Frame Sizing
Size Matters
The size of a bicycle is typically measured at the frame. The measurement typically more refers to the length of the seat tube, top tube, or the distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the end of the seat tube.
The tables below show the frame size best suited to your height. The sizes are given either in inches (MTB) or in centimeters, often you will find both units in the description of the bike.
Road
This table will help you if you do not have your leg length at hand::
|
Your height in cm |
Frame Size Road bike / Singlespeed / MTB in cm |
Frame Size Triathlon in cm |
|---|---|---|
| 155 - 160 cm | 46 - 49 cm | 46 - 48 cm |
| 160 - 165 cm | 48 - 51 cm | 47 - 49 cm |
| 165 - 170 cm | 48 - 50 cm | 48 - 50 cm |
| 170 - 175 cm | 50 - 52 cm | 50 - 52 cm |
| 175 - 180 cm | 52 - 55 cm | 52 - 55 cm |
| 180 - 185 cm | 54 - 56 cm | 55 - 57 cm |
| 185 - 190 cm | 56 - 58 cm | 57 - 60 cm |
| 190 - 195 cm | 58 - 61 cm | 60 - 62 cm |
| from 195 cm | from 64 cm | from 62 cm Some Disclaimers |
Disclaimers
Everybody is different, so the values in our tables are only guideline values. For example, women and men differ greatly in their body proportions. The frame sizes are the same for men's bicycles and women's bicycles. However, what clearly differs is the frame geometry. In some cases the top tube is shorter for women's bikes, in simpler terms: the distance from the saddle to the handlebar is shorter to better suit the female physiology.
Additionally, regardless of your gender, different people may have different length arms, legs, reach etc. which can skew the ideal frame size. It’s also worth noting that the size of the wheels can play a role, particularly in Mountain Bikes. The bigger the wheels (29er for instance) the taller the bike is. My tip: Head into your Local Bike Shop or my store and try a few different frame sizes out to get a feel for what suits you best!
If you fall between two sizes, no need to worry! Many bikes have an adjustable stem, so you can change the angle of the handlebars until the bike fits comfortably. And last but not least, the frame size can influence the handling characteristics, so if you’re after a nimble handling frame you can choose the smaller size or if you’re after additional stability, a larger frame may be best for you. Rule of thumb: The more time you plan on spending on your bike, the more attention you should pay to the size and fit of your bike.
A professional bike fit will go a long way to ensuring you’re both comfortable and efficient on the bike and is highly recommended to keep you and your bike performing at their optimum!