Bike Sizes How Measured

Knowing how to measure bike sizes is critical. The two most important elements are getting your inseam length and knowing your height. Using one or both can help you find the right one.

Sitting on Bikes

Sit on the bike and position the pedal at the lowest level possible. Check if your legs are fully extended. Your feet must be able to make contact with the ground. Your toes have to at least touch the floor. Extended legs provide extra power and use less energy. This also keeps your knees from getting strained.

When pedaling the bike, check if your knees are parallel to the floor at the highest level. If the answer is yes, the bike is not big enough. The bike is too high if your feet do not touch the ground. Bear in mind that many bikes now have adjustable seats. Adjust them and see if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Your Height

When studying how to measure bike sizes, height cannot be ignored. Bike dimensions are either in centimeters or inches. As a rule of thumb, 16″ (40 cm) frames are adequate for 5′ to 5’8″ tall. If you are standing between 5’7″ to 6’1″, get an 18″ (45 cm) frame. If you are 5’7″ to 6’1″, a frame size of 20″ or 21″ (50-53 cm) is sufficient.

However, these are general guidelines. You need to assess your comfort level too. Builds are also factors; people with the same height have different physiques. Proportions also differ. You can make a more accurate measurement by figuring out your inseam length. Do this while standing up.

Notes on Bike Measurements

The frame dimensions measure the vertical seat tube. This is not the same as changing the seat height. When taking measurements, it will commence at the bracket’s bottom. It extends up to the seat tube’s top. This is the area where the main frame and seat post meet. If you are standing on the front seat, your inseam’s highest point must be an inch over the frame top tube. The bike is too big if you are unable to stand over the tube.

If you are studying how to measure bike sizes, don’t mistake wheel sizes with frame measurements. The most common wheel sizes are 26″, 24″, 20″, 18″ and 16″. 26” is the standard. When you see a bike referred to at 18” or another number, it refers to the frame size not the wheels.