Cycling UK Forum

I am looking at getting back I to cycling. I'm 6,3 and wondering what size frame I should be looking for? I am planning on getting a road bike or hybrid this time. Thanks for any advice.

Probably XL or 60/61cm Frame size. But much like shoes it's going to depend on the manufacturer sizing and your personal preference. Could be up or down a size.

You can be 6'3" with short legs & a long body, vice-versa or "normal". I'd suggest going to a shop and asking to sit on a few. As you probably know since you say getting 'back' into cycling, you need to be able to touch the ground with your toes only. The rest will follow.

Looking at some of the overclad folk on electric panzers that I meet on the cycle paths, they kept both feet flat on the ground when they bought theirs.

Riley26 wrote: ↑5 May 2024, 6:51am I am planning on getting a road bike or hybrid this time.

I'm very much an advocate of being able to do most cycling on most bikes, but IMO the better the idea of what you want a bike for the better chance of getting the most suitable. If you don't know, that's fine as well, I'd recommend not spending too much money and getting something as versatile as possible till you better know what you're likely to be doing with it.
I'm half an inch shorter than you, I've had traditionally sized frames from 59 - 62cm or XL from bikes offered that way. There's a lot of adjustability on most modern bikes, you only have to get the three contact points in the right place and be able to touch the floor. I have a folding bike that's only made in one size and I can set that up to be as comfortable as the bike I was measured for.

Welcome to the forum. If you are changing the type of bike I would definitely look at starting 2nd hand. Not sure of budget etc. but there’s a Cube in the For Sale section you might look at.

Audax67 wrote: ↑5 May 2024, 9:03am
Looking at some of the ... folk on electric panzers that I meet on the cycle paths, ...

Very apt description.

There was a second hand one I saw there I thought looked good local. Seems a good make etc. Can Imagine buying second hand can be a mine field? I wear 32" regular jeans so think most of my height is in my body. SL suggests a Large frame may do?
Thanks for all the response.

Most modern bikes are pretty well built, signs of wear to look out for are: buckled wheels, dents in the main tubes (can happen on aluminium frames easily), gears not changing properly (chain/cassette issues) and extreme wear (concave type) on the wheel rims. If you see any of these, run a mile! The wheels are ac dead giveaway to extended use/abuse

Hybrid or gravel will be the most versatile,both able to accomodate 35mm + tyres which ,on most roads nowadays you,ll find you may need.Some nice bikes out there for £600 plus.The law of diminishing returns kicks in around 1500 ?I guess for which you,d could get a full carbon bike with an ok groupset.Flat bars or drops is an important choice from the start.I run two flat bar bikes,converted from drops .A bit of a faff so probably your first thing to decide.Hope this is some help.P.S. some great bargains 2nd hand ,take a cycling friend .

If your height is mostly in your body as you say, you may be better to take some of the weight on your arms so a road bike or more sporty type flat bar bike will be better where you have less weight on your bum. If you choose an upright town bike your bum can get very sore by sitting too upright where most of your weight is on it. If your very slim and light this may not be as big an issue.

A recumbent is good in this respect but has a host of new problems that will need addressed -- like cost etc.

A big comfy saddle can cause circulation problems when the foam pushes into your perineum.

Flat bar road bikes are great (Nb. Have used them since 2002), but ensure that the fork isn't cut too low, c/w low handlebars. Just as with a road bike, if the handlebars are mounted a good 3-4" below the height of the saddle, it can give crippling neck pain, the neck having to be twisted upwards/backwards throughout a ride.

gbnz wrote: ↑5 May 2024, 9:25pm Flat bar road bikes are great (Nb. Have used them since 2002), but ensure that the fork isn't cut too low, c/w low handlebars. Just as with a road bike, if the handlebars are mounted a good 3-4" below the height of the saddle, it can give crippling neck pain, the neck having to be twisted upwards/backwards throughout a ride.

+1.Going down the "gravel" route generally means bars are higher by design.

Cowsham wrote: ↑5 May 2024, 8:33pm If your height is mostly in your body as you say, you may be better to take some of the weight on your arms so a road bike or more sporty type flat bar bike will be better where you have less weight on your bum. If you choose an upright town bike your bum can get very sore by sitting too upright where most of your weight is on it. If your very slim and light this may not be as big an issue.

A recumbent is good in this respect but has a host of new problems that will need addressed -- like cost etc.

A big comfy saddle can cause circulation problems when the foam pushes into your perineum.

When you are pedalling, your weight is on your feet. (On an upright bike)

531colin wrote: ↑6 May 2024, 7:35am

Cowsham wrote: ↑5 May 2024, 8:33pm If your height is mostly in your body as you say, you may be better to take some of the weight on your arms so a road bike or more sporty type flat bar bike will be better where you have less weight on your bum. If you choose an upright town bike your bum can get very sore by sitting too upright where most of your weight is on it. If your very slim and light this may not be as big an issue.

A recumbent is good in this respect but has a host of new problems that will need addressed -- like cost etc.

A big comfy saddle can cause circulation problems when the foam pushes into your perineum.

When you are pedalling, your weight is on your feet. (On an upright bike)

Them why are a lot of cranks set forward of the saddle ie you can't get your feet to take all of your body weight till you stand up on the pedals? Most people I see pedaling seated have knees coming up to their chests.

Cowsham wrote: ↑6 May 2024, 7:47am

531colin wrote: ↑6 May 2024, 7:35am

Cowsham wrote: ↑5 May 2024, 8:33pm If your height is mostly in your body as you say, you may be better to take some of the weight on your arms so a road bike or more sporty type flat bar bike will be better where you have less weight on your bum. If you choose an upright town bike your bum can get very sore by sitting too upright where most of your weight is on it. If your very slim and light this may not be as big an issue.

A recumbent is good in this respect but has a host of new problems that will need addressed -- like cost etc.

A big comfy saddle can cause circulation problems when the foam pushes into your perineum.

When you are pedalling, your weight is on your feet. (On an upright bike)

Them why are a lot of cranks set forward of the saddle ie you can't get your feet to take all of your body weight till you stand up on the pedals? Most people I see pedaling seated have knees coming up to their chests.

On anything like a conventional bike, the seat tube slopes back from the bottom bracket (say 73 degrees to horizontal) so in ALL cases the bottom bracket is forward of the seat tube. The saddle nose is always behind the BB axle. When I am “just tapping along” I have very little weight on my hands. Pedalling a bit harder, I am pulling up on the brake hoods (or bars). On a bumpy track I am in contact with the saddle but with very little weight on it.

But we have had these arguments before; I have written a DIY bike fit guide, linked below. I’m not typing it all out again. Try my recommendations, what is there to lose?