Why is bike frame size important

Not on the "average" person, though. Even your flexibility can mean a change in frame size. A more flexible Sign up or log in Sign up using Google.

Sign up using Facebook. Sign up using Email and Password. Post as a guest Name. Email Required, but never shown. Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile. Linked 3. Related 4. Hot Network Questions. Question feed. If you learn your size and stay within a brand, you'll be okay. Mountain bikes are a bit different. They also come in S, M, and L sizes, but differing brands are often very close to one another.

Okay, now onto bike fitting. Bike Frame Standover Height Standover height refers to how tall the bike is in relation to your inseam, and the clearance in between. Road bikes : For a road bike with a top tube that is parallel with the ground, one inch of clearance is fine. If you have a full-suspension bike that utilizes a Y-frame, you are probably not going to be able to figure out its standover height, although there are some exceptions.

Hybrid bikes : Hybrids are a bit different. If the bike is more of a commuter road-style bike, use the same guidelines as a road bike.

It just takes a few seconds:. Stand against a wall with your cycling shoes on if applicable. This is your inseam. Effective Top Tube Length. Bike Saddle Height Getting your bike saddle to the perfect height ensures that you get the most out of your pedaling, while also avoiding lower body issues over time.

Positioning Ride your bicycle for a few pedals while seated, and check the positioning of your leg. Positioning The best way to tell if you have the saddle in the right position to to check the positioning of your foot as you pedal, in relation to where your knee rests above it. Adjusting You can make slight adjustments by loosening the saddle binder bolt, and then sliding the saddle forward or backward as needed.

Stem The stem is what connects the handlebar to the top of the fork. Kids Bikes Kids bikes follow the same guidelines mentioned earlier, right down to the standover height. Conclusion Now you know what to look for when shopping for a new bike that is fitted to your size. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Find your bike size measurements Knowing your size and measurements is an integral part of choosing the correct bike frame size, yet many cyclists are not aware of how to take their measurements correctly. Use a book to mimic your bike seat by placing it between your legs, against the wall. Have a helper measure the distance from the top of the book where your crotch is to the floor.

Understand how bikes sizes are measured Bicycles are measured by the length of the seat tube, from the centre of the bottom bracket to the seat tube. Use a bicycle frame size chart to find your size The two charts below will give you a good idea of your ideal bicycle size. Road bike sizing chart: Mountain bike sizing chart: These charts will give you a good grasp of what your correct frame size is.

Make sure it feels right Although it is important to know your frame size and body measurements, make sure you apply some common sense before buying a new bike. Other factors are also important The frame size is not the only factor in finding the right bike size. Why we always recommend a professional bike fit Having your bike fitted to your personal measurements and body quirks is essential to your comfort on the bike and an important part of injury prevention. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.

You can't go off the listed frame size any more. Here's how to avoid getting it wrong Bad news: mountain bike frame size is all over the place. There is no consistency. Ultimately you do not have a foolproof frame size. Not one that tallies with what bike brands say, nor one that is consistent from bike to bike.

This means shopping for a bike is not simple, particularly if browsing online beforehand. It is not a good idea to select just one frame size and filter the results by that; select the frame size the brand recommends and also the size above. The thing to bare in mind when going up a frame size his to make sure there is sufficient standover clearance. The internet is only useful if you know where to start. The problem is that bikes have always been sized by the length of their seat tubes.

The modern move away from frame sizes being listed in numbers of inches has been an improvement.