You have many varieties of cycles from which to choose, and if you are in the market for a new bike, picking the right one for your frame can be a daunting task. Finding the right cycle for your frame improves both comfort and safety. The easiest way to select the right frame is to simply measure your inseam, but you should consider other factors, too.
Bike Types
From BMX to triathlon bikes, manufacturers make a bicycle for virtually every kind of bike enthusiast. If you are purchasing a new bike, first consider the terrain on which you will be riding. Rugged terrains require a mountain bike. Road and triathlon bikes are best suited for the road. BMX bikes come in one-size-fits-all, but the wheel sizes vary. After selecting the type of bike you need, get properly measured so that you go home with a bike that is sized according to your body type.
Youth Bikes
Measuring for a youth bike is different than measuring for an adult bike because children grow. To accommodate growth spurts, buy a bike based on wheel diameter, rather than seat height or size of the frame. To select a bike, measure the child’s inseam. Reputable bike shops can help with the selection process based upon the child’s age. For example, a child who is 4 to 6 years old and has an inseam between 16 and 20 inches will need a wheel diameter of 14 inches. From there, you can adjust seat height until the child feels comfortable on the new set of wheels.
Adult Bikes
Adult, full-size bikes are measured by the seat-tube length. The inseam length will give a general idea what the right bike frame size should be. For a mountain bike, multiply the inseam measurement by .59, and then round the total to the nearest inch. For a comfort bike, multiply the inseam measurement by .6 to obtain the recommended center-to-top frame size. Racing bikes are often measured in centimeters, so multiply the inseam measurement by 2.54 first to convert to centimeters, then multiply the total by .65 and round to the nearest centimeter to obtain the center-to-center measurement.
Ask active cyclists who are roughly your size what bikes they prefer, and then consult with a specialist at any reputable bike shop to both ensure the accuracy of your measurements and help with bike selection. Once you have selected a bike, you can fine-tune fit by adjusting the seat and handlebar stem. Interchangeable bike seats make it easy to try a few and select the one that is most comfortable.
Sizing Tips
The wrong fit can make for an uncomfortable ride, ranging from numbness in the arms to an achy back and sore knees. Wear your usual gear during the bike fitting to help improve the accuracy of the measurements and also give you an idea how the bike will feel on the road. If possible, take the bike you’re interested in for a quick spin. Ask the specialist at the bike shop to show you how to adjust the seat angle and height, as well as the handle bar heights, so that you can fine-tune the fit once you get the bike home and start using it.
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