Advice for tall rider

jspencer said:

I'm 6'4 with quite a naturally powerful frame. Theoretically, what are the advantages and disadvantages of this in a road race? What areas, again theoretically, am I likely to excell in? Any help greatly appreciated as I'm only 21 and joining my first cycling club. 😕

Thanks.

I'm 6'5" and am relatively new to cycling as well. Tall people like us are generally not as good at climbing (because of the extra weight) and sprinting (though there are exceptions, like Boonen). Having big legs can be good for prolonged power over flats and the extra weight of being tall converts into fast descents.

George Hincapie - 6'3" 183 pounds
Magnus Backstedt - 6'4" 198 pounds
Jens Voit - 6'3" 170 pounds
Gert Steegmans - 6'3" 181 pounds
Axel Merckx - 6'3" 161 pounds
Vladimir Karpets - 6'3" 174 pounds
Tom Boonen - 6'4" 176 pounds
Coyot Arnaud - 6'5" 168 pounds
Bradley Wiggins - 6'3" 163 pounds
David Millar - 6'3" 170 pounds
Christian Knees - 6'4" 179 pounds

RickF said:

George Hincapie - 6'3" 183 pounds
Magnus Backstedt - 6'4" 198 pounds
Jens Voit - 6'3" 170 pounds
Gert Steegmans - 6'3" 181 pounds
Axel Merckx - 6'3" 161 pounds
Vladimir Karpets - 6'3" 174 pounds
Tom Boonen - 6'4" 176 pounds
Coyot Arnaud - 6'5" 168 pounds
Bradley Wiggins - 6'3" 163 pounds
David Millar - 6'3" 170 pounds
Christian Knees - 6'4" 179 pounds

You just made my day 😄