Larger frames

[Bladebeatereater]

Being on the taller side of things my own bikes need to be on the larger side of things. 20” 22”. My fixie is a 620mm

To me smaller frames look much more proportional and large frames look gangly and weird.

What is your opinions on this? I know I can’t influence my height and comfort is more important but are there any mitigation or ideas that can look better?

 

[winjohn]

I know what you mean, as a 6ft 3in rider I have a similar issue. I think it very much depends on the bike. I actually prefer the proportions of larger 90s mountain bikes to the smaller ones. I think a 16in mid-90s Kona does not look as elegant as a 20 inch one in general, I think it is due to the tubes looking thinner proportionally.
I would agree some 80's and 90's horizontal top tube road bikes look like gates, but more modern sloping tubes in 58 to 60cm bikes look fine to me. Possibly above 60cm things start to look a bit weird.
In terms of availability, I find that retro mountain bikes are hard to find in larger sizes, eg. I have bought and sold four Stumpjumpers in the last year or so while looking for a 20 or 21 incher but have only ever seen one for sale at those sizes and missed out in the auction.
On the other hand gate-sized retro road bikes seem ten a penny and available at silly low prices atm.
Swings and roundabouts...

 

[brocklanders023]

Same boat here, 6'2" and spent the 90's and 00's riding bikes that were too small because they looked better. God bless 29" wheels!

With my retro collection I stopped worrying about riding them too much when modern geometry changed to the point that it made my retro stuff feel very noodley and not much fun so now I buy for looks (usually 18/19") rather than usability. Saying that, I do still have a 21" Clockwork that due to the short headset almost gets away with it IMO.

 

[winjohn]

This is my 20 inch AA, looks fine to me.

 

[Bladebeatereater]

Yeah I think you are all right. It all depends on the frame design.

 

[winjohn]

21 inch Orange Clockwork

 

[grantoury]

My largest frame is 62cm and it still looks alright to me, but beyond that I agree they start to look not well proportioned, between 56 and 58cm looks the best to me, but small frames like 16" to 17,5" look absurd. So it may be a bit of a double edged sword so to speak.

 

[Filochard]

Yeah I think you are all right. It all depends on the frame design.

Not only.

 

[grantoury]

My Marin is a 22" and yes, because of the 29er wheels it still looks alright, to me at least.