It can be very frustrating for tall people to shop around for a bicycle but couldn't find one that fits their requirements. Most bike manufacturers stick to the bell curve and typically max out at XL frame sizes. When it comes to bike options, tall people like you cannot buy bikes "off the rack." 

Fortunately, this past decade, your online options have dramatically improved. But even if you have more options to choose from, there are also other factors that you must consider. This article can be your guide to get the best mountain bike for tall riders. 

What to look out for when getting the best mountain bike for tall riders

Because of your height, it might be a challenge to find the perfect mountain bike in bike shops. When you go online to find the bike of your dreams, consider the following factors to help you make the best selection:

Bike Frame and Height

Before you start worrying about other features of a mountain bike, whether they would match your height, you must make sure first that the bike frame is the right size. Take some measurements before making a final decision to purchase.

Manufacturers take a lot of considerations when they make bicycles in particular sizes. This is the reason why they create charts that match certain heights to a specific bike size. Before purchasing a bike, determine your height then try to search for a bike chart - there are many online. This helps you identify the mountain bike that's compatible with you in terms of height.

Crank Length

Even if you can find a proportionally-sized bike frame, this might not hold true for the crank length. Bikes - regardless of their size - have nearly identical crank-lengths and that is around 175mm. As a tall cyclist, you won't mind this. You can still pedal around but if you're looking for performance, you might need proportional cranks too.

To help you understand the importance of crank length, consider this analogy. For a tall basketball player, he wouldn't have to bend his knees so much when jumping. Likewise, cranks must allow your knees and hips to move through a range of motion that's similar no matter what your stature is.

The main issue with a longer crank is that it might require a slightly different geometry for the frame and this includes a higher brace at the bottom to prevent clipping the pedal on the ground. Today, there are bikes designed specifically around cranks that are 200mm in length.

Handlebar, Stem, and Inseam

Bikes that have handlebars that are too low might pose a problem for tall riders as you might struggle to control their bikes. This problem can lead to stress on your back and shoulders and this, of course, isn't healthy. You can remedy this by using an angled stem and spacers if you can't find a bicycle with the right stem length and handlebar height.

In biking, the inseam refers to the distance between the top of your thigh and your ankle. The measurement of this determines the length of your legs. 

As a tall person, you shouldn't purchase a mountain bike that's either too low or too high for your legs. If you do, you might suffer from cramping in your thighs each time you go cycling. Always take your inseam measurement into consideration.

Wheels and Frame Material

There are several reasons why the scale of the wheel should be in proportion with the frame, the most obvious of which is that it gives a smoother ride to people with a greater mass. It is most likely that taller people weigh heavier than those with an average height. 

Thus, you should give special attention to stiffness and frame strength. Titanium and steel frames have an advantage over those made of aluminum because they won't wear down as long as the stress remains under a particular limit.

#1. Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike

The frame of the Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike will make each of your trips, either on undulating or straight surfaces, exhilarating by converting pedal power into amazing acceleration. Its ATB saddle as a quick alloy release and a mechanism for height adjustment that's easy to work with.

This bike was specifically designed with a handlebar that is slightly raised to relieve strain on your shoulders and back. As such, it enables you to ride in an upright position. The bike's front suspension makes riding much smoother as it absorbs the bumps you will encounter on uneven tracks. 

Together with the knobby tires and the detachable Derailleur Guard, you're guaranteed a quality machine that can tackle declines, inclines, and straights effortlessly.

#2. Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike

With the Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike, you can rip through trails or zoom downhills. This is a full-suspension bike that's just waiting for a cyclist to take it out for a ride. The bike features a dual-suspension frame made of aluminum with a sturdy suspension fork and dependable mechanical brakes. The bike handles smoothly and stopping is always efficient and crisp.

Every trail now becomes your new playground with the bike's trigger shifters, rear Derailleur, and the alloy crank. Bumps and thumps get absorbed by the frame and fork to give you powerful riding experience. 

With this bike, durability is still highlighted and this is highly due to the high-profile alloy rims with dual walls and the thick, knobby tires designed to take the hardest beating.

#3. Diamondback Bicycles Release 3 Mountain Bike

The Diamondback Bicycles Release 3 is a full-suspension model that performs well for riding on trails. The lightweight frame made of aluminum makes going up hills much easier and descending them at incredible speeds infinitely more exciting. The frame is also perfectly built for attaching a camera mount if needed.

One of the best things about buying this bike is that it's delivered almost completely assembled. As for the price, it's significantly cheaper than other high-end performance bicycles while still offering almost every feature that more expensive bikes offer. The Diamondback is truly an overall winner for mountain bike enthusiasts, especially for tall riders.

#4. Raleigh Bicycles Tokul 1

The Raleigh Tokul 1 mountain bike will be an excellent choice for you and others who are 6'4" and over. It comes from Raleigh - a name in bikes that has been around for more than 100 years, thus, making the company the authority on the subject of bikes. Although this is a lightweight bike, it's also a tough one, especially in terms of rocky climbs, jumps, and trail drops. 

Yet it can be as easy and smooth to handle. This playful bike has a sturdy aluminum frame that is significantly sleeker and longer than its predecessor. All of these features add up to a bike that can hold its own and can let you open the throttle during weekend trails.

#5. Max4out 26-inch Mountain Bike

The Max4out 26-inch Mountain Bike has a folding frame designed for easy portability and storage. It has 21-Speed shifters, a rear Derailleur, and a dual-suspension system to reduce impact for smooth riding experience. The 21-speeds can handle hilly terrains and changing gears is both smooth and awesome. 

The pull brakes are of alloy and they provide precision in terms of stopping power. The wheels have alloy rims to provide you with lightweight strength on all terrains. These are much safer and provide more speed. The wide and knobby tires that sit on light but tough alloy wheels provide added stability. This bike is perfect for different environments.

Why do you need a mountain bike for tall riders?

Manufacturers today have started catering to bikers like you who are extraordinarily tall. There are certain factors to consider to make your riding experience more comfortable. For one, you have to make adjustments on the bike like the crank, the handlebars, the stem, and other components. 

Your comfort and riding position are the most common factors that revolve around the frame size of the bicycle. The first thing that comes to mind is to get the right saddle height. Ideally, the best position would allow a slight bend on your knees when your legs are extended fully at the bottom of the pedal stroke. 

A saddle that is too low will find you struggling to get all of the power out of your legs. Conversely, a saddle that is too high will cause your hips to rock from side to side while pedaling. Both situations aren't efficient and worse, might cause injuries.

The importance of comfort isn't absolute but it can be particularly important depending on the cycling discipline you're interested in. But comfort will still play a large role in how much you enjoy the experience of riding.

What may happen if you choose the wrong bike size?

Bike fit isn't, as the saying goes, exactly a rocket science. This means that it doesn't need expensive equipment nor a group of experts to do it. If you need some advice before buying a bike, you can always consult with an expert but that isn't necessary. 

This makes more sense if you already are a competitive cyclist as you would know that with a new bike, performance matters. Of course, it's better to select a bike with the correct size so that you won't experience any issues in the future.

With a frame that's too small, you can make adjustments to accommodate your height. You can elevate the seat post, move the saddle, lengthen the stem, and so on. Keep in mind that when you ride a bike that has been poorly adjusted, you're at risk of getting injured. 

For instance, a saddle that is too high might cause hyperextension of your knee, pain in the back of your knee, and even saddle sores caused by "rocking" on your bike's saddle. On the other hand, a saddle that is too low can cause knee hyperflexion and pain in your kneecap area. Both these situations aren't ideal as they will make you lose your overall efficiency.

The bottom line

It may take a lot of effort to find the best mountain bike for a tall person such as yourself. For one, these "oversized" bikes are rarely found in bicycle shops. As a tall person who's interested in cycling, you need to do your research. Even if you find a large bike, you still have to narrow down your options to the best bike that will suit your requirements.

Study your options carefully to ensure that everything - from the rims to the frame - will accommodate your height. The right frame enables you to handle rough terrain and at the same time, give you peace of mind.

#1. Schwinn Bonafide Mens Mountain Bike

The Schwinn Bonafide Mens Mountain Bike high-profile rims are of alloy and huge tires. It's a hardtail mountain bike that's specially designed for trains. The rims are lightweight but durable just like the frame. This bike has a strong front suspension fork, allowing you to glide across trails and move faster than everyone else.

The mechanical disc brakes at the front and rear of the Schwinn Bonafide Mens Mountain Bike provide you with crisp stopping power. It also has durable cranks to provide steady gearing along with less maintenance. With all of these features and more, you can even use this bike for bumpier terrain.

#2. Diamondback Bicycles Release Full Suspension Mountain Bike

The Diamondback Bicycles Release Full Suspension Mountain Bike is a beautiful bike that comes in a number of contemporary colors: red, green, matte sand, and raw carbon matte. It has a full hydro-forged frame made of aluminum and it comes in different sizes. This bike even offers a very efficient rear suspension.

The hydraulic disc system of this bike ensures your safety on the front and rear wheels. The Diamondback Bicycles Release Full Suspension Mountain Bike's KS LEV Si dropper post includes a southpaw remote to improve your maneuverability, especially while you go downhill. With this bike, you will enjoy easy shifting and superior performance all the way.

#3. Mongoose Dolomite Mens Fat Tire Mountain Bike

The Mongoose Dolomite Mens Fat Tire Mountain Bike allows you to ride safely with its disc brakes on the front and back. It also allows you to ride comfortably thanks to the beach cruiser pedals. This bike has a rear derailleur with 7 different speeds making it easy to climb uphill

The twist shifters make it easy and smooth for you to change gears while you ride. With the Mongoose Dolomite Mens Fat Tire Mountain Bike, you can conquer off-road trails easily, especially since it has big, knobby tires suitable for different kinds of terrain. The alloy rims add to the overall performance and speed without weighing you down.

#4. Redline Bikes MX BMX Race Bike

The Redline Bikes MX BMX Race Bike has a pivotal race saddle that enables you to utilize different angles while you ride. This makes it easy for you to do wheelies, twists, turns, and other tricks. It even has an easy to adjust seatpost, which isn't common on other types of bikes with BMX seats. 

The bike features 3-piece tubular crankset made of durable Chromalloy steel. This makes the bike very sturdy. It comes with an integrated headset for smoother and more controlled steering. The Redline Bikes MX BMX Race Bike comes from a well-known brand in the industry so you can expect greatness from it.

What should you consider before buying a bicycle for wheelies?

By now, you already should already know what the best bike for wheelies is. But before you make the final decision for purchase, here are some more considerations for you:

The Material of the Frame

Today's mountain-bike frames are of different types of metals. Some are of steel, while others of aluminum, carbon, or titanium. If you're a new wheelie convert, you may want to take a spin on these different types to test your preference. The most common materials used for bike frames are as follows:

Aluminum

Most mountain bikes today are of this material as it's a transcendent metal for this kind of bike. The frame is highly durable, lightweight, affordable, and has a wonderful appearance.

Steel

The best thing about this frame is that it's the most affordable material. It is the most traditional metal used in bikes. A steel frame offers sound lightness, durability, superior riding experience, and is a lot easier to repair.

Titanium and Carbon

If you're looking for a "beast bike" and you have a big budget, then the titanium or carbon bike might be the best choice.  Either of these will cost you more. Bike frames made of carbon are corrosion-resistant, super lightweight, and have superior absorption of vibration. For titanium frames, they're similar to steel and aluminum frames. These frames are very comfortable, rust-resistant, and scratch-resistant.

Efficient Gears

To use your bike for wheelies, choose one with gears that can transfer power most efficiently to the rear wheel to perform smooth wheelies. Moreover, bikes that don't have gears on the front can be a good feature for wheelies as this results in a front that's lighter, making wheelies easier.

Type of Bike

When looking for a wheelie bike, consider the terrain you usually ride on. For most parts, road bikes are for pavements while mountain bikes are for rugged terrain. Hybrid and specialty bikes perform best on pavements. Here are the different types of bikes you should consider:

• Road Bikes: These bikes are a great choice for wheelies because they're super lightweight and easy to use. 
• Cyclocross Bikes: These bikes are lightweight, durable, and perfect for performing wheelies because they're easy to handle even in different conditions and on rough terrain.
• Endurance Bikes: These bikes are of high-quality materials and you can use them for different tricks. Since you can ride this bike with your head up, it makes the bike perfect for wheelies. 
• Mountain Bikes: Because of their superior braking system and shock absorbers, these bikes are absolutely perfect for doing wheelies too.

How Do You Do a Wheelie on a Bike?

You can do a wheelie by lifting the front half of your bike using the handlebars and using only the rear wheels for moving forward. This might sound simple, but it will take a lot of practice. If you're planning to learn this trick, here are the reps to do it:

• Start your bike at a steady and smooth pace. Make sure the road is both wide and flat enough, without any obstacles.
• Bend down your upper body. This shifts most of your weight over the bike's handlebars. Don't let go!
• Pedal down to move faster. When you feel confident with your balance, use the handlebars to lift your bike's front wheels.
• Lean back without letting go of the handlebars. Keep pedaling, but you may slow down a bit.

Verdict

After reading this article, you can now decide what type of bicycle will best suit you to perform wheelies. Always keep in mind that bike riding should be a fun experience. You can learn a few tricks and stunts along the way and one of these is a wheelie. For both neophytes and professionals, any of the bikes here can potentially be the best bicycle for wheelies. Get yourself the perfect bike and amp up your game!

Tektro and Shimano brakes are types of hydraulic disk brakes often used in bikes. They have different functioning compared to disk, rim, and drum brakes. They adjust themselves without manual input when wearing down. You quickly adjust both pads because they retract.

They both function as disk brakes with opposed pistons on both sides of the rotor. This is key in increasing the production of braking power. It enables you to stop with ease on any terrain. This 2-piston brake system conducts its lever operations, ensuring an easy control when braking is accompanied by unmatched dissipation of heat.

Tektro brakes offer quality performance, making them last long on your bike. Advanced mechanisms and a lot of precision are the methods used in designing it. The components used to create it include titanium, carbon, and aluminum. These materials are lightweight, making the whole system portable.

Shimano brakes offer consistency in performance on the road. They enhance the good feeling of riding a bike to cyclists. They are a perfect choice for all-weather cyclists. This is because they can resist adverse weather conditions.

Which brakes are better between Tektro and Shimano?

Both these brakes use levers at the bar and ways of braking to stop the wheel from turning. They are both powerful because they use the incompressible fluid in the hose to influence the braking level. 

Both offer great at offering good control of the bike, making you predict how to come to a stop. This is one more reason you cannot place either of them above the other when comparing their functioning.

You can use either of them during cold and wet seasons and you will not have to worry about the weather affecting the braking power. They compensate wearing out of pads, enabling you to only change the braking fluid and get new pads, which ultimately means saving in terms of cost and time.

Their rotors offer effective braking power depending on the level of impact. They come in various sizes, from big ones to small ones. Despite the larger ones offering much power, they make it harder to apply to stop force smoothly. Getting the right rotors that are compatible with your hubs ensures you have a perfect braking system.

Compatibility of Tektro brakes and Shimano to bikes

Road, gravel, hybrid, and cyclocross are other bicycle types with either the Tektro or Shimano braking system. They use a rotor made from metal connected to the hub instead of the rim’s braking surface. 

This enables them to avoid wear and tear with an added advantage of the material used to make it being lightweight. This ensures you maneuver with the disc-rims on the bike over any terrain.

They use a braking fluid that shifts the production of heat stimulated by friction between the rotors whenever you brake. This makes them offer greater power, enabling you to predict its effect on lengthy descents. 

They have pistons in brake calipers meant to create contact with brake discs of a bike. These pistons come as a pair, but to increase efficiency, you must think of getting two pairs. 

Conclusion

A good braking system is crucial in ensuring you come to a safe halt on a bicycle. Hydraulic braking systems offer greater power as opposed to their mechanical counterparts. That is why Tektro and Shimano brakes have great power in braking in equal measures. Always make sure to check up on any bleeding from the system to keep you safe on the road.

As a cyclist, you may want to learn how to perform simple maintenance procedures. One such procedure is the removal of snap rings. Replacing or removing snap rings can be very difficult, especially without the right tools. 

Most snap rings need the use of a snap ring pliers. With this, you simply grip the ring with the two tiny holes at both ends of the clip. But what happens if you own have a snap ring pliers? Worry not, as there are alternative methods you can try.

Use a pair of punches

When you need to remove a snap ring but you discover that you don't own a snap ring pliers, try this method. It might need some practice, but it should work. Here are the steps:

You may want to know more about the best road tires for mountain bike here

Use a needle nose pliers

An easier method is to use a pair of needle nose pliers. Although this doesn't look exactly like a snap ring pliers, it could work as well depending on the size of your snap ring. 

If you have a needle nose pliers at home and you don't mind making adjustments to it, grind the pliers' tips down to make the "fingers" that you insert into the holes of your bike's snap ring. 

This entails some effort and the end product might not be as effective as a real snap ring pliers - but it is completely doable. If you're looking for a pair of needle nose pliers for this task, here are some other excellent options for you:

1. Klein Tools J207-8CR Needle Nose Pliers

Klein Tools J207-8CR Needle Nose Pliers is one of the most versatile, durable, and comfortable needle nose pliers making it a top pick among craftsmen. It's more than just a pair of pliers as it possesses features that you can use to complete many tasks associated with a needle nose pliers like crimping and stripping wires. They are less of a standard tool but more multi-tool.

This model is strongly built but with special grips for comfort. You can use it with tough jobs even in the dirtiest conditions. You can even use this needle node pliers for repairing jewelry and removing snap rings.

Things we liked:

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2. Stanley Long Nose Pliers

The Stanley Long Nose Pliers has an 8-inch MaxSteel long nose and a cutter. It's used for bending and grasping small objects, and for cutting. It has an extra-slim design for the head that's perfect for accessing hard-to-reach spaces. Additionally, it features machined jaws for a slip-resistant grip. 

The pliers' bilateral grip also offers added comfort. This pair of pliers has induction-hardened cutting edges and a forged construction from high-carbon steel giving it extra durability. This pliers reduces your cutting effort by as much as 45% and increases edge life by up to 33%.

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3. Dykes Needle Nose Pliers

Because of its long and tempered jaws, the Dykes Needle Nose Pliers is ideal for working on tiny objects, bending wires, and working in tight spaces. The tapered nose has fine tips making it perfect for various tasks - even for snap ring removals.

It has a carbon-steel construction that provides long life and durability. The handles are plastic-dipped allowing for added comfort during use. It even has a leaf spring-loaded design making the tool easier to use.

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If you're planning to use a needle nose pliers, don't forget to place a rag underneath the piston first so that when you drop the circlip, it won't go into the crankcase. With the needle nose pliers, you can twist the clip just enough until one end gets into the groove. 

Then use your fingers and a small, flat screwdriver to finish the job. Finally, place a rag on top of the bore. Make sure that you work in a clean area in case the clip doesn't cooperate. Sometimes, it might even fly across the room!

Why should you learn alternative maintenance skills for your bike?

It's always recommended for cyclists to learn something about your transport, especially the most basic maintenance procedures. This comes in handy when something happens along the road and there is no help in sight. 

It's not enough to just know how to ride your bike. You should also know how to maintain it, whether for repairs or just to keep it in top shape. Here are the reasons why DIY maintenance on your bike is essential:

• It saves you money 
• It allows you to practice essential skills and learn more about your bike
• It improves your confidence in terms of fixing parts of your bike. 
• It can be part of your cycling hobby.