cones on this bike weren't properly spaced, and the wheel had freedom to wobble slightly...this equals self-destruction. Not sure how well the spokes will fare either, especially since the rag-joint has 1/3 less fasteners now.

In any case, new and higher-quality hubs will increase efficiency and top-speed.

And on the topic of "speed": what the heck's wrong with you?!? 40MPH is a REALLY bad idea on a bicycle, ESPECIALLY for guys in our weight-class. If you can actually get up to that speed with a 66cc 2-stroke: more power to ya. (Actually, LESS power to ya; you'll live longer.)
 
As a matter of fact, I've got to agree with kioshk on the matter of speed. 40 mph is asking for trouble.

Myself, I just putt-putt along. I average 12 mph on the road.

It doesn't sound like much. But you can eat up the miles just fine. And I figure that at a speed like that I stand a good chance of landing on my feet if there's any trouble. Even if I don't land on my feet, and actually hit the road instead, I figure I've got a good chance of avoiding serious injury.
 
I have a roadie frame in my collection that's waaaay too tall for me and I think it would be waaaay too tall for a lot of guys too. Most probably just fine for somebody who is 6ft 6" or more tall who can step over garden gates with ease. I haven't a clue why I kept it, but if anybody ever needs a tall frame boy do I ever have a great deal for them :D

40mph on a bicycle? I think that's a bit silly myself. Different if you're skinny and light and riding a track bike at a velodrome, but on the open road no way.
 
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Ok. Thanks for the help!

I intend to build one that could do 40mph or so, in order to be well overbuilt.
On my best day if safe, and I knew it was capable of doing it, I might shortly hit 30mph. I ride kit bikes at about 10-15mph, but would like a safe, consistent 25mph.
I'm not a speed demon, but Montana is a wide place, and I could use to stretch it out once in a while.
I will use a powerful 4-stroke, and capable drive/ braking equipment.

Impossible on a production frame?

I can't afford to build this: http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=58100
 
"I'm not a speed demon, but Montana is a wide place, and I could use to stretch it out once in a while." --Trey

Well.......you've got a point there. One that might be easy for those of us in the more urban parts of the world to forget.
 
Yeah Dave it does, thanks for that.




I'm still looking for some guidance on production frames if anyone can help.
 
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a 22'' comfort bike or extended frame cruiser like micargi rover or a 29er is what you want. I like the rover 7 speed myself its a good bike but it actually comes in 2 different frames. one the cranks are under the seat tube and the newer one has the cranks slightly forward in front of the seat tube. the new style one is a nice ride I like it a lot. but, if all you want is a frame check on ebay for a deal on a used one.
 
Heya Trey,

I just bought a Firmstrong Chief to put a 4-stroke on. If you want specific measurements be glad to help you out, just let me know what you need.

If a frame is what you want to start with we have Freecycles here in Msla with literally 100's of used bike frames and mountains of parts for a minimal donation - maybe Bozeman has something similar.
 
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