After seeing Code 4130's Boss PrimeTime and remembering how llllooonnnggg those were. What's the longest top tube that has ever been made on a production 20" frame? I remember Terry Tenette's MCS frame being incredibly long too.

I think this is an awesome topic but should be expanded. I think a list of longest production top tube, longest custom frame for the pro's and longest wheelbase as well. I also remember Steve Veltman running a very long top tube even though he wasn't that super tall.

From the threaded period.

Longest Top tube I think is the TNT Longfellow xxl. The Mcs xxl and the Cyclecraft xlx both are shorter than the TNT to my knowledge. I do still own my Cyclecraft and my TNT. So get out your tape measures

Longest wheelbase I think is the Reynold Racing. Was it called the 42 model? To my knowledge the RR was longer than the Cyclecraft made Block frame.

Riders ready whatch the lights.

Nbl 49a

The TT on the PrimeTime is only 21.5" and the wheel base in that pic is 38.625"can go to about 39.25". The bike feels a mile long compaired to my .38 Special, with a 21.25"tt. I have a '93 Boss BadBoy proXL with a TT of 20.5"

I thought FreeAgent made a frame called the Limo BITD with about a 22"tt. That might be one of the longest.

Well, this is a tough question to answer because seat tube angle can have an effect on the overall length of the bike. A bike can have a long top tube and still be short...

I have a HH racing Phat Jawn with a 22" TT.


Doug

Rich,

Yes and no. Actually the seat tube angle does not affect the overall length of the bike just the size of what some people call the cockpit which is the length from the cranks to the handlebar area.

This is why I said lets expand this to wheel base as well.

The Reynold Racing 42 had a 42" wheel base to my knowledge. That was how it got its name.

The Limo was really only an xl not an xxl I am almost possitive it is only 21" long.

I will measure my frames and post up what I got when I get a chance.

Nbl 49a

Keep it coming guys. Some of these are really starting to jog my memory. The Holmes was fairly long in it's day, right? I mean, not as long as Mandingo ... oh, wait, wrong Holmes ...

Ok I got the tape measure out.

Holmes 1" threaded- top tube length 21" Long rear end.

Cycle Craft xlx 1" threaded- top tube length 21.25" Average rear end length.

Cycle Craft Block xlx 1" threaded- top tube length 21.5" I have to double confirm the measurement with someone. I am not sure on the head tube but it has an extremely long rear end.

Tnt Long Fellow 1" threaded- top tube length 22". Steep head tube like 74 ish and like a 71 degree seat tube with a shorter rear for the time.

Wheelbase out of these I am sure will be the Block. Anyone have a Reynolds 42?

Nbl 49a

There's someone in Phoenix on CL selling a Reynolds McMantus 42 f/f for $200 if anyone is interested. It looks like it has never been built

I had a Reynolds Fresh40 way back when they first came out. It was too big for me and it flexed like crazy the rear triangle moved around so much it felt like the tire was almost flat. They changed them a little after that.

Tnt Long Fellow, so is that the longest factory tt we can find? I bet there is something out there bigger, maybe we are over looking something. I dont remember.

Omart I have seen it listed. Where are you in Phx?

Correction the Block frame is measuring out at 21.25. Chain stay from center of bb to back edge of the dop out is 17"'s a full inch longer than the CC xlx

Nbl 49a

I have a Bully Piston Race Stretch frame with a 22" and a Hawk XXL with a 22" top tube.

Someone on Ebay was selling a Supercross Moto Monster with a 22.25" TT

But I can't find any info on the Supercross site.

In the late 90's Pro Concept made a 'XXX L' for Aussie pro racer John Smart. I'm pretty sure that was 22.5' TT. The dude was like 6'6".

b.

Westside, in Litchfield Park. Most people have never, heard of the LP so you could call it between Goodyear and Luke AFB (Glendale) or Sun City jr.

I know where it is. My Dad is ex Air force so my parents hit up Luke often when they live here for half of the year.

Nbl 49a

Cool. They torn down my decent jumps out here. I'm going to look for or build new ones. Where do your folks stay when they migrate (snowbirds, lol)?

Fountain Hills Az and Monroe New York near West Point.

Nbl 49a

My God parents migrate between Gig Harbor, WA and Fountain Hills too. Pete likes being close to the Mayo Clinic. Where abouts are you in 'da Valley of the Sunstroke?

alloy Quads are 21.75"

DINGO

The new dialled bikes Pro XXL frame has a 22" top tube.

I didn't get many made though as I don't expect to sell many of that size.

What kind of wheelbase are we talking?

I live in Scottsdale.

Nbl 49a
Happily pimpin a 22" top tube or larger since 1991

I have a Reynolds wrap 42 sitting in my office at work. I will measure the top tube tomorrow and post it.

I know of TWO atherton frames locally with 23" top tubes. Justin Wheat rides one. John Myers rides the other.

my block is 21.5 and you're correct about the rear end-j

Oh, and I don`t think the limo was even that long. I had one. It was the longest of it`s time, but I don`t recall it being 21". I do not know for sure so I can`t say it wasn`t, but I`m thinking 20.5" when it was introduced. `86ish.

My reynolds 42's top tube is 22 1/4 inches. MCS had a Terry Tennette model that had an even longer wheel base than the reynolds 42" didnt it?

Jax, if you get a chance post a pic of that monster! I have a vhs somewhere with Barry M pulling everyone on that thing I think it was 92 xmas classic. Also you mentioned Terry, anyone else remember Terry pulling up for the jump out of the second turn at south park on a super long framed bike, I couldnt believe he got his front wheel up and over and was able to stay low over that thing. Also I think he had something tied to his forks, not sure what it was....

Looks like I'm a bit late for this thread, but there is something i"m dying to know: If I stand 6'5" tall, will a Longfellow be too small for me? I am just getting back into the sport after 15 years away (I was at the 1992 Christmas Classic, by the way) and I recently rebuilt my TNT Longfellow I purchased when I actually worked at the factory in Linden, NJ back in 1993.
These bikes were billed as the biggest of the big, and indeed they were (so it seemed). I LOVED the frame because all TNT's used the same rear end tubes, giving the Longfellow's rear end the same dimensions as the Pro sized frames, believe it or not. It was quick out of the gate for a huge bike and it suited my ride style.
I have grown about 3" since then, and it seems a bit small now. I want to stay away from cruisers and stick with my 20". What are my options? Can I stick with my TNT?

Nautique is that your white Block on Museum?

Celtic,

I also have the same love for my Longfellow. It is and was an incredible bike. The quality of the welds and chroming were some of the best out there. Mine was a touch large for me at 6 ft 1 with a Dk xxl invert on it but it was a speed jumping machine!!!

If you are going vintage there really isn't anything that is bigger. Going to a xxl stem and experimenting with bar height may help a lot if you haven't tried it already. Your only option is a new school bike with a 22.5 or a 23" tube.

Nbl 49a

yeah nbl 49a that is my block on the museum.

could this s&m maddog/holmes be the longest?

i never saw this! this is hilarious!

I have one of the Limo's out of the first batch Free Agent did, and the top tube is 21" center to center.

Nobody mentioned the 90's aluminum SE Racing Quadangle.
21.5 top tube. 2" down tube.
Long light bike.

Pro Concept made a production XXXL that was a 22 inch TT.
UFO made some frames that were over 22.
BREW had a XXXL that was 22.2
FBM made a few *itchin' Camaro's with a 22.
Avent has a Pro XXXL in 22.
Crupi XXL claims a 22.75 TT, that is currently on their website.

I have seen Jonny Chopper makes frame with 23" top tubes. I am not sure if that's a custom job or not.

When I first read this thread I was thinking about this S&M ad. A total spoof on the TNT frame and frames of that time. Classic Moeller.
The reason behind this ad I'm assuming is that before the 90's there was just 'the frame' that the particular company made... A BMX frame ... then in the 90's everything was Pro, Pro XL, Pro XXL, and so on due to the demand of larger/taller riders. It's still like that, but leave it to S&M to make fun of the new trends of the time. Glad to see they are sill doing this sort of thing.

That's true. My Atherton custom frame has a 22.75 TT, and it was built to the same geometry as the one Boyd built for Justin. The chainstays are 16.5 right in the middle of the (Surly) dropouts. This is by far the longest (and nicest) bike I have ever seen. I'm around 6'4", and it still feels like it fits me after I get off my road or mountain bike..

"Front End Length" makes more sense than measuring the top tube on a bmx bike.