Standard-sized bikes can feel cramped and uncomfortable to taller riders making long rides less enjoyable. Therefore, mountain bikes with the right frame size, geometry, and components are very crucial.
The best mountain bikes for tall guys are the Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike and the Hiland Full Suspension Mountain Bike. The Schwinn Traxion features a high-performance suspension fork and 2.25-inch knobby mountain tires. The Hiland bike has a high carbon steel soft tail frame and is available in 3 color options.
In this article, I shall explore the top mountain bikes for taller riders with extended frame sizes offering comfort and top-notch performance.
Best Mountain Bicycles for Tall Riders
- Schwinn Protocol 1.0 Mountain Bike
- Hiland Full Suspension Mens Mountain Bike
- Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike (Top Pick)
- Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike
Compare Top Mountain Bikes For Tall Riders
| Product | Overall Score | Bottom Line | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Schwinn Protocol 1.0 Mountain Bike | 78 | Available in three colors | Check Out On Amazon |
 Hiland Full Suspension Mountain Bike | 82 | Has a high carbon steel soft tail frame | Check Out On Amazon |
 Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike | 84 |  Features rear mechanical disc brakes | Check Out On Amazon |
 Huffy Stone Hardtail Mountain Bike | 80 | Features a front suspension fork | Check Out On Amazon |
Detailed Analysis of the Best Mountain Bikes for Tall Riders
Compared to regular bikes, it’s safe to say that there aren’t a lot of mountain bikes for tall guys specifically.
But, the options that are available are exceptional at catering to this particular demographic of the mountain biking community.
This allows you to navigate those rugged ravine floors and steep hills with grace and power. Read on to find out our selection of the best mountain bikes for tall riders.
1. Schwinn Protocol 1.0 Mountain Bike
Overall Score: 78
Good quality mountain bikes let the good times roll in the great outdoors. As such, they can withstand even the harshest of conditions and make steep hills look nothing more than speed bumps.
Protocol 1.0 is the perfect example of such a bicycle.
It comes with 24-speed Shimano EZ-Fire Shifters, a Shimano Altus Derailleur at the rear, and smooth shifting courtesy of how the bike is engineered on the whole.
The great thing about this bicycle is that it handles steep inclines really well and at different speeds too. Plus, you can rest assured that it will handle your weight with relative ease.
This is even if you’re on the heaver set side of tall, which most tall guys weigh a substantial amount anyway.
This is thanks, in part, to this bike’s aluminum suspension frame which offers impressive shock absorption abilities while keeping your bike nice and lightweight.
The front suspension fork is also super and makes for a nice addition to an already kitted out bike so that you won’t feel any of the shocks that come from overcoming bumps along the way.
Advantages
- It’s easy to assemble.
- Constructed from a durable and lightweight full aluminum suspension frame.
- You’re able to shift gears effortlessly thanks to the Shimano EX-Fire trigger.
- It has a great design.
- Available in three colors.
Disadvantages
- This bike doesn’t come with a water bottle mount.
- It’s on the pricey side.
2. Hiland Full Suspension Mens Mountain Bike
Overall Score: 82
Here we have Hiland Full Suspension Mens Mountain Bike that absolutely deserves to be on the list of the best mountain bike for big guys.
Why? Because it’s a full-suspension mountain bike with 2.8-inch wide tires and superb grip.
This is the type of bike that you want if you plan on riding through mountain trails because it offers excellent control on rugged terrain, thanks to the double walled rims.
Another feature worth noting on this bike is its high carbon steel soft tail frame that has better strength, stability, and toughness, which can better absorb vibration
In addition, soft tail ensures that the tires are fully gripped to maintain control on the descent.
Plus, you’ll enjoy fantastic end-to-end adjustment courtesy of the fork which makes it that much easier for you to customize the bike to your needs.
Suffice to say, this bicycle is perfect for the weekend warrior as well as the avid handyman because you can tinker around with it.
Advantages
- It has incredibly wide tires.
- This is a full suspension model that can handle any type of weather condition.
- Perfect for beginners.
- You can choose from three colors.
Disadvantages
- It’s not as lightweight as the other mountain bike models on this list.
3. Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike
Overall Score: 84
This particular mountain bike for tall man is known as the Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike which is a full suspension creation that’s perfect for trail riding.
The frame is constructed from lightweight aluminum that weighs only 30 pounds. This makes it stealthy and easy to handle whether you’re climbing uphill or navigating rugged trails.
It’s not only lightweight but it comes with a convenient camera mount so you can capture the beauty of nature on the go.
The only downside to this bike is that it’s rather pricey, but it makes up for that with the fact that it comes 80% assembled for your convenience so that all you have to do is get on it and start pedaling!
Plus, it’s relatively affordable considering that it offers the same level of construction and performance as high-end mountain bikes.
That’s what makes the Schwinn Traxion one of the best mountain bikes for tall riders in our opinion.
Advantages
- It is equipped with 24 speed shifters and front and rear derailleurs.
- Features rear mechanical disc brakes, delivering crisp and reliable performance.
- It comes with a full suspension, high-performance suspension fork.
- Has 2.25-inch wide knobby mountain tires.
Disadvantages
- It’s on the pricey side.
4. Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike
Overall Score: 80
Huffy makes the best mountain bike for 6’4 man thanks to their centuries of experience. After all, the brand has been around since the 1800s and is a well-known brand name in the world of mountain biking.
The hardtail mountain bike from Huffy is 26 inches of hi-ten steel hardtail frame. It can handle the rigors of the road, including the hills and valleys that come with navigating a mountain or any outdoor terrain.
You can adjust the height of the saddle thanks to the quick alloy release feature and the ATB saddle itself is decent but not as durable as expected.
It makes up for this by having a slight-rise handlebar which has been included with tall riders in mind.
This is because it makes it easier to ride in an upright position in order to keep the pressure off of your back and shoulders.
The bike also features a front suspension fork that makes for a smooth ride no matter where the road takes you.
Advantages
- It’s constructed from a durable and sturdy steel frame.
- Made with comfortable Kraton grips.
- The resin pedals offer a responsive kick.
- Features dependable steel linear pull handbrakes which provide superb stopping power.
- Kickstand included.
Disadvantages
- It might be difficult to assemble this bike at first.
- There have been complaints that the seat is a wee bit small.
How to Choose the Best Mountain Bicycle for Tall Riders
When looking for mountain bikes for larger riders it can be tough to figure out exactly what to look for.
What sets these bikes apart from a regular bicycle and what can you do to improve your chances of choosing a bike that’s not only built for taller riders but comes with fantastic features as well.
We recommend you consider the following to help find the perfect bike to cater to your needs as someone with a taller frame and maybe ever-heavier weight.
Material
Just look at any BMI chart and you’ll see that the taller you are the heavier you’re likely to be.
That’s why we made sure to only feature bikes that can handle a lot of weight.
This requires durable construction from durable materials like steel or the more lightweight titanium, which is pricier but worth it.
You can also check out my article on the best mountain bikes for big guys built for heavy-set riders with heavy-duty materials that are durable yet lightweight enough for easy handling.
Height
Any bike manufacturer worth their sorts should have a chart that specifies the dimensions and measurements of their bike models and how they correspond to people of different heights and weights.
That’s why it’s important to know your height before you start looking for a new bike. Then go online to find a bike that coincides with that based on the provided manufacturer chart.
For example, bikes that are 23 inches or larger are usually recommended for cyclists who are 6’4” or taller.
This means that a 21” bike would suffice for anyone who’s below this height. So, height is very important when it comes to determining your specific bike size.
Frame
As with any bicycle, you should consider the bike frame, what it’s made from and its dimensions. You want a bike frame that’s going to make your rides more comfortable.
Bike frames come in all types of different sizes, from small to medium, large to double extra-large. For best results, be sure to measure your dimensions to make sure that you get a bicycle that matches them.
Check out my article on how to measure a mountain bike frame so that you’re confident that you’re using the right bike.
Handlebar
A common issue among tall bike riders is struggling with low handlebars that make it difficult to assume to correct posture, thus leading to shoulder and neck strain.
That’s why it’s important to make sure that your bike is of the right stem length and handlebar height. Otherwise, you’ll need an angled stem and spacers to correct the issue.
Inseam
The inseam is the part that’s between the top of your thigh and your ankle and it determines the length of your legs.
Ideally, you want a bike that’s not too short or high for your legs as a misalignment in this regard can lead to leg cramps.
That’s why you should consider inseam measurement before you buy a bicycle.
Crank
If you want to make sure that every pedal enables you to power through effectively on those steep hills, then you should consider the right crank length as that will facilitate the correct movement of your hips and knees.
Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy a full range of motion. So, it’s worth it to look for bikes with longer crank length.
Feel free to check out my article on the best track crankset to avoid risking a low-standard crankset or one that doesn’t fit your bike.
Types of Mountain Bikes for Tall People
Read on to find out the best types of mountain bikes available out there for tall cyclists:
Downhill Mountain Bikes
As the name implies, downhill mountain bikes work great for tall cyclists who plan on going through difficult and undulating pathways and trails. As such, they’re made with mountain bikers in mind.
It’s worth noting that these bikes come with full suspension already built-in and they offer superb balance thanks to specially designed rims and tires.
This type of bike is perfect for anyone that wants to experience an epic mountain biking adventure of a lifetime without being held back by their equipment.
Full Suspension Mountain Bikes
Full suspension mountain bikes for big and tall guys are great because they are powerful and will enable you to plow through some of the most difficult trails out there, including downhill flowing terrains.
If you want to take your mountain biking experience to the next level, then we highly recommend a full-suspension mountain bicycle.
Cross-Country Tall Mountain Bike
Cross-country mountain bikes are probably the most well-known type of outdoor bike and also the most ideal for tall riders. This is because they are very precise especially when navigating through tight spots.
These popular bikes are lightweight and so easier to use, especially if you like going fast in different types of challenging terrain.
Freeride Mountain Bikes
Freeride mountain bikes are also great for tall cyclists because they work for difficult terrain and applications such as dirt jumping.
This makes them some of the most versatile bikes known to man and you’ll find that climbing trails on this bike is just as easy as riding downhill.
It’s thanks to their full suspension design which helps to absorb the shock of going through the hills and valleys of mountain biking and they’re also easy to handle, owing to their lightweight construction.
Hardtail vs. Full Suspension Mountain Bikes
It’s in your best interests to get a bike with an XL frame which means that you’re going to end up with a heavier bike than usual.
This is especially when you consider the level of suspension that these bikes require. Hardtail bikes typically come recommended for cyclists who care about bike weight.
It’s certainly a more accessible solution when compared to a full suspension bike with rear shocks, or the prospect of having to install your own rear shocks.
Not only that, but a full-suspension bike doesn’t have much to offer you if you’re still a beginner so unless you’re a seasoned biker who’s planning to navigate through difficult terrain then you should stick to regular bikes.
However, full-suspension bikes are still worth it for those who want to start mountain biking seriously.
A Longer Top Tube Ensures That There Is Enough Space Between the Handlebars and the Seat, Improving Maneuverability and Comfort…
Well, there you have it! Those are the best mountain bikes for tall riders.
We hope that you’ve found value in this guide and that it will make it that much easier for you to find a mountain bike that meets your unique needs.
At least now you know what to look for and what the best options are out there.
If we were to pick just one though, it would be the Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike.
This comes as no surprise as this unisex mountain bike for larger riders makes lightwork of steep inclines while enabling you to handle different speed levels with ease and grace.
No matter how tall you are, you’ll still be able to execute expert tricks on this bicycle thanks to its shock absorbent aluminum suspension frame, and the best part is that this lightweight wonder is super easy to assemble.