Tall people aren’t usually given too much thought while making any sport gear. More often than not, if you fall above the average height spectrum, finding bikes that favour your long legs is quite a task. I specifically have found getting the right kind of bike to be the most difficult part of the sport, even more so than the actual biking. And because I have had such a hard time finding the perfect bike through a process of trial and error, curating an article for my fellow bikers who might be struggling with the same seemed like a noble thing to do and don’t get a seeker started on what it’s like to find the best mountain bike for tall riders.
Mountain bikes, while being quite similar to normal bikes, have a lot of features that you will be thankful for while you embark on journeys which don’t necessarily follow the norm. There are various types of mountain bikes available in the market, with their own specificities but not every one of them would cater to your tall structure.
There are two main types of mountain bikes, hardtail and suspension types, both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Since you are looking at this article chances are, you are just starting out with off-road biking and you probably won’t need a suspension bike for a long long time from now.
Suspension bikes are heavier in comparison because of their gear but are an absolute necessity for certain terrains. Hardtails on the other hand are much easier to ride because of their lightweight and low complexity. Suspension bikes, obviously, are more expensive than hardtails because of their intricate make. Whatever might be your preference, there is a bike listed below that will gratify your preferences.
7 Best Mountain Bike for tall riders
Diamondback Overdrive (Hardtail)
This bike although on the more inexpensive end of the line is one of the best bikes out there, considering all aspects. It is perfect for beginners since it does not require much tuning(which is to say it’s much easier to get onto and start riding). It has an aluminum alloy frame which helps in cutting back weight which is always a welcome feature since the lighter the bike, the better your ability to ride it effortlessly.
The colour of the bike is ridiculously vibrant, not for the faint hearts but it would never wear out the new bike feeling. It has butted tubing which ensures greater traction which is, quite obviously, the highlight feature of any mountain bike because flying over the handlebars isn’t really what you’re looking for while getting a bike. It has mechanical disk brakes which help break speed during a descent and you can keep feathering the brakes to gradually come to a smooth stop.
A coil spring cork and 80 mm travel is exactly what you need when the terrain gets bumpy. It absorbs all of the shocks effortlessly to give you the most comfortable experience possible. The 29 inch wheels are made specifically for us tall lads and give more room for your legs to work their magic. It has 24 speed shifts which means it doesn’t matter whether you are going uphill or downhill, it’s always going to be a smooth ride with this. Overall if I were to go for an affordable bike while looking for something that isn’t too hard to figure out, this would be my first choice, without a doubt.
Ibis Ripley
Another cult favourite is the Ibis Ripley mountain bike, generation 3. As soon as you hear the word generation behind any bike, know that it’s going to be no joke.
The Ibis Ripley LS was put through modifications to make it a better, more versatile bike and that resulted into the making of this masterpiece. Anyone who has ridden the Ibis Ripley only had good things to say, especially tall folks. The seat tube is 20.5 inches long which means anyone above the height of six feet can easily ride this beast. Its carbon fibre body frame, makes it durable as well as lightweight. It also has a 25 inch top tube which means no more slouching for you, it helps maintain impeccable form while also ensuring maximum comfort.
The tyres are 3 inches wide so you never need to worry about slipping while you catch speed. It has one of the longest travels, at 130 mm which makes all of the bumpy rides less uncomfortable. If you ever worry about the chain getting stuck or running off the hook, you can stop because this bike has a power lock installed on the chain which makes it practically impossible for any of the above incidents to happen.
The handlebar is 780 mm which accommodates really long arms, always a plus! All things considered, this bike checks all of the boxes and is a dream to ride.
Diamondback bicycle catch 2
Another product from diamondback which shows great promises with incredible credibility and spectacular performance. Now this might burn a hole through your pocket but the hole is definitely going to be worth it if you are tired of riding all the wrong bikes that are definitely not made to fit your frame.
It has a 130 mm travel which is going to make sure that you have no shocks throwing you off course. Also another great feature is that this bike replaces the usual disc brakes with hydraulic brakes. Hydraulic brakes require so much less pressure and promise a smooth and powerful stop. They are specially known to be quite helpful when you are going downhill as it does not necessarily break your motion when pressed but just slightly slows the bike down and brings you to a halt whenever called for.
If you’re tired of assembling bikes because most bikes come unassembled, this is where all your troubles end, these bikes come 95 percent assembled which means you just have a little bit of tuning to do before you can take a ride on your new adventure partner. It gives you the choice to choose between 11 different speeds leading to easy and effortless rides. All in all, it has all the features a mountain bike should have to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as it can be.
Raleigh Kodiak Bikes 2
This is the bike you should take a look at if you are looking for a bike that does everything you want it to do but isn’t too fancy to a point where you don’t know if you’re handling it right. Raleigh Bikes have been known among bikers for decades now and have never been a source of disappointment and neither has this bike. It is a full suspension bike with adjustable aspects.
The only major problem with this bike is, the suspension has been notoriously known for its wear.
The suspension is that one part that you have to keep replacing periodically, other than that this bike is perfect since it’s not too light, not too heavy. It has a 120 mm travel ready to absorb all of the things that could derail your pleasant riding experience. It is available in a variety of sizes.
For people above the height of 6 feet, the XL bike is recommended by the company itself. It comes partially assembled which means it might take you a while to assemble and tune the bike but once it’s done you will be good to go for a long time. It is on the heavier end of bikes but since it is adjustable you could make certain changes to help it perfectly fit all of your preferences. A great buy in my opinion.
Gravity FSX 2.0
Another great affordable option for amateurs who have just started to look into off-road biking. This bike is a generation 2 bike which means it has accepted certain drawbacks and came back with a bang. This bike has an aluminum body which cuts weight off of the whole thing and makes it easier to ride. It has 24 speed levels! To help ensure that you’re never struggling, no matter the terrain. It comes in various sizes which are pretty universal and the recommended size for people above the height of 6 feet again, is XL.
It has hydroformed tubing to provide maximum fluidity and traction. The disc brakes on this bike are quite above average when put in comparison with bikes falling under the same price range. It has front and rear adjustable suspension which means you have innate room for tuning. You can adjust it to your personal preference and its versatility is sure to take you by surprise.
The wheels are 21 inches long which means no more leg cramping and feeling like you’re sitting in an economy class seat. Since it is more of an affordable option while also providing a lot of good features, it is a no-brainer that you are getting the absolute bang for your buck.
Merax 26″ Mountain Bike
The merax 26″ is a favourite among many bikers such as myself and for all the right reasons. This bike isn’t too big or too small but just the perfect size, you won’t be struggling to pedal or reach it either. The price at which this bike is available only adds to it. It is ultra-affordable but not at the cost of quality. It has 24 speed levels which is an insane amount for the amount, if you ask me!
It has a lightweight aluminum frame so you won’t be tiring yourself while riding this. It does come 85 percent assembled, which might be a pro for some and con for others. Irrespective, even if you have to pay your local garage worker some money for assembling it, this bike would live up to each and every penny. The dual disc brakes and fork suspension will avoid any abrupt brake accidents from happening so you can stop worrying about falling off your bike. People up to the height of 6’2″ have had only good things to say about this bike and rightly so.
There is no other bike that you can get for this price would also have as many features as this does. If you’re an entry level biker and you don’t really want to spend all your money into just the bike, this one is perfect.
Schwinn Bonafide Men’s Mountain Bike
Schwinn Bikes have a legacy to uphold and they have been with all of their bikes. This is another amazing inexpensive option to look into. It has 29 inch wheels so your feet won’t be dragging on the ground while you ride this bike. It has an aluminum frame which is both lightweight and durable. Front and rear mechanical disk brakes will help you come to a strong but smooth stop and since they are made of an alloy, you don’t need to worry about having to grease them all the time. Say goodbye to rusty old brakes.
The suspension forks help absorb all of the pesky bumps that might be caused by the rocks in your way. It has 24 speed shifts to ensure smooth sailing and maximum comfort. The tyres have aluminum alloy rims that add to the quality of the bike and lower the potential of the bike being high maintenance and you having to take a trip to the local garage every month. It is really cheap for the kind of endurance it offers and definitely not a bad option if this is to be your first bike.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a lot of bikes available in the market with varying prices and features that might fit the description of your ideal bike even though it seems next to impossible when you start looking for one. The above-mentioned bikes, all offer their unique and noteworthy attributes and are worth giving a shot as far as getting something worth your money is considered. I hope this article has been of help and you now have more clarity on what could be the perfect pick for you.