Finding the right size of bike is easy and crucial. You will want a bike that is safe and comfortable to ride. You will use it more if the fit is right, and will also be able to handle it better, so in case anything happens, you won't get hurt when you need to dismount in a hurry.
Step 1
Decide on the kind of bike you want. The most commonly available choices are road bike, mountain bike, comfort bikes and hybrids, which are often a combination of comfort and road bike. Bikes are also specifically designed for women, with a different tube frame length better suited for their bodies.
Step 2
Go to a bike store and get advice from an employee who knows his merchandise. Explain what your needs are, if you will be traveling mainly on asphalt, if climbing is involved or if you just want to bike leisurely through the park.
Step 3
Stand next to the bike and see where the seat is in relation to your body. For a person with a small frame, the lowest seat setting of a 26-foot wheel bike might be too high. Even though that is the normal adult bike size, you can't really go by that. It all depends on your own frame. For a woman especially, the distance between the seat and the handlebars need to be considered. Your elbows, just like your legs, should maintain a slight bend, as it states on the REI website.
Step 4
Sit on the saddle with the toes of one foot on the floor and your other foot on the pedal in the down position. Your knee should be slightly bent, and it should make a straight line between your knee and your instep. You do not want your leg to be able to straighten out completely. On the other hand, you don't want your legs to be folded up while peddling either.
Step 5
Decide the kind of frame you need. The frame is "the heart and soul of the bike," as it says on Mountain Bike Skills. It cannot be exchanged. A lower-degree head and seat tube angles, and longer wheel base means more stability, though less speed. For handlebars, keep in mind that if you have back problems, a comfort bike will allow your arms to be much higher than with a road bike or mountain bike, which means your back will be straighter and you will experience less back strain.
Step 6
Ride around the store to get a feel for the bike. Avoid places that include department store, for instance, where they are likely to resist this. You shouldn't be expected to pay money for something you don't even know you'll want to use.
Tips and Warnings
- Check around if a friend or a neighbor might have the type of bike you are considering. Maybe you can ride it around the block a couple of times.
- Some store clerks like to steer customers toward mountain bikes, whether is a type of bike that make sense for them or not. Be aware that not everybody has necessarily your best interest in mind.
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