Best Bikes For Tall People

‍One of the frustrations for a tall person is adapting to everyday products built to fit everyone else, like bicycles. What are the best bikes for tall people?

The best bikes for tall people are listed below,

• Hiland Road Bike Shimano
• Clydesdale Rein
• Tommaso Fascino Sport Performance XL
• Eurobike 29” Men’s Mountain Bike
• Van Moof S3 High Tech Electric Bike
• Canyon Roadlite 7

The popularity of bicycling continues to grow by leaps and bounds worldwide, but until recently, there have been few options for taller riders. For those over the average of 5’ - 11” (like myself), we had to make do with a bicycle that didn’t exactly fit us correctly. This inconvenience resulted in most taller riders finding other sports to engage in. But today, things are changing. Companies are responding to the physiques of big and tall men and finding a vast market to be had by adapting the size of their bikes to riders of all sizes.

‍‍‍What are the Best Bikes For Tall People?

Many manufacturers are working hard to earn their share of the market for cyclists requiring special height accommodations.

HH Hiland Road Bike Shimano - Size L

This beautiful bike is designed for the daily rider and comes large for the tall rider. (There are three sizes). The lightweight aluminum frame is robust and agile, with a sturdy feel. The aluminum alloy makes the bike easy to maneuver, but it is solid enough to absorb most impacts the road might offer. The entire bike weighs 26.4 lbs, so lifting it onto a rack for storage or transport is easy.

The bike has 14 speeds and Shimano shifters coupled with L-TWOO derailleurs, making smooth and soft transitions between gears. The brakes are dual calipers rather than discs, which have adequate grip in emergencies. The Hiland has 700c tires, allowing more distance per revolution than many standard bikes. Wider tires also aid in the smoothness of the ride, allowing you to traverse potholes and imperfections without rattling your teeth loose.

If you are over 6’2” - the L-size bike should fit you perfectly. The seat is adjustable, depending on how much legroom is needed. The bike also is strong enough to handle a 300 lb weight limit, which makes it ideal for more prominent men who want to pedal their way to freedom. The Hiland is reasonably priced (under $400) but comes with some required assembly. (Several reviews indicated that the company did not send any tools for the assembly, so be prepared to have to put the bike together).

Hiland has been in business since 2000 and has a reputation for building high-quality bicycles. Their company seems committed to helping the everyday rider have as enjoyable an experience as possible. The website is easy to navigate, and several helpful assembly videos and a size chart help you land on the right bike. They offer all kinds of variations of bicycles, from mountain to electric. The Hiland is a great bike, particularly if you start as a new rider.

Ratings

• 4.6 on Hiland's website
• 3.9 on Amazon

Pros

• Affordable
• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Easy to maneuver
• Gaining popularity in Europe and Asia
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Adjustable seat for taller men
• Weight limit of 300 lbs.

Cons

• Needs tools for assembly
• It may need retuning by a bike shop after assembly

Price

For more information, see the manufacturer’s website

For Today’s Price, see Amazon

Clydesdale Rein

This bike is primarily built for prominent men by a new company based out of Boulder, Colorado. The Rein has multiple sizes that fit men up to over 7 feet, equipped with hubs with a 450 lb weight limit. The Rein is their flat handlebar gravel/road/commuter bike that retails for over $3,000. Even though that might sound expensive, many custom-built bikes retail for much more.

The titanium frame is more flexible than aluminum, with half the weight of steel frames. This material allows for a larger frame that can maximize pedaling efficiency. In addition, titanium never corrodes, so the company offers the option of leaving the natural titanium finish, or painting it in your favorite color.

The bike sports a Scram Apex 1 x 11 speed with bombproof wheels handmade in the shop in Boulder. The handlebars are widened to accommodate broad-shouldered riders, and the company will work with the buyer to make suggestions about what bike works best. The turnaround time for the custom-built bike is about six weeks to ten weeks.

Clydesdale bikes were inspired by two innovators, Lennard Zinn and Nick Wigston whose work at the custom manufacturer, Zinn Cycles, paved the way for their company. As a national cycling team member in his 20s, Zinn discovered an issue with most standard bikes in that they encountered a high-speed vibration that severely affected the ride. Being 6’-6”, he went on a mission to develop a giant bike that didn’t “shimmy.” Starting in 2017, the passion of Clydesdale is to offer custom-made bikes for all kinds of people, but especially for taller riders. They have grown into a powerhouse (particularly in the Western States) and have a reputation for working with each client. Reviews have been very positive about the technical support that the consultants at CB have provided.

Ratings

• 5.0 on Clydesdale website

Pros

• Affordable for a custom-built bike
• Titanium frame
• Gaining popularity in Colorado
• Five sizes for tall riders from L to 4XL
• Weight limit of 450 lbs.
• Great technical help for customization.

Cons

• Six to ten weeks turnaround
• $2000 non-refundable deposit.

Price

For more information and Today’s Price, see the manufacturer’s website.

Tommaso Fascino Sport Performance XL

This bike has a full 21 gears and is a beautiful performance bike. Equipped with Shimano shifters, the rider should easily conquer any incline. The lightweight aluminum frame is sturdy and well-built, with a VDT fork offering a balanced, vibration-free ride. The frame comes with a lifetime warranty. There are several different sizes, but the XL is built for riders from 6’-2 to 6’-7 with a 32.3” standover height.

The wheel size is 700c, with a 20 mm rim profile that lowers the drag coefficient so that the bike moves through the air quickly. Handlebars are moveable to allow for different riding positions.

Tommaso started as a dream of an Italian racing cyclist who longed to make a quality bicycle for the general public. The company moved to Denver in the early 1990s and has made the Rocky Mountains its home ever since. The company offers lots of different bikes and accessories, so there is always something for every cyclist. The bike is moderately priced and backed by a company that is genuinely interested in the riding experience.

Ratings

• 4.3 on Amazon

Pros

• Reasonably Priced
• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Made in the USA
• Limited lifetime frame warranty
• Adjustable seat for taller men
• XL size fits tall men best.

Cons

• Some complaints about the heaviness of the bike

Price

For more information, see the manufacturer’s website

For Today’s Price, see Amazon

Eurobike 29" Men’s Mountain Bike

The 29” Eurobike is specially designed for taller riders. This bike features a 19” lightweight but a strong aluminum frame with adequate welds and a heavy-duty suspension fork to handle almost any challenging terrain. The 29” rims are tri-spoke, reinforced to handle the rough terrain. (No more breaking a wire spoke), but sleek enough to be very attractive and wind resistant for daily commuting.

This bike has 21 gears with Shimano shifters and Shimano TY-300 derailleurs all around that make for easy transitions when needed. The front and rear disc braking system aid when emergency stops are needed, and the bike seat can be easily adjusted to accommodate riders up to 6’ - 3 “ and has a weight limit of 300 lbs. The bike is heavier than many competitors' (average being 28 - 32 lbs).

Eurobike is manufactured by Kingttu Bikes in Tianjin, China. The factory has been producing bicycles for 15 years and is almost always on the best lists. The bike is priced at a tad over $430 and is considered the best value in mountain bikes. Eurobike has a 4.3 rating on Amazon.

Ratings

• 4.3 on Amazon

Pros

• Best Value in Moutain bikes
• Heavier than other bikes - but this provides stability to the frame.
• Adjustable seat for taller men
• Tri spoke rims are very cool

Cons

• Made overseas
• Fits up to 6’ - 3”

Price

For more information, see the manufacturer’s website

For Today’s Price, see Amazon

VanMoof S3 Electric Bike

This unit is one of the best electric bikes on the market, was the winner of RedDot’s award of 2020, and has made several best bike lists, including Forbes. The bike is engineered for riders 5’-8 to 6’- 8, which makes this the perfect bicycle for tall guys like myself. Powered by a 504 Wh battery with a riding range of 38 - 93 miles, this bike is ideal for commuters and daily riders who want to enjoy some fresh air but have the bike do most of the work. The recharge time is minimal, with a full charge occurring in five hours (50% charge in 80 minutes).

The motor has a top speed of 20 mph, so that the bike will stay on track with itself. The motor is tranquil, designed to run almost silently. While the bike has electronic shifting, it only has four gears, but for the average daily rider, this is enough to handle almost any situation.

There are several exciting features to the bike, like an anti-theft security system built into the bike that lets you know on your smartphone if someone is tampering with it. Not only does the app allow you to have a remote lockdown of the bike, but should thieves get their hands on it, the bike has a built-in tracking device so that the authorities know right where to go to retrieve it. A simple button tap on the rear wheel will immobilize the rear wheel and activate the onboard alarm system.

There is a hydraulic braking system that is so smooth you will feel no slippage, even on wet road surfaces.

VanMoof is a bicycle company headquartered out of Amsterdam, Netherlands, that started producing high-tech bicycles in 2008. The company is passionate about helping congested cities reduce carbon footprints by building quality bikes. Due to the crowded city conditions, these bikes, and the punishment that city streets can inflict, these bikes are made to last.

While their bikes are not cheap (the S3 retails for around $2500), the advantage of knowing you won’t have to replace your bike if it is stolen makes a living in the city much more bearable and possibly worth the luxury of investing in a high-tech bike like this one.

Ratings

• Several review sites have listed the bike as excellent

Pros

• A good range for an e-bike.
• Anti-theft system
• Adjustable seat for taller men - fits up to 6’ - 8”.
• The electronic shifter and hydraulic braking
• Solid - Durable construction

Cons

• Made overseas
• Expensive - may be above some budgets

Price

For more information and Today’s Price, see the manufacturer’s website

Canyon Roadlite 7

This bicycle is a beautiful hybrid bike that combines the comfort of a commuter bike and a road bike's speed and agility. The 11-speed bike comes in many sizes, but the 2XL is built for 6’-4” or taller individuals, so this bike can definitely fit the bill. The bike has a weight limit of 250 lbs. (So it may not be for everyone).

The hydraulic braking system is a Shimano MT200 with a reputation for providing excellent stopping power in any situation. The brakes are operated with adjustable 3-finger levers on the handlebars for optimal rider comfort.

The bike is sleek, attractive, and lightweight, making it easy to mount or carry over the shoulder. The aluminum frame is sturdy, designed to hold up to the hazard of rigid pavement, and yet not so stiff that the rider doesn’t get jarred when riding over imperfections. The flat-styled handlebars offer the comfort of an upright riding position, which is helpful in congested city traffic. The bike is reasonably priced at around $1000, which is not a bad price for a hybrid.

The Canyon is a German bike manufacturer producing cycles since 2006. They have a good reputation for building quality bicycles and are passionate about promoting the cycling movement as much as possible. They also make a Roadlite 5 and 6 model worth investigating.

Ratings

• Several review sites have listed the bike on best-reviewed lists

Pros

• Aluminum frame
• 11-speed - the bike is designed for city traffic
• Many sizes - 2XL for men over 6’-4”.
• Shimano parts
• Solid - Durable construction
• Reasonable price for a hybrid

Cons

• Made overseas

Price

For more information and Today’s Price, see the manufacturer’s website

What Are The Factors to Consider in Choosing a Bike?

There are various questions that should be considered when deciding what bicycle is the best for your situation. Here are some questions that should be answered to help narrow down the choices.

What Kind of Cycling Will You be Doing?

Choose a bike designed for mountain terrain if you plan to ride on mountain trails. A commuter or hybrid is best if you want a bike to ride to work. By determining the primary road surface the bike will travel on, you can ensure that the bike is designed to handle the punishment of constant use. Below are some different variants of cycling.

Road bikes are the most common form of cycling, including racing and recreational cycling. Primarily, this type of bicycle is for those who ride on paved roads in a competitive or commuter setting. While there are other distinctions, a road bike will have thinner tires and a lightweight frame with less suspension than other bikes. The bike is streamlined to be more aero-efficient.

Mountain

This bicycle style is used on mountain trails and off-road settings. Mountain bikes are equipped with wider and thicker tires and a suspension fork for the front tire to handle the rough terrain of a dirt or rocky trail.

BMX

A BMX bike is used in bicycle motocross, where competitors ride their bicycles over a dirt course filled with hills and jumps. The bike will generally have wider tires or a more durable frame to withstand the punishment of landings and being raced around a track.

Electric

For those riders who aren’t interested in pedaling but letting the bike assist them, an electric bike is a way to go. Most electric bikes operate off of a rechargeable battery and have limited range. The bike can be programmed to complement the rider's normal pedaling, or the bike can move without any leg work from the rider. Electric bikes are beautiful for people rehabbing from injuries, the elderly, or the disabled.

Cruiser

This is a bike that does exactly what its name implies. It cruises. This bicycle is often called a beach cruiser because it is designed to be an uncomplicated bicycle that allows the rider to sit more erect and be comfortable while riding.  The cruiser bike is for you if you enjoy taking your time and leisurely pedaling on short trips or commutes.

What Kind of Budget Will You Have?

Since bicycles can range in price from around a hundred dollars to even several thousand, it is essential to decide upfront exactly how much you are willing to spend as an owner. The idea is to find a bike that provides the most value. In other words, you want a bike that meets your needs but doesn’t waste money.

What Kind of Support Will You Have?

This is an important consideration when choosing a bicycle because many local bike clubs can offer great support for what works best. Many cities have local bike clubs that sponsor rides or events that can provide a safe and secure place to ride.

In addition, it is always a good idea to connect with a local bike shop. Even if you order your bike online and assemble it yourself, a bike shop can help “tune” the bicycle to your exact body type. These adjustments can make your bicycling experience much more enjoyable. In addition, a good bike shop can help repair the bike should anything break and need to be fixed.

Another great idea is to go shopping at your local bike shop so the consultant can help you with the exact size measurements needed. Even if you do not purchase a bicycle from that dealer, you will be armed with more information about what kind of bike would work best for you and your situation.