Are you a cycling enthusiast who is 6’5″ or taller? If so, determining wheel size may seem like a difficult task. But here at Zinn Cycles, we make this process easy, and we specialize in custom-built wheels for riders of all sizes, particularly those between 6’5″ to 7’5″ tall. Here is our bicycle wheel size for height breakdown, where we’ll discuss the specifics to help you determine the right wheel size for you.
Wheel Sizes For Road, Gravel, & Mountain Bike Riders
- 28” or 700c Wheels
- 29”, 29” Plus or (30”) Wheels
- 750D or 30” Wheels For Road & Gravel Bikes
- 32er Bike Wheels
- 36er Bike Wheels
- Our Recommendations For Riders 6’5″ to 7’4″
28” or 700c Wheels
A 28-inch wheel is ideal for cyclists looking for aerodynamic properties that enhance speed. This wheel size is used on road bikes and is lighter, faster, and stiffer than larger wheel sizes. They provide the rider with more powerful acceleration and easier maneuverability out on open roads and surfaces that require less traction. Replacement tires and tubes are easy to find, and there are more rim and tire options, so maintenance is never really an issue.
For riders who commute to work or love to explore local areas and neighborhoods, this is a great bicycle wheel size for height that will give you the versatility you’re looking for on your daily rides. If you’re a cyclist that likes to ride on gravel, 700c wheels provide the efficiency and speed you need to handle off-road terrain. The rims are larger than 26-inch wheels and provide extra cushion without sacrificing power and momentum.
29”, 29” Plus or (30”) Wheels
Our 29ers are great for mountain bikes and come with several options to meet the specifications of each rider. You can choose which type of rims, spokes, spoke nipples, and the spoke count you prefer.
Custom wheel spokes count ranges from 18 to 36 to give you the sturdiness you need, and you can choose the MTB disc hubs and freehub type to meet your front and rear axle specifications.
The 29″ Plus provides an extra inch of diameter that makes it 30″ and gives bigger and heavier riders more cushion and traction out on the trails. These rims are the perfect size if you’re looking for durability and performance but want a lighter wheel than a 32er or 36er.
This is a 3XL size mountain bike with 29+ tires
750D or 30” Wheels For Road & Gravel Bikes
If you ride road and gravel bikes, the perfect bicycle wheel size for height for 6’8″ to 7’5″ riders is the 750D or 30″ inch wheel. They are lighter-weight than the wheels you’d find on a 32er bike and 36er bike, and they are more aesthetically proportional than the 700c wheels for taller riders.
The 750D provides faster acceleration than the 32er and 36er and faster overall speed than the 700c. However, the acceleration is slower than what you get from the 700c. Because this is a new size wheel for road and gravel bikes, there aren’t many tire and rim options for you to consider. If you prefer this size, you will need a custom frame and fork at this time.
This bike was built for a 7 foot tall rider with 750D wheels
32er Bike Wheels
If you’re looking for more responsive braking and handling than a 36er, and the proportional aesthetics of a larger wheel, the 32er bike wheel size is a great option. This wheel size has more strength and is stiffer than a 36er, yet it weighs less than the 36er bike wheel size. Its proportional aesthetics are perfect for riders between 6’6” and 7’4″, and they fit into hitch-mounted bike racks much better. The thicker and shorter side walls provide exceptional durability and maneuverability.
32ers are great for commuting and recreational riding on pavement, gravel roads, and light trails. However, they are not the best option for technical mountain biking or long-distance, performance road riding or racing.
This is the Clydesdale BFG with 32 inch wheels
36er Bike Wheels
For bike riders 7’4″ or taller, 36ers provide better proportional aesthetics than 32ers do for bicycle wheel size for height. They have more strength and are heavier than 32ers, but they have more flex. Because of the larger diameter, this wheel size is less stiff, and you can expect slower acceleration to go along with less responsive steering. That’s not ideal for long-distance performance road racing or technical mountain biking. However, 36ers will give you faster cruising speeds, and they are great for recreational riding on light trails, gravel roads, and pavement.
With 36ers, you have two tire options compared to just one for the 32er. If you plan to transport your bike, the 36er does not fit well into bike racks, so you need to consider different transport options.
Our Recommendations For Riders 6’5″ to 7’4″
At Zinn Cycles, we are passionate about ensuring every customer gets the right bicycle wheel size for height that meets their desired cycling style. With that understanding, here are our recommendations for the different types of biking.
- For road and gravel cycling aimed at good performance, longer distances, and greater efficiency, we recommend 700c (28-inch) wheels. We like 750D for riders that are 6’8″ or taller.
- For mountain biking on singletrack with any technical trail features such as rocks, roots, ledges, and tight switchbacks, we recommend a 29er or 29 plus (30-inch) wheel.
- For commuting, recreational riding, bike paths, casual trails, gravel roads, and shorter distance fitness rides, we recommend 32-inch wheels for 6’5” to 7’4” riders or 36-inch for riders over 7’4″.
As you can see, we are dedicated to a customized approach to cycling for big and tall cyclists. We love what we do, and we’ve been building bicycle wheel sizes for height for riders of all sizes for over 40 years. Our company was established in 1982 by Lennard Zinn, and at 6’6″ tall, he understands what tall riders need to perform at their best. Professional and amateur cyclists from around the globe trust Zinn Cycles for custom bike designs with high-quality fabrication and attention to detail. Call us at 303-499-4349 to speak to an expert, or request a quote today.
