...or aluminum.Sorry up front. I should have researched old posts more. I'm 6'-7". Looking to get an affordable steel frame that allows front suspension fork (29er of course). I'm now riding a xxl santacruz hightower cc. Love it, but checking to see if any off the shelf or affordable custom builds work for folks my size. I'm 6-7(250lbs) 52 yrs old. Not doing anything too crazy on trail but do have some fun.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Tall Guy Steel Frame Hardtail.
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Nice. That may just be the one for me. I had looked at Ventana Wolfram as well but definitely leaning towards steel.Pole taival in XL. I’m 6’7 and it fits great
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Thanks!
I’m not as tall as you guys but hear me out 🙂
I’m around 6 feet. Lanky AF. I have a large steel Honzo and a large Unit (that’s what she said 😝). Both bikes feel massive to me compared to, say, my large Druid (and I like big frames). I have owned a LOT of bikes and those two steel framed Konas feel like long legged giraffes to me.
I have not done any spec studying at all. Zero. I’m just going by feel, relative to other bikes I have owned. They both have adjustable drop outs. I have both slammed for the shortest wheelbase possible. Extended to their max wheelbase position, these bikes would feel even more roomy.
Just offering this with the suspicion that an XL steel Honzo frame, with the dropouts fully extended, may be an option for the OP. The adjustable drop outs are only available on the Kona steel Honzos (including ESDs).
Time for some hard truths:
I am 6'8" and an eighth of a ton. I will tell you the hardest truth first: There is no such thing as an affordable bike that does not fit. It is the start of a journey that will end in either injury or frustration or most likely both.
People over 6'5" get pretty good at putting up with close enough...airplane seats, clothing, shoes and counter tops. Don't do it with bikes...you will just end up annoyed and will find yourself riding less and less until you don't ride at all.
I have had so many so-called XXL bikes. I have had a 24" Surly Ogre and Kona Honzo in XL. I have tried and broken or tried and hated so many frames that I think back and laugh. I tried to save a penny and ended up paying by the pound, ramming my head in the same wall over and over again, expecting a different outcome.
Then, reluctantly and grudgingly, I ordered a custom frame from someone who knew what they were doing and knew what I needed. I gave him my ideas and he told me why some of them were terrible and some were interesting and some where very doable.
He made the bike I needed. It was the single best cycling money I have ever spent.
No more broken bikes. No more warranty claims. Just a bike that actually fits me, makes me smile and brings me into riding like nothing else.
I have a steel hardtail with T47 bottom bracket, a Fox 36 with a 20mm thru axle, 203mm brake rotors and its amazing.
Save money on the parts, pay for the frame and get it right. It is so worth it!
![Bicycle Wheel Tire Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Bicycle wheel rim]()
I am 6'8" and an eighth of a ton. I will tell you the hardest truth first: There is no such thing as an affordable bike that does not fit. It is the start of a journey that will end in either injury or frustration or most likely both.
People over 6'5" get pretty good at putting up with close enough...airplane seats, clothing, shoes and counter tops. Don't do it with bikes...you will just end up annoyed and will find yourself riding less and less until you don't ride at all.
I have had so many so-called XXL bikes. I have had a 24" Surly Ogre and Kona Honzo in XL. I have tried and broken or tried and hated so many frames that I think back and laugh. I tried to save a penny and ended up paying by the pound, ramming my head in the same wall over and over again, expecting a different outcome.
Then, reluctantly and grudgingly, I ordered a custom frame from someone who knew what they were doing and knew what I needed. I gave him my ideas and he told me why some of them were terrible and some were interesting and some where very doable.
He made the bike I needed. It was the single best cycling money I have ever spent.
No more broken bikes. No more warranty claims. Just a bike that actually fits me, makes me smile and brings me into riding like nothing else.
I have a steel hardtail with T47 bottom bracket, a Fox 36 with a 20mm thru axle, 203mm brake rotors and its amazing.
Save money on the parts, pay for the frame and get it right. It is so worth it!
Im 6'6". 50 years old. 218. I average 1500 trail miles from April to December. I just bought a Canfield Nimble 9 to compliment my Santa Cruz Hightower XXL (which fits pretty well). The Nimble on paper is big and bigger than most.....and Canfield said with a long stem it would be great....its not. See pics. It is way too small at 503 reach and 650 stack. Surleys are miniature in comparison. 2019 tallboy was tiny. My 2017 Salsa Timberjack was a like a BMX bike. I am currently looking for a used Pole Taival. High stack. Long reach. Anything shorter than 515 reach is too small but the stack has to be closer to 670 to truly
fit my personal tastes.My brother is 6'4". I think its too small for him. fits a 200 mm dropper though.Beautiful bike. Got the frame for sale on Pinkbike with zero miles. Bummer.
![Bicycle Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Bicycle wheel rim Tire Bicycle wheel]()
![Bicycle Wheel Tire Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Bicycle wheel]()
![Bicycle Wheel Tire Crankset Bicycles--Equipment and supplies]()
fit my personal tastes.My brother is 6'4". I think its too small for him. fits a 200 mm dropper though.Beautiful bike. Got the frame for sale on Pinkbike with zero miles. Bummer.
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