6'7" tall need advise...

PB Forum :: BMX (20")
6'7" tall need advise...
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flag jammybirch
Posted: Aug 1, 2016 at 18:02 Quote
I'm tall and need help with selecting a bike...I've been looking at the Colony Eclipse 24" bike but want some opinions on 20" bikes. I'm looking to hit small dirt jumps and street spots, I'm a mtb'r but really interested in BMX, is the 24" a bad choice? Is there a 20" out there that would be a better choice?
flag alexthekid
Posted: Aug 2, 2016 at 10:54 Quote
United KF22?

I might get one myself!
flag cmc4130
Posted: Aug 2, 2016 at 14:21 Quote
alexthekid wrote:
United KF22?

I might get one myself!

Yeah, I agree. Either 22" or 24" wheels.

Here's the United 22":
https://www.danscomp.com/products/107204/2017_United_KF22_Bike.html

I rode 20" and 24" bmx for a long time. Then got into 26" DJ. But, when 22" bmx came out, I was one of the first to buy one back in 2008, because I had dreamed of that size for a long time.

Indust Cuatro 24" next to Indust 2ton 22" Indust frames, made in Texas.
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://bmxmuseum.com/image/indust_cuatro_and_indust_2ton_blowup.jpg
I'm 6'1". This is me on 24"s.
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/cmc-Liquid-manual2.jpg
Size comparison between a Black Market Mob DJ MTB 26" with 4" bars and a Liquid Feedback 24" BMX with 9" bars:
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/BlackmarketMOB26andLiquidFEEDBACK24001.jpg
If you do go for the 24", note that the Colony has a high bottom bracket at 13.75". This was based on a theory, first introduced by Sunday with the Model C, that for similar responsiveness to 20"s, a 24" should have the same bottom bracket rise (above axle level).

While I think there is some merit to their theory, in terms of bunnyhop pop (note that Trials MTB's often have bb rise), I don't think it's necessarily true that a dirt jump 24" needs to have a high bb. Dirt Jump MTB's often have 0 to 1 inch of bottom bracket drop. BMX race 24"s often have 0 - 0.75"ish bb rise.

I feel like because you're 6'7", it's important to be centered "IN" the bike, rather than feeling like you're standing high above it. That can be corrected somewhat with just running taller bars, but I feel like there's still a difference in feeling when the bb is higher above the axles.

If you rode a Colony Eclipse 24", you may want to switch to 9" or even 10" rise bars. I tried this experiment a while back. You can see it here: http://ridemonkey.bikemag.com/threads/my-liquid-bike.227386/page-2#post-3624061

The Liquid Feedback I felt like was the ideal combination for street/park as well as dirt. The bottom bracket is 0.8" above axle level, and the back end is very short at 14.25". The We The People Atlas 24" also had a 0.8+ bb.

There's a company called Common Ground that actually blended ideas from Dirt Jump MTB with BMX 24" and came up with a short-back-end 24" that easy to pull up, but also a low-ish bottom bracket for stability in dirt jump lines.
http://www.commongroundbikes.com/ KingsgateDirtJumper on here has one. https://www.pinkbike.com/u/kingsgatedirtjumper/

The trouble with 20"s and being tall is that although you can run a long frame, you have to run a top load stem with rise and tall bars, with the stem spacered up, to get a similar stance to other riders. I feel like although that's doable, you do end up with a different geometry bike--it's more leverage on the back end, so you have a bike that loops out easily, especially with new school dj/park bmx frames having such short chainstays (typically less than 14" these days).

Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/geometry-BMX.jpg
Example of 20" BMX with some of the tallest bars available (S&M Elevenz).
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://p.vitalbmx.com/photos/forums/2015/05/01/41076/s1200_new_whip_2_2.jpg
flag jammybirch
Posted: Aug 30, 2016 at 17:02 Quote
Well I ended up getting the Eclipse and it's pretty good. The bike is high quality looks and feels pretty good. I say pretty good because I think higher bars are in order for me. I really have to lean back and pull hard to get the front end up, I think a higher stance and more leverage will make this whippy bike really fun and give me more pop on bunny hops. I don't really notice or seem bothered by being hunched over, I think this is hurting me over kickers though. I have been over the bars a few times, hopefully higher bars will help with control in the air.

I'm really happy with it, it looks good feels good and is exactly what I hoped it would be.
flag cmc4130
Posted: Aug 30, 2016 at 21:46 Quote
jammybirch wrote:
Well I ended up getting the Eclipse and it's pretty good. The bike is high quality looks and feels pretty good. I say pretty good because I think higher bars are in order for me. I really have to lean back and pull hard to get the front end up, I think a higher stance and more leverage will make this whippy bike really fun and give me more pop on bunny hops. I don't really notice or seem bothered by being hunched over, I think this is hurting me over kickers though. I have been over the bars a few times, hopefully higher bars will help with control in the air.

I'm really happy with it, it looks good feels good and is exactly what I hoped it would be.

good to hear!
flag Aaronz25RS
Posted: Sep 18, 2016 at 17:20 Quote
26" BMX offers a lot of room, lacks in things like grinds and such..
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/sublimewind/Bike%20Pics/IMG_20160417_231546.jpg
flag core-macneil-rider
Posted: Oct 1, 2016 at 23:35 Quote
jammybirch wrote:
I'm tall and need help with selecting a bike...I've been looking at the Colony Eclipse 24" bike but want some opinions on 20" bikes. I'm looking to hit small dirt jumps and street spots, I'm a mtb'r but really interested in BMX, is the 24" a bad choice? Is there a 20" out there that would be a better choice?
for a 20 inch bike id personally suggest something along the lines of a macneil douce douce frame it has a 22 inch top tube though there are other companies with frames that have 22 inch long top tubes these days, then grab yourself a top loader stem and a fork with a longer steer tube so you can run spacers under the stem then grab yourself some bars around 8.7 maybe even 9 inches tall and play around with spacers and stem mounted normally or flipped to drop the bars till you find the right height, personally i run about an inch to an inch and a quarter of spacers under my stem for a gyro with a top loader stem flipped and 8.7 tall bars, i personally think a flipped top loader looks sick especially the s&m stems, if i run a top loader normally i run 8,25 to 8.5 inch tall bars. im only 5'11 though, i like really big bar set ups though i also run a slightly large frame for my size, its all personally preference really though im fairly certain a 22 inch long top tube with a longer rear end a top loader and a bunch of spacers under the stem and say some 9 inch rise bars would be fine for you though id also suggest pulling the rear wheel back in the drop outs.
flag core-macneil-rider
Posted: Oct 1, 2016 at 23:39 Quote
Aaronz25RS wrote:
26" BMX offers a lot of room, lacks in things like grinds and such..
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/sublimewind/Bike%20Pics/IMG_20160417_231546.jpg
for a second i thought you were making a joke with the image as i didnt see the bike only the boat in the background, the owner of a local shop i used to have it my city had a 26 inch mtb he modded so he could ride flatland bmx on it, he made jokes about it feeling like a station wagon so i thought you were making a joke that a bmx for someone that tall would feel like a oceantanker. lol sorry for the rant a little intoxicated Razz
flag Aaronz25RS
Posted: Oct 2, 2016 at 13:59 Quote
core-macneil-rider wrote:
Aaronz25RS wrote:
26" BMX offers a lot of room, lacks in things like grinds and such..
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/sublimewind/Bike%20Pics/IMG_20160417_231546.jpg
for a second i thought you were making a joke with the image as i didnt see the bike only the boat in the background, the owner of a local shop i used to have it my city had a 26 inch mtb he modded so he could ride flatland bmx on it, he made jokes about it feeling like a station wagon so i thought you were making a joke that a bmx for someone that tall would feel like a oceantanker. lol sorry for the rant a little intoxicated Razz

Lol.. its all good.. haha...

Actually though, with my geo, its REALLY a 26" BMX bike.. steep HT angle, high BB, super short rear end, tall bars... it all makes for an amazing street bike, jumps pretty good, a bit twitchy.. but I built it to BE twitchy like a BMX..

I just wish I wasn't over 40, my riding just doesn't do the bike itself justice. . My lower back just can't keep up.. hahaha..
flag core-macneil-rider
Posted: Oct 2, 2016 at 16:20 Quote
Aaronz25RS wrote:
core-macneil-rider wrote:
Aaronz25RS wrote:
26" BMX offers a lot of room, lacks in things like grinds and such..
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/sublimewind/Bike%20Pics/IMG_20160417_231546.jpg
for a second i thought you were making a joke with the image as i didnt see the bike only the boat in the background, the owner of a local shop i used to have it my city had a 26 inch mtb he modded so he could ride flatland bmx on it, he made jokes about it feeling like a station wagon so i thought you were making a joke that a bmx for someone that tall would feel like a oceantanker. lol sorry for the rant a little intoxicated Razz

Lol.. its all good.. haha...

Actually though, with my geo, its REALLY a 26" BMX bike.. steep HT angle, high BB, super short rear end, tall bars... it all makes for an amazing street bike, jumps pretty good, a bit twitchy.. but I built it to BE twitchy like a BMX..

I just wish I wasn't over 40, my riding just doesn't do the bike itself justice. . My lower back just can't keep up.. hahaha..
haha yoga my friend yoga helps also certain other exercises and stretches can help with the lower back pain. also my bmx bikes always feel sorta huge for what they are, i run really long stems plus i chicago my bars as well as run a stupid tall bar set up for my height.
flag Aaronz25RS
Posted: Oct 3, 2016 at 6:31 Quote
core-macneil-rider wrote:
Aaronz25RS wrote:
core-macneil-rider wrote:
for a second i thought you were making a joke with the image as i didnt see the bike only the boat in the background, the owner of a local shop i used to have it my city had a 26 inch mtb he modded so he could ride flatland bmx on it, he made jokes about it feeling like a station wagon so i thought you were making a joke that a bmx for someone that tall would feel like a oceantanker. lol sorry for the rant a little intoxicated Razz

Lol.. its all good.. haha...

Actually though, with my geo, its REALLY a 26" BMX bike.. steep HT angle, high BB, super short rear end, tall bars... it all makes for an amazing street bike, jumps pretty good, a bit twitchy.. but I built it to BE twitchy like a BMX..

I just wish I wasn't over 40, my riding just doesn't do the bike itself justice. . My lower back just can't keep up.. hahaha..
haha yoga my friend yoga helps also certain other exercises and stretches can help with the lower back pain. also my bmx bikes always feel sorta huge for what they are, i run really long stems plus i chicago my bars as well as run a stupid tall bar set up for my height.

I dont know where to even begin with Yoga...

The bike feels great though, and doesn't feel huge at all.. the bars I have on it roughly equate to a mid size BMX bar once you compare. . I had 7.5" bars on at one point, that was tooo much
flag cmc4130
Posted: Oct 3, 2016 at 11:46 Quote
it's interesting how something like a Volume Sledgehammer has, what, like 6"-ish bars(?), and short fork (maybe 395mm?? axle to crown), but the bottom bracket looks to be at axle level.

however, for someone 6'7" tall, the Sledgehammer might not be quite long enough in the front. if I remember right, they were 22" top tube. a friend of mine got a custom 26" bmx with a 23" top tube, a shorter back end, and the bottom bracket 0.75" above axle level.

Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://volumebikes.com/bmx/wp-content/uploads/sledge-id9.jpghttp://volumebikes.com/id/id-sledgehammer/

custom "Beelzebike" by Buddy S.

https://cruiserrevolution.com/2012/10/26/introducing-beelzebike-the-20-666-er/
photo

Buddy S.
photo
flag core-macneil-rider
Posted: Oct 3, 2016 at 13:37 Quote
Aaronz25RS wrote:
core-macneil-rider wrote:
Aaronz25RS wrote:


Lol.. its all good.. haha...

Actually though, with my geo, its REALLY a 26" BMX bike.. steep HT angle, high BB, super short rear end, tall bars... it all makes for an amazing street bike, jumps pretty good, a bit twitchy.. but I built it to BE twitchy like a BMX..

I just wish I wasn't over 40, my riding just doesn't do the bike itself justice. . My lower back just can't keep up.. hahaha..
haha yoga my friend yoga helps also certain other exercises and stretches can help with the lower back pain. also my bmx bikes always feel sorta huge for what they are, i run really long stems plus i chicago my bars as well as run a stupid tall bar set up for my height.

I dont know where to even begin with Yoga...

The bike feels great though, and doesn't feel huge at all.. the bars I have on it roughly equate to a mid size BMX bar once you compare. . I had 7.5" bars on at one point, that was tooo much
lol find a yoga trainer and get some lessons then practice yourself also just any stretches will help alot, also invest in something called a magic bag theyre the f*cking bomb just throw that sucker in the microwave for a few minutes and youve got yourself an awesome heat pack.
flag cmc4130
Posted: Oct 3, 2016 at 15:23 Quote
core-macneil-rider wrote:

Aaronz25RS wrote:

I dont know where to even begin with Yoga...

The bike feels great though, and doesn't feel huge at all.. the bars I have on it roughly equate to a mid size BMX bar once you compare. . I had 7.5" bars on at one point, that was tooo much


lol find a yoga trainer and get some lessons then practice yourself also just any stretches will help alot, also invest in something called a magic bag theyre the f*cking bomb just throw that sucker in the microwave for a few minutes and youve got yourself an awesome heat pack.

This has been the single most helpful stretch ever for me, in relation to riding.


photo
Overly-tight hamstrings can cause weird issues that doctors sometimes don't even catch onto unless you tell them you ride bikes all the time.

http://www.ilovebicycling.com/avoiding-sciatica-while-riding/

"If the hamstrings, glute maximus, hip flexor, or specifically the piriformis is tight it can choke the sciatic nerve and cause this nagging pain. It can also cause improper rotation of the hips, which aggravate the sciatic nerve. It is imperative we stretch these muscles before and after riding. These muscles should be stretched ideally 3 times for 20-30 seconds multiple times a day. Using a stretch out strap (pictured below) is beneficial in getting a good hamstring stretch. Below I’ve demonstrated some great stretches for the glute maximus, hip flexor, and piriformis."
flag CHILDISHGAMBINO
Posted: Oct 9, 2016 at 11:19 Quote
I'm 6'2" and I have a Haro X24(in my pic). I really like it but I don't like the low rise bars on it. I'm thinking of putting some 9 or 10 inch bars on it. What do you guys think. What are the disadvantages of running higher bars?
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