Beginner (193 cm) looking for complete road bike - stack advice & recommendation

[tjuul]

Hi everyone,

I'm a somewhat beginner when it comes to road cycling and I'm looking for some advice on buying my first road bike.

I'm based in Europe and I'm finding it really hard to justify buying an aluminium bike locally when I can see what's available through AliExpress for the same money. That said, I have zero experience building bikes myself, so I've been focusing on complete bikes rather than framesets.

The problem is that on a budget, the options for complete bikes are limited, and to make things worse, I don't really know my own fit numbers (reach, stack, etc.). I'm 193 cm tall. My only real-world cycling experience is on my dad's old road bike (size 56, which is way too small for me) and on an indoor bike.

From my research I've seen a lot of people recommend a stack of 600+ for taller riders, but I'm seeing some conflicting info. For example, SAVA lists one of their bikes with a stack of 568.5 mm and claims it fits riders over 190 cm. Is that realistic for someone my size, or would that put me in too aggressive/stretched-out a position?

I should also mention that I'm not looking for an aero riding position at all, I'd much prefer something more upright and endurance-oriented, prioritising comfort over performance.

So my questions are:
1. Is a stack of ~568 mm actually workable for a 193 cm rider, or should I hold out for something with a higher stack?
2. Do any of you have recommendations for complete bikes, models, or sellers on AliExpress/Alibaba that would suit a tall beginner looking for an endurance geometry?

Any help is hugely appreciated

Thanks in advance

[Chiyou]

Ideally, you'd get a bike fit before investing in a new bicycle; if you don't have a local fitter, possibly an online tool such as MyVeloFit is sufficient to give you at least ballpark numbers.

Lacking a fit, see what some of the major manufacturers recommend. Canyon for example suggests size XL for their Endurance CF 7 frame for someone your height (see attachment). Consulting the geometry chart, this frame (in size XL) has a 637mm stack and 405mm reach.

It's similar for other manufacturers: Specialized Roubaix size 61 - 630mm stack, 397mm reach; Giant Defy size XL - 615mm stack, 402mm reach.

To answer your first question, definitely look for a 610+mm stack frame (unless you have specific fit numbers). To partially answer your second question, the AliExpress experience is very much the opposite of what you are looking for. It offers gazillions of individual components rather than fully-assembled bicycles. It targets the meaty section of the bell curve rather than the very tall and the very short. It caters to the race/competition crowd much more so than to the endurance folks.

If you want to continue down the Chinese route, you may have more luck with a gravel bike since their geometry is generally more akin to an endurance bike. I'd take a look at TanTan/Seraph; this isn't an endorsement as such but maybe it serves as a reference point against which to compare other vendors.

Example 1,  based on TanTan GR206 frame: https://tantanbikes.com/13-Speed-Full-Bike-Disc-Gravel-Bike-GR206-Wheeltop-Gex-Groupset-Single-Speed-Di2-Complete-Bicycle-Aluminum-Wheelset-700X40C-Tire-p6885384.html
Size L - 620mm stack but also long reach (422mm - you may want to specify a shorter stem)

Example 2,  based on TanTan GR208 frame: https://tantanbikes.com/GR208-Disc-Gravel-Complete-Bike-WheelTop-EDS-113S-Groupset-p6908001.html
Size XL - 607mm stack (on the short end)

Caveat emptor: to (hopefully) find a configuration you like, you need to carefully sift through their full catalog and hunt for the groupset/wheels/color you want, or maybe talk to them directly.
https://tantanbikes.com/Full-Bike-c202763/

[Pedaldancer]

Compete bike ordered from China to Europe will come with Anti Dumping Tax ..48%
That has to be put on the bike value AND the shipping cost.
Additionally common taxes must be paid.

Frames are not taxed with 48%... just saying.
Having no idea about the correct fit, buying a complete bike in China..I don't want to be pessimistic, but there is a really high possibility that this won't end up well.  Especially if it's about budget. If the bike won't fit, the budget was burned down for the wrong bike.

Currently in Europe I'd guess Cube has the highest value/€
I mean if Cube is available in your spot. Also Canyon is an option. Or a used bike in good condition. Later when you know what you need, you can still import a customized frame...

[ownthesky]

Do you have Decathlon in your region? Their Van Rysel bikes are really high value and you’ll at least have some basic after sales support. Buying a complete bike from China with zero experience setting up a bike isn’t impossible, but it’s a poor choice.

[tjuul]

Do you have Decathlon in your region? Their Van Rysel bikes are really high value and you’ll at least have some basic after sales support. Buying a complete bike from China with zero experience setting up a bike isn’t impossible, but it’s a poor choice.

I dont, sadly.

[tjuul]

Compete bike ordered from China to Europe will come with Anti Dumping Tax ..48%
That has to be put on the bike value AND the shipping cost.
Additionally common taxes must be paid.

Frames are not taxed with 48%... just saying.
Having no idea about the correct fit, buying a complete bike in China..I don't want to be pessimistic, but there is a really high possibility that this won't end up well.  Especially if it's about budget. If the bike won't fit, the budget was burned down for the wrong bike.

Currently in Europe I'd guess Cube has the highest value/€
I mean if Cube is available in your spot. Also Canyon is an option. Or a used bike in good condition. Later when you know what you need, you can still import a customized frame...

To my understanding, Aliexpress sellers like TanTan/Seraph ships tax free. But I totally get your point. I have been looking at the cheaper Cube and Trek models, but comparing to an Aliexpress bike, it just seemed as if i got way more value that way. But thank you.

[tjuul]

Ideally, you'd get a bike fit before investing in a new bicycle; if you don't have a local fitter, possibly an online tool such as MyVeloFit is sufficient to give you at least ballpark numbers.

Lacking a fit, see what some of the major manufacturers recommend. Canyon for example suggests size XL for their Endurance CF 7 frame for someone your height (see attachment). Consulting the geometry chart, this frame (in size XL) has a 637mm stack and 405mm reach.

It's similar for other manufacturers: Specialized Roubaix size 61 - 630mm stack, 397mm reach; Giant Defy size XL - 615mm stack, 402mm reach.

To answer your first question, definitely look for a 610+mm stack frame (unless you have specific fit numbers). To partially answer your second question, the AliExpress experience is very much the opposite of what you are looking for. It offers gazillions of individual components rather than fully-assembled bicycles. It targets the meaty section of the bell curve rather than the very tall and the very short. It caters to the race/competition crowd much more so than to the endurance folks.

If you want to continue down the Chinese route, you may have more luck with a gravel bike since their geometry is generally more akin to an endurance bike. I'd take a look at TanTan/Seraph; this isn't an endorsement as such but maybe it serves as a reference point against which to compare other vendors.

Example 1,  based on TanTan GR206 frame: https://tantanbikes.com/13-Speed-Full-Bike-Disc-Gravel-Bike-GR206-Wheeltop-Gex-Groupset-Single-Speed-Di2-Complete-Bicycle-Aluminum-Wheelset-700X40C-Tire-p6885384.html
Size L - 620mm stack but also long reach (422mm - you may want to specify a shorter stem)

Example 2,  based on TanTan GR208 frame: https://tantanbikes.com/GR208-Disc-Gravel-Complete-Bike-WheelTop-EDS-113S-Groupset-p6908001.html
Size XL - 607mm stack (on the short end)

Caveat emptor: to (hopefully) find a configuration you like, you need to carefully sift through their full catalog and hunt for the groupset/wheels/color you want, or maybe talk to them directly.
https://tantanbikes.com/Full-Bike-c202763/

Thank you very much for this informative answer! I will try and do some more research. Do you think that it is possible to do a gravel frame but road wheels etc. from TanTan (as example)? And does a gravel frame perform that different from a road frame?

[juhhh]

Obviously all normal caveats about uniqueness of body proportions etc apply however I can tell you at 191 I've ridden 56x mm stack bikes with long ass stems in the pursuit of aero and can wholeheartedly tell you its too low. IMHO, just find a nice used 60cm supersix evo for pennies locally and work from there. Chinese geos can be pretty wacky at this end of the bell curve.

[bichler.bua]

For reference, I am 1,95m tall with 96cm inseam.
Came to this wonderful forum for my Velobuild VB-R-099 build some years ago.

In regards to your stack height topic: of course this depends on quite some factors, riding preference, torso length, flexibility, etc.
Over the years I refined my bike fit, but would not go below 600 stack today (at least not significantly) while I am targeting around 620 for me these days.

Posted this on other similar threads, already:
https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,7056.msg106451.html#msg106451
Frames you could look at are Yishun R068-D / Hongfu FM238 / Lightcarbon LCR018-D / Carbonda CFR-505 SL

Sourcing frames and building bikes requires knowledge and experience, especially true for Chinese frames as not everything is always perfect and support comes from far.
Maybe worth considering a European brand such as Canyon or Cube, both have high stack options for tall people.
Or investigating the second hand market?

[BikerJens]

Ideally, you'd get a bike fit before investing in a new bicycle; if you don't have a local fitter, possibly an online tool such as MyVeloFit is sufficient to give you at least ballpark numbers.

Lacking a fit, see what some of the major manufacturers recommend. Canyon for example suggests size XL for their Endurance CF 7 frame for someone your height (see attachment). Consulting the geometry chart, this frame (in size XL) has a 637mm stack and 405mm reach.

It's similar for other manufacturers: Specialized Roubaix size 61 - 630mm stack, 397mm reach; Giant Defy size XL - 615mm stack, 402mm reach.

To answer your first question, definitely look for a 610+mm stack frame (unless you have specific fit numbers). To partially answer your second question, the AliExpress experience is very much the opposite of what you are looking for. It offers gazillions of individual components rather than fully-assembled bicycles. It targets the meaty section of the bell curve rather than the very tall and the very short. It caters to the race/competition crowd much more so than to the endurance folks.

If you want to continue down the Chinese route, you may have more luck with a gravel bike since their geometry is generally more akin to an endurance bike. I'd take a look at TanTan/Seraph; this isn't an endorsement as such but maybe it serves as a reference point against which to compare other vendors.

Example 1,  based on TanTan GR206 frame: https://tantanbikes.com/13-Speed-Full-Bike-Disc-Gravel-Bike-GR206-Wheeltop-Gex-Groupset-Single-Speed-Di2-Complete-Bicycle-Aluminum-Wheelset-700X40C-Tire-p6885384.html
Size L - 620mm stack but also long reach (422mm - you may want to specify a shorter stem)

Example 2,  based on TanTan GR208 frame: https://tantanbikes.com/GR208-Disc-Gravel-Complete-Bike-WheelTop-EDS-113S-Groupset-p6908001.html
Size XL - 607mm stack (on the short end)

Caveat emptor: to (hopefully) find a configuration you like, you need to carefully sift through their full catalog and hunt for the groupset/wheels/color you want, or maybe talk to them directly.
https://tantanbikes.com/Full-Bike-c202763/

I'm 200 cm tall, on a bike (Merida Reacto) with a 593 stack. It fits me perfectly.

But that somehow underline one of your points, it's not just about height. It's also about proportion, flexibility etc. I've never had a bike fit, but worked my way to something that I feel great on through different bikes, stems and adjustments.

I just also want to pinpoint that a 610 stack is not always needed if you're over 190 cm.

[Chiyou]

Do you think that it is possible to do a gravel frame but road wheels etc. from TanTan (as example)?

Looking at these specific examples, you can easily keep those wheels and just swap the tires (I wouldn't go lower than 30mm tire width though). The other component that's somewhat gravel-specific is the flared handlebar but there is no reason you can't use those for regular road riding.

You certainly can't lose by asking about customization; however, it's quite possible that they'll decline if they have a warehouse full of pre-assembled bikes that they want to get out of the door or if it's difficult for them to keep track of individualized orders.

And does a gravel frame perform that different from a road frame?

I don't think it matters unless you ride in a competitive group setting or otherwise are trying to keep up with other riders where speed and handling come into play.

[Chiyou]

I just also want to pinpoint that a 610 stack is not always needed if you're over 190 cm.

I can't argue with that but I also want to reiterate the OP's preference for "something more upright and endurance-oriented".

[Takiyaki]

I would def invest in a pro bike fit, any decent one should have a rig

Anthropometry means your height could lead to a wide range of configs for a comfortable fit. Im 175cm with long arms and for me a comfy fit is relatively long and low.

[hubba]

Inseam and arm length affect how much stack you need. With long legs your saddle will be high and you need more stack to not have too much saddle to bar drop. But long arms might compensate that.
I'm 186cm with almost 95cm inseam and 197cm wingspan. I need 600+ stack  but I can live with 590 if I use riser bars but my position is quite aggressive with 11cm of saddle to bar drop.

If I had short arms bike fit would be even more challenging.

[serenadebikes]

I’d suggest stopping by a local bike shop to get a feel for the frame sizing first—that will help you decide on the right brand. If you buy from AliExpress, we can handle the customs duties for you so it's delivered straight to your home. Just a heads-up: your order will usually come in two parcels, as we pack the frame and the wheels separately.