Which size bike do i need

This, however, makes choosing your bike size increasingly important as you cannot try bikes for size as you can in store. This article will breakdown everything you need to know about bike size chart , then you can choose the perfect sized bike to spin your in the right direction.

Finding your ideal bike size is essential to both the comfort and enjoyment of your new bike. A bike too small or too big will place extra stress on your body in places such as your knees and back, increasing the likelihood of injury. The more information you have the better. If buying a bike in-store, trying the bike before you buy is the obvious option.

This will allow you to see if it is the right fit if it is comfortable and if you actually like the bike and can see yourself riding it. Buying in-store often means you can invest in a professional bike-fit, allowing for your sizing and dimensions to be measured up whilst being walked through the entire process. Measuring a classic road bike frame size is a relatively simple task. To measure:. Adult bike size is measured on both height and inseam size.

Inseam size is often regarded as more accurate measurement, however, it is useful to measure both and compare to receive the best fitting bike. A guide on how to measure both height and inseam length will be covered later in this post. Ensuring the right bike size for a child is essential. Not only does it provide comfort, but it also improves the safety of the bike itself. If possible, it is recommended to bring them into a local store and simply let them try out a variety of different bikes.

This will allow them to get a feel for what is right, comfortable and safe. With hands-on experts, the process is a lot easier, allowing the safety of your child to be put first.

If however, purchasing a bike online, it is recommended to measure the height of your child beforehand. This, therefore, means measuring the height of the child and matching it to the correct wheel diameter to ensure a perfect and safe fit, allowing you to rest easy. Be sure to invest in a quality helmet to go with the new bike, with an extensive range available you will be certain to find one which appeals to them. Picking the right bike frame size is ultimately down to personal preference.

With different kinds of bikes hosting different riding styles it is important to determine what kind of bike you are looking to purchase. Whether buying for a child or adult, there are various ways to measure bike-size without the need to go in store, these will be covered below. Depending on the kind of bike you ride or want to ride, will determine your size along with your riding style.

For example, mountain biking is a lot more aggressive than road biking and may require a smaller sized bike to make it more maneuverable through different terrains and obstacles, whereas a cross-country racing bike may be sized slightly larger to allow more speed to be generated.

Measuring bike frame size by height could never be easier. Simply stand up straight against a wall, shoes off, legs together, shoulders back whilst somebody marks with a pencil the top of your head.

Your height is used to match bike frame size along with inseam size. Inseam size will be discussed below. Inseam size is often regarded as one of the most important factors when choosing a frame size. Inseam is simply the measurement from the floor to the highest possible crotch position measured in cm. Measuring the inseam can be done relatively easily, requiring only 2 people and a book only taking a fraction of time. To begin:. Alternatively, if visiting a store and receiving a professional bike-fit this will be done for you.

This is recommended if you do not feel comfortable measuring the inseam or your bike fit size yourself. Below is a list of different bike size charts depending on the type of bike you are looking to purchase.

It is important to use the correct chart based on bike type and gender to ensure the perfect fit. Alternatively, skip ahead and use the bike size calculator to find the right size and type of bike for you. This will ensure a comfortable and optimal fit to enhance your cycling experience. Height cm. Super Light Frames. Compact geometry frames are characterised by a sloping top tube, shorter wheelbase and smaller rear triangle of the frame.

The result is more standover clearance than a traditional geometry frame and possibly a stiffer, more responsive ride. Giant introduced the compact frame shape with the launch of the TCR which stands for Total Compact Road , and compact or semi-compact designs are now ubiquitous across the latest road bikes. With the sloping top tube, expect to see an extra two to three inches of seatpost showing when compared to traditional bikes with a horizontal top tube.

Semi-compact geometry is similar to a compact with the only difference being that the sloping angle of the top tube is not as great, so the standover clearance is reduced and the effective top tube distance is slightly longer. The most important consideration to make as you decide which frame to go for is the effective top tube length: the distance from the head tube to the seatpost on a bike with a sloping top tube, or simply the length of the top tube on a road bike with traditional geometry.

Use the chart below for a rough guide on the frame size to go for. The next critical adjustment to make is setting the bar and saddle height. You may also want to adjust or change the stem length because that can also affect your reach — how far you are reaching forward to the handlebars — and also the handling and performance of the bike.

Many of these changes can be made in a good bike shop, though a bike fit is also worth its weight in gold if you really want to dial-in your position.

As part of a bike fitting session, bike fit experts will get you riding on a fixed trainer to check your bike position and ensure everything fits you perfectly. BikeRadar provides the world's best riding advice. We're here to help you get the most out of your time on the bike, whether you're a road rider, mountain biker, gravel rider, cycle commuter or anything in between.

You can expect the latest news and features, in-depth reviews from our expert team of testers, impartial buying advice, how-to tips and plenty more. Frame sizes can vary significantly from one manufacturer to another. Kids' bikes are measured by wheel size rather than frame size. Smaller wheeled bikes are lighter and easier to handle for smaller children, but will become cramped and difficult to ride as they grow.

Kids' bikes are available with wheel sizes ranging from 12 inch balance bikes up to 24 or 26 inch junior bikes. Road bike sizing is arguably more important than any other type of bicycle.

Almost all your time will be spent sat in the saddle of a road bike, so your riding position will not only contribute to your comfort, but also your performance. Road bike sizes are typically given in cm and are sized using a combination of your height and inside leg measurement. Road bike sizing will vary between different manufacturers so if you are unsure which size would be best suited to you, please feel free to call us on , or use our Live Help service.

Mountain bikes have smaller frames than road bikes, which allows the rider to move around more on the bike to help negotiate the challenging terrain. Compared to a road bike, your seating position on an MTB will be more upright, with your arms spaced wider apart and weight positioned further back. The tables above are intended as a general guide only. Your riding style and personal opinion can have an effect on your choice of bike size.

Our advisors have years of experience helping customers find their ideal bike size, so feel free to call us for advice on or chat to us via our Live Help service at the top of the page. Women's Clothing Women's cycling jerseys Women's cycling jackets Women's cycling shorts Women's cycling shoes. How-to Guides Adjusting your gears Adjusting your disc brakes Adjusting your V-brakes Fitting pedals to your bike Assembling a child's bike Tips Mountain bike maintenance Road bike maintenance Hybrid bike maintenance.