I'm in a dilemma ,help please

[Magicsride]

Hello all , great forum
I'm looking to getting back in to mtb 's after a trip to centre parks , my problem is this : last year I bought ,2nd hand , a ridgeback high velocity hybrid bike with a19" frame , I thought it was great but I'm now realising it's too small as I'm 6ft 6 . I've only used it 3 times before centre parcs ,Should I sell this ?
Also from many years previous 1998 I think I bought a gt tequesta which again ,2nd hand but in great condition,I used about 3times but I think this is a similar size frame 19" ,too small . Should I sell this ? Finally I have from when I was 15 a Raleigh massif in a 23 " frame !good condition !should I use this ? And is it an easy job to swap the gears , brakes and chain set from the gt to the massif as I remember them not being much good?

Basically do I sell all 3 and buy a 23" new bike or sell 1 and convert the other 2 to an improved retro bike ,would this be easy to do ?( sorry for my long winded question)

 

[hamster]

If it is the wrong size it will never be right. At 6'6" you need at least a 20" frame, quite possibly even 22" depending on your leg length etc.

Getting stuff to fit on very old frames can be tedious - too much has often changed. I would look for a large frame or bike on here - transplanting the bits from one of the mothers could help you get started.

Get the right frame size - if it's wrong you will never be able to correct it.

 

[ti_pin_man]

Hello and welcome big fella.
At your height getting a bike thats the right size is the most key criteria, clearly the two 19 inch frames are never going to fit you properly, its very hard to make a 19 inch frame fit a fella who who likes a 23 inch frame, no amount of long seat posts or stems are going to make up that difference. As such I'd say sell em on eBay or somewhere and get yourself a bike with a frame to suit.

tbh the other option of swapping parts onto the raleigh massif might not be as easy as you'd think, parts are often not swappable without changing other things and size standards have changed through the years. You could probably replace worn parts at a shop but you'd be very lucky if you could swap them from the other bikes.

Note: imho sell em on and buy something that fits.

 

[Takingabreak]

Re:

I would think the parts you mention would swap over ok to the Raleigh but even that frame might be a tad too small for you as it's a horizontal top tube design.

 

[The History Man]

I too am a larger gentleman and have made the same error in the past. Go big. The smaller ones will annoy, especially if you eventually try one in the right size.

I speak from experience.

And welcome.

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Good evening , and welcome to the forum

If it were me , I'd sell them all , and get one nice bike the right size . It's simply not worth the hassle of swapping bits when you can get a reasonable built bike for the price of three bikes instead .
Mike

 

[Takingabreak]

hmm, wouldn't 6' 6" suit a large modern 29er

runs and hides..........

 

[dirttorpedo]

Re:

What about a retro 29'er - what sizes did the old Rock'nRoad's come in?

Another vote for sell the lot and get a bike/frame that fits you. You are so tall that a custom frame may be in order.

 

[dyna-ti]

I one bought a bike(Marin Palisades ) from a guy on ebay. Pick up only, and not far and advertised as the large, he also stated he was 6'5'.
Im 6'3" and in need of a commuter so bought it. Went to pick it up and it turned out to be a small medium :shock:

I bought it anyway as it came with extras and was a good deal. My consolation was thinking this huge guy riding around for years on a tiny bike Admittedly, i did tell him he must of looked pretty ridiculous . He took it well ;lol: I also pointed him at a good bike shop with some size recommendations

My advice is if it fits, wear it and dont let it go. Finding the right bike when your tall is a friggin nightmare.
Ive found my ideal to be 20 1/2" C-C seat tube with about 23 1/4" C-C toptube. Maybe you should look to 21" with a 231/4 - 231/2" maybe 24 :? though 24 could be a bit too stretched out for you, kind of depends what youre used to and how old your back is


Just spotted the last reply on 29rs
If i could afford it i would go that route. Full sus too. Designed with giants in mind.

 

[Magicsride]

I did try a 19" 29er at a local bike shop but again it was too small ,he said I needed a 21 but as usual ,I'd have to order . It would be good to find a bike shop nearby that stock the big frames so I could try different makes and models.

Anyhow thanks for your all your help ,think il go and sit on the massif ,it's been a while( somewhere in my parents shed ). Il see how big or small that feels . Anybody know by chance what companies have the biggest frames ?