Having a bicycle that is properly adjusted to you can mean all the difference between a comfortable ride and an unpleasant one.
Maybe you are shopping online, and now you need to know how to get the bike that has the perfect size for you. Worry not, we have got you covered.
A bike is measured in a lot of different ways; wheel size and frame sizes are two common ways to measure that.
However, wheel size is pretty vague, and frame size measurement is much more accurate.
Getting the right size can sound complicated and daunting, but we are here to make it simple for you.
Once you buy a bike, you might be able to adjust a couple of things including seat height and handlebar, but you can’t adjust the frame. Hence, you gotta be sure about this.
Let’s get you introduced to the bike frame size chart so that you can become a pro at choosing the right one.
How to measure bike frame size? / what is bike frame size?
The frame size of a bike is supposed to give you an idea about the frame height of the bike.
The three lengths taken into consideration are the top tube to the seat tube to the head tube.
The standard measurement procedure for frame size followed by most is the measurement from the center of the crank axle to the top of the seat tube.
This length gives you an idea of the height of the frame size.
What these lengths tell you is how well a bike will fit you.
Two of the most important things that you got to know properly to determine the right frame size are inseam height and standover height.
What is the Standover height?
It’s basically the height of the bike.
It is the distance between the top tube of your bike and the ground.
What is inseam height?
Simply put – your inner leg measurement is referred to as inseam height. In other words – the height between the ground and your crotch.
Now, you might ask – how to measure inseam height?
Well, it’s quite easy.
Stand upright near a wall, be straight, be flat-footed, and spread your feet a few inches.
Next, put a hardcover book between your legs and press towards your crotch so that you can mark the wall using the extended part of the book.
Then simply measure the wall from the marked area to know your inseam height correctly.
Your inseam height should be 2.5cm to 5cm higher than the top tube (stand-over height) as a general rule.
What bike frame size do I need?
There are a few methods and charts you can take help from. Certain measurements are provided which renders to a specific sizing.
If your particular measurements are the same as the data provided then these methods and sizing charts are given below, then maybe these will be able to help you out.
Method 1:
This is pretty straightforward and very easy for anyone to calculate. You just have to know your height.
| Your height | Bike Frame Size Chart |
|---|---|
| 4’11” – 5’3″ | 13 – 15 inches |
| 5’3″ – 5’7″ | 15 – 16 inches |
| 5’7″ – 5’11” | 16 – 17 inches |
| 6’0″ – 6’2″ | 17 – 19 inches |
| 6’2″ – 6’4″ | 19 – 21 inches |
| 6’4″ and taller | 21+ inches |
Method 2:
Measure your inseam height according to the procedure we mentioned above and use this simple calculation.
Bike size calculator:
For road bikes: Leg inseam (cm) x 0,70 = Your frame size
For mountain bikes: Leg inseam (cm) x 0,66 = Your frame size
For hybrid or cruiser bikes: Leg inseam (cm) x 0,685 = Your frame size
Method 3 (bike size charts):
Look up these bike frame size charts to get a clear idea when choosing the right bike for you.
Note that – women have a smaller upper body and their bikes are made slightly different. Hence you might wanna clearly confirm the bike sizes until it’s a unisex bike.
Road bike frame size chart for WOMEN
| Height (cm) | Road bike size (cm) |
|---|---|
| 148 – 152 cm | 44 cm (XX small) |
| 152 – 160 cm | 48 cm (X small) |
| 160 – 168 cm | 51 cm (small) |
| 168-175 cm | 54 cm (medium) |
Road bike frame size chart for MEN
| Inside-leg (cm) | Height (cm) | Road bike size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 71 -75 cm | 152 – 160 cm | 48 cm (XX small) |
| 75 – 79 cm | 160 – 170 cm | 51 cm (small) |
| 79 – 83 cm | 170 – 174 cm | 54 cm (medium) |
| 83 – 85 cm | 174 – 180 cm | 56 cm (large) |
| 85 – 89 cm | 180 – 188 cm | 57 cm (X-large) |
| 89 – 92 cm | 188 – 195 cm | 60 cm (XX large) |
| 92 + cm | 195 + cm | 63 cm (XXX large) |
Mountain bike frame size chart for WOMEN
| Height (cm) | Mountain bike size (inches) |
|---|---|
| 148 – 158 cm | 13 – 14” |
| 158 – 168 cm | 15 – 16” |
| 168 – 178 cm | 17 – 18” |
| 178 – 185 cm | 19” + |
Mountain bike frame size chart for MEN
| Inside-leg (cm) | Height (cm) | Mountain bike size (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 71 -75 cm | 152 – 160 cm | 15” (X-small) |
| 75 – 79 cm | 160 – 170 cm | 16” (small) |
| 79 – 83 cm | 170 – 174 cm | 17” (medium) |
| 83 – 85 cm | 174 – 180 cm | 18” (medium) |
| 85 – 89 cm | 180 – 188 cm | 19” (large) |
| 89 – 92 cm | 188 – 195 cm | 20” (large) |
| 92 + cm | 195 + cm | 21” (X-large) |
Hybrid (city) bike frame size chart for WOMEN
| Height (cm) | Frame size (inch) |
|---|---|
| 148 – 158 cm | 13 – 14” ( X-Small ) |
| 158 – 168 cm | 15 – 16” ( Small ) |
| 168 – 178 cm | 17 – 18” ( Medium ) |
| 178 – 185 cm | 19” + ( Large ) |
Hybrid (city) bike frame size chart for MEN
| Height (cm) | Frame size (cm) | Hybrid frame size |
|---|---|---|
| 148 – 158 cm | 33 – 37 cm | X-Small |
| 158 – 168 cm | 38 – 42 cm | small |
| 168 – 178 cm | 43 – 47 cm | medium |
| 178 – 185 cm | 48 – 52 cm | Large |
| 185 – 193 cm | 53 – 57 cm | X-Large |
| 193 – 198 cm | 58 – 61 cm | XX-Large |
For those who still find it problematic to look up for a frame size from a table can have another revolutionary system.
There are online frame size calculators available.
All you have to do is choose the type of bike you want, put rider information, and click on the button that says “calculate”.
It is that simple. Here’s a popular bike calculator site
If you are buying from Amazon, remember that they have “Amazon bike fir guide”. You can even follow that if you want.
Most of the manufacturers will have a general sizing guide that you can easily access as you search for it or ask for it.
Conclusion
We humans don’t like to do things that are not comfortable.
Choosing the right bike size makes sure that your ride is comfortable and you get the optimum performance.
If you don’t get yourself the right fit, chances are, that bike is going to collect dust staying in a corner of your garage.
Hopefully, now you can get an amazing experience after choosing your bike using the bike frame size chart.
Happy riding.
