Making sure you choose the correct frame size is of paramount importance when buying a new bike. The correct fitting bike will be more comfortable, more efficient and more fun to ride.
How are bike frames measured?
Bike sizes are based on the length of the seat tube. Most manufacturers measure from the center of the crank axle - bottom bracket - to the center of the seat tube where it joins the top tube.
Manufacturers quote sizes in different ways, some quote the size in centimeters, some in inches and some as a frame size (such as Small, Medium, Large, etc).
Although the size of frames are based on the measurement of the seat tube, it’s not just the seat tube that changes depending on the size – the entire frame changes in proportion to the frame size.
Matching you to the right size bike – what’s your height?
In order to accurately match the correct frame to your height it’s essential you measure your height accurately.
To best measure your height, stand against a wall with your shoes off. Keep your legs together and your shoulders back. Carefully place a pencil on top of your head and mark the wall – for best results get a helper to mark the wall for you. Then measure the mark on the wall with a tape measure.
If your height is on the cusp of the range your reach is often the deciding factor in which size to go for. To find out if you have a short or long reach measure your Ape Index (your arm span minus your height) – if you have a positive ape index then go for the larger size, if you have a negative ape index go for the smaller size.
Stand over height
Stand over height is the clearance between the top of the top tube (also known as a cross bar) and the bottom of your crotch. It’s important that you have adequate clearance in this area to avoid contact when you’re stopped and astride the bike. For road and hybrid bikes 1 to 2 inches of clearance is required, mountain bikes require 2 to 4 inches.
The sizes recommend in our sizing charts take stand over height into consideration. So if you’ve got a close to average inside leg measurement our recommendations will be fine. If you have a short or long inside leg measurement in relation to your height i recommend you send in a mail or call me at 9894083316 and i will help you out.
What type of bike and what type of riding?
Different types of bikes are sized in different ways. A 58cm road bike will be quite a different size to a 58cm time trial bike – so it’s important you look at the sizing chart for the type of bike that you are purchasing.
Road, triathlon and time-trial bikes are the most important to size correctly. The reach can determine feel and the frame size required, stand over height is not as important.
The type or style of riding that you do will also affect which size you need. For example a mountain biker that wants to ride more aggressively and would like a more maneuverable bike may prefer a size smaller than they would normally take. Likewise a cross country racer that is looking for a flatter and speedier mountain bike may prefer a size larger than they would normally take. Basically there is no right or wrong when it comes to size – choosing the right bike does come down to personal preference and what you feel is comfortable and right for the riding that you do.
The type or style of riding that you do will also affect which size you need. For example a mountain biker that wants to ride more aggressively and would like a more maneuverable bike may prefer a size smaller than they would normally take. Likewise a cross country racer that is looking for a flatter and speedier mountain bike may prefer a size larger than they would normally take. Basically there is no right or wrong when it comes to size – choosing the right bike does come down to personal preference and what you feel is comfortable and right for the riding that you do.
Remember the sizing charts will provide accurate advice for the majority of cyclists, but for the best sizing advice i always recommend visiting one of our stores where you can physically try the bikes in the flesh or contact me by sending in a mail or call me @ 9894083316, i will be delighted to discuss your individual sizing requirements.
Mountain bike sizing chart (hardtail & full suspension)
Rider Height | Frame Size Suggested | ||
Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Inches | Size |
4' 10" - 5' 2" | 148 - 158 | 13 - 14 | XS |
5' 2" - 5 '6" | 158 - 168 | 15 - 16 | S |
5' '6" - 5' 10" | 168 - 178 | 17 - 18 | M |
5' 10" - 6' 1" | 178 - 185 | 19 - 20 | L |
6' 1" - 6' 4" | 185 - 193 | 21 - 22 | XL |
6 '4" - 6' 6" | 193 - 198 | 23 - 24 | XXL |
Women's mountain bike sizing chart (hardtail & full suspension)
Rider Height | Frame Size Suggested | ||
Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Inches | Size |
4' 10" - 5' 2" | 148 - 158 | 13 - 14 | XS |
5' 2" - 5 '6" | 158 - 168 | 15 - 16 | S |
5' 6" - 5' 10" | 168 - 178 | 17 - 18 | M |
5' 10" - 6' 1" | 178 - 185 | 19+ | L |
Road bike sizing chart
Rider Height | Frame Size Suggested | ||
Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Centimetres | Size |
4' 10" - 5 '0" | 148 - 152 | 47 - 48 | XXS |
5' 0 "- 5' 3" | 152 - 160 | 49 - 50 | XS |
5' 3" - 5' 6" | 160 - 168 | 51 - 52 - 53 | S |
5 6" - 5' 9" | 168 - 175 | 54 - 55 | M |
5' 9" - 6' 0" | 175 - 183 | 56 - 57 - 58 | L |
6' 0" - 6' 3" | 183 - 191 | 58 - 59 - 60 | XL |
6' 3" - 6' 6" | 191 - 198 | 61 - 62 - 63 | XXL |
Women's road bike sizing chart
Rider Height | Frame Size Suggested | ||
Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Centimetres | Size |
4' 10" - 5' 1" | 147 - 155 | 44 - 45 - 46 | XXS |
5' 1" - 5' 3" | 155 - 160 | 47 - 48 - 49 | XS |
5' 3" - 5' 5" | 160 - 165 | 50 - 51 - 52 | S |
5' 5" - 5' 8" | 165 - 172 | 53 - 54 - 55 | M |
5' 8" - 5' 10" | 172 - 180 | 56 - 57 | L |
Hybrid bike sizing chart
Rider Height | Frame Size Suggested | |||
Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Inches | Size | Centimetres |
4' 10" - 5' 1" | 147 - 155 | 13 - 14 | XS | 47 - 49 |
5' 1" - 5' 5" | 155 - 165 | 15 - 16 | S | 50 - 52 |
5' 5" - 5' 9" | 165 - 175 | 17 - 18 | M | 53 - 54 |
5' 9" - 6' 0" | 175 - 183 | 19 -20 | L | 55 - 57 |
6' 0" - 6' 3" | 183 - 191 | 21 - 22 | XL | 58 - 61 |
6' 3" - 6' 6" | 191 - 198 | 23 - 25 | XXL | 61 - 63 |
Triathlon and Time Trial bike sizing chart
Rider Height | Frame Size Suggested | ||
Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Centimetres | Size |
5' 0" - 5' 3" | 152 - 160 | 49 - 50 | XS |
5' 3" - 5' 6" | 160 - 168 | 51 - 52 | S |
5' 6" - 5' 9" | 168 - 175 | 53 -54 | M |
5' 9" - 6' 0" | 175 - 183 | 55 - 56 | L |
6' 0" - 6' 3" | 183 - 191 | 57 - 58 | XL |
6' 3" - 6' 6" | 191 - 198 | 60 - 61 | XXL |
BMX bike sizing chart
Rider Age or Height | Wheel Size Suggested | ||
Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Age | Inches |
3' 7" - 4' 0" | 110 - 122 | 5 - 7 years | 16 |
4' 0" - 4' 10" | 122 - 147 | 7 - 11 years | 18 |
4' 10" - 6' 4" | 147 - 193 | 11+ years | 20 |
Children's bike sizing chart
Rider Age or Height | Size Suggested | ||
Age | Feet and Inches | Centimetres | |
2 - 5 years | 2' 10" - 3' 7" | 85 - 110 | Runner bikes |
2 - 4 years | 2' 10" - 3' 4" | 85 - 100 | 12 inch wheel diameter |
3 - 5 years | 3' 1" - 3' 7" | 95 - 110 | 14 inch wheel diameter |
5 - 7 years | 3' 7" - 4' 0" | 110 - 120 | 16 inch wheel diameter |
7 - 9 years | 4' 0" - 4' 5" | 120 - 135 | 20 inch wheel diameter |
9 - 11 years | 4' 5" - 4' 9" | 135 - 145 | 24 inch wheel diameter |
11+ years | 4' 9"+ | 145+ | 26 inch wheel diameter |
Trailer bike sizing chart
Rider Age or Height | Size Suggested | ||
Age | Feet and Inches | Centimetres | |
3 - 5 years | 3' 1" - 3' 7" | 95 - 110 | 20 inch wheel diameter |
5 - 9 years | 3' 7" - 4' 5" | 110 - 135 | 24 inch wheel diameter |
Please note
Trailers generally have a maximum cargo or combined child weight limit of 45 kilos (100 lbs). Not all trailers are designed to carry 2 passengers.
Hope you would now have the knowledge of how to pick up the correct sized bike for your particular ride.
Arif
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