Sounds to me like you are an XL. Some factors to be considered are bar width, stack height and your flexibility to name a few. When I was less flexible I actually rode mediums for years and loved them because I was crunched up like an old man. Now that I can reach comfortably both in the saddle and standing, larger bikes are much more comfortable. Not to mention the impact of proper technique to take advantage of my mobility. Since a little study and some great coaching I have a better stance on the bike which stretches me out.
Back to bars and stack, shorter bars can make a larger bike smaller as will a taller stack so you have some wiggle room if you find the bike too long at first. The other question is how aggressively you want to ride and how skilled you are. Josh Bryceland is a gangly 6'2" as I recall but he's so skilled that he prefers a smaller size. I like the ability to move fore and aft fairly aggressively without going ass over teakettle, which a longer reach affords, and Ratboy doesn't need.
My first longer bike was the XL Bronson and it blew me away. I felt like a (secular) born again mountain biker. I've gotten to the point where I'm quite comfortable going down hill on bikes well over 500mm, like the XL Kona Honzo ESD I rode for awhile. Funny how this is the year of getting the wrong sizes due to communication breakdowns.
There are a few questions you'll have to ask yourself, but right now I'm of the mind that you want to ride the largest frame you can handle comfortably. Good luck!
Dec. 15, 2020, 10 p.m. - Cam McRae
Sounds to me like you are an XL. Some factors to be considered are bar width, stack height and your flexibility to name a few. When I was less flexible I actually rode mediums for years and loved them because I was crunched up like an old man. Now that I can reach comfortably both in the saddle and standing, larger bikes are much more comfortable. Not to mention the impact of proper technique to take advantage of my mobility. Since a little study and some great coaching I have a better stance on the bike which stretches me out. Back to bars and stack, shorter bars can make a larger bike smaller as will a taller stack so you have some wiggle room if you find the bike too long at first. The other question is how aggressively you want to ride and how skilled you are. Josh Bryceland is a gangly 6'2" as I recall but he's so skilled that he prefers a smaller size. I like the ability to move fore and aft fairly aggressively without going ass over teakettle, which a longer reach affords, and Ratboy doesn't need. My first longer bike was the XL Bronson and it blew me away. I felt like a (secular) born again mountain biker. I've gotten to the point where I'm quite comfortable going down hill on bikes well over 500mm, like the XL Kona Honzo ESD I rode for awhile. Funny how this is the year of getting the wrong sizes due to communication breakdowns. There are a few questions you'll have to ask yourself, but right now I'm of the mind that you want to ride the largest frame you can handle comfortably. Good luck!