BIKE FIT: "What size bicycle do I need?"

Riding a bicycle, competitively or purely for fun and exercise, is a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness and build muscle tone and strength. However, if your bike has not been custom fit to your body size and type, then you are at high risk for injuries to your knees, groin, back and neck. Let us at Hart's Cyclery take you through the steps of finding the right size bike for your body and performance goals. Our bike fit center is set up to get you on the right size frame from the very start.

What size bicycle do I need?

Finding the right size bicycle for you will depend on the type of bike, your height, inseam length and physiology, and your style of riding. We can help you determine how you will be most comfortable by finding you the proper frame size and adjustments of the main components in contact with the cyclist's body:

• the handlebar and grips
• the saddle
• and the pedals

These 3 contact points between body and bicycle must be considered with particular care and satisfy the following standards:

• individuality (body mass, etc.)
• ergonomics/functionality (anatomy/health)
• differentiation (area of use, requirements)
• safety

Take a look at the bike frame size chart below to find the right sized road bike for you. Know your height and inseam measurements in order to match the size frame that will be most comfortable for you. Of the two measurements, height and inseam, inseam is more important.

 

Road Bike Sizing Guide

Road Bike Frame Size Chart
Height	Inseam Length	Bike Frame Size
4'10" - 5'1"	25.5" - 27"	46 - 48 cm
5'0" - 5'3"	26.5" - 28"	48 - 50 cm
5'2" - 5'5"	27.5" - 29"	50 - 52 cm
5'4" - 5'7"	28.5" - 30"	52 - 54 cm
5'6" - 5'9"	29.5" - 31"	54 - 56 cm
5'8" - 5'11"	30.5" - 32"	56 - 58 cm
5'10" - 6'1"	31.5" - 33"	58 - 60 cm
6'0" - 6'3"	32.5" - 34"	60 - 62 cm
6'2" - 6'5"	34.5" - 36"	62 - 64 cm

Now take a look at the bike frame size chart below to get an idea of the frame size right for you. You'll need to know your height and inseam measurement - inseam being the most important to follow the chart.

Mountain bikes are usually measured in frame size (inches), the distance from the center of the crank to the top of the frame at the seat tube.

Mountain Bike Sizing Guide

Mountain Bikes Frame Size Chart
Your Height	Your Inseam Length	Bike Frame Size
4'11" - 5'3"	25" - 27"	13 - 15 inches
5'3" - 5'7"	27" - 29"	15 to 17 inches
5'7" - 5'11"	29" - 31"	17 to 19 inches
5'11" - 6'2"	31" - 33"	19 to 21 inches
6'2" - 6'4"	33" - 35"	21 to 23 inches
6'4" and up	35" and up	23 inches and up

 

What else do I need to know to find the right bike fit after considering a Bike Frame size Chart? Let's think again about the three main components that come into contact with your body and how they should be positioned:

Handlebar and Grips: The position of the handlebars is very important to your comfort and safety.  The wrong angle can lead to back pain, shoulder strain or wrist soreness. On racing bikes, the general width of the handlebars is the same as your shoulders, and on mountain bikes, the handles are slightly wider than your shoulders.

Handlebars can also be placed at different heights. On road bikes handlebars are about an inch lower than the top of the saddle, but mountain bikes need a lower center of gravity for comfort and balance. Also ask for help in finding the minimum insertion mark so that your handlebars are fixed no higher than the insertion mark.

Saddle: While some cyclists may chose a saddle that is tilted slightly, you may want to try on that is level enough so that you don't slip forward or backward. You may need to make some adjustments as you ride to get the feel just right. Generally, the seat should be positioned so your feet will rest naturally above the pedals. You shouldn't have to move from side to side to reach the pedals.

Pedals: You want to make sure that your riding motion is smooth and efficient, and you can accomplish this with clipless pedals or toe clips. When you clip your feet in, each pull or push motion makes the bike propel forward more smoothly. Cage-like toe clips let you wear regular shoes, but make the pedaling motion more cumbersome.

Can I check all this myself? You really can't make an accurate fit by yourself - it's too hard to determine lengths and positions. At Hart's, we not only have an objective eye, we also have years of experience with many types of frames and bike components; and we keep up with the latest scientific and methods of fitting you for comfort, safety and performance. Next time someone asks "what size bicycle do I need?" remember to start by thinking of the frame.