Peter Cook is a monster of a man so it's only right he has a monster bike to ride.
The Taupo-based architect and athlete recently had Kiwibikes owner Jeff Anderson custom-build him a mountainbike to fit his 201cm-tall frame.
It's cost him about $4500 but Mr Cook says it's well worththe expense.
"In riding a standard size bike, I've always had to crank the seat right up but then the handlebars are too low."
That meant his body weight was positioned too far back, making riding his bike downhill very unstable.
"I just wasn't getting the most out of my riding," he said.
Mr Anderson measured him up for a new bike using 29-inch wheels and special 29-inch suspension forks.
Bikes usually come with 26-inch fittings.
The bike was also fitted with longer cranks for more efficient pedalling.
Mr Anderson, who has been building bikes for 25 years, spent 30 hours working on the bike.
It was the largest bike he has yet built.
"It's only been possible to build large mountainbikes in the past two years because before then you couldn't get 29-inch mountainbike tyres in New Zealand."
In testing out his new bike, Mr Cook said pushing the pedals immediately felt easier.
"It's a more natural feeling ... I'm not so hunched over now."
A keen multi-sporter, he plans to make good use of his new bike on the popular mountainbiking trails near Taupo's Craters of the Moon.
