When it comes to deciding what bike you’re going to invest your hard-earned money in, it is challenging enough just to decide what colour bike you want - never mind all the technical aspects of each bicycle.
From salmon pink to fluorescent yellow, we can cover all bases for you to bling up your frame. But crucially, we can also ensure you choose a reliable bike frame that is going to last a lifetime needs and fits you perfectly. In this article, we discuss some ways you can perfectly measure the right bicycle frame for you
Why Should You Choose a Bike Frame For Your Size?
You may not have paid much attention to this bike frame geometry down the years - especially when you were a kid. “I just want that one” is a phrase that has probably come out of your mouth when you’ve been looking at the bike aisle.
A spiderman-wrapped bike matched with your superhero helmets may have looked cool and been worth it at the time, yet, it could have been 3 sizes too small for you. As you’ve got older, you would’ve realised that when you take yourself off on someone else’s bike, it doesn’t always detect right.
You may feel compact/hunched over… or, you can’t reach the pedals properly because the saddle/ seat tube is too high. Getting comfortable not only makes you less likely to get injured (neck and back injuries typically) - conversely, the length, riding position and correct form when riding will always improve the ride quality and your overall performance. That is why we offer customers a free Bike Fit from our workshop in Kent. For those who cannot make it to Kent check out our bike sizing.
Bike Sizing Guide: How to Find the Right Frame For Your Size
The stages of how to find the right frame for your size are to first: measure your height, seat tube length and standover height. Once you’ve taken these key specifications, you will then choose the right bike that will fit these measurements and your riding style.
Across the bike sizing chart, you will need to be sure of your choice, as this choice (if you choose the right material, i.e. titanium frames) may be a bike that will last a lifetime.
Below, we are going to run you through exactly each stage and how you complete each one so you have a clearer vision of what you need to accomplish in order to invest in the right frame.
Measuring Your Height
As we mentioned above, the first step you will need to take when you want to find the perfect frame size for your bike - is to measure your height. Sizing a bike will ultimately determine how it feels when riding, so to do this you will first need to get your height measurements to a tee.
Whether you want to do this at home or have a professional measurement is completely up to you. Not only will you need your ‘actual height’ measurement, but you will need your inside leg measured too.
For finding the right size, you will need to stand against a wall with a book between your legs (into your groin) making sure you’re flat against the wall, standing up straight at all times. From here, the leg measurement will entail you measuring the height from the book to the floor.
Taking these measurements and then aligning them up to a trusted website, whether it be a mountain bike size chart, electric bike size chart, gravel bike size chart or many others - a size chart with good reviews will give you the answers you need.
Seat Tube Length
If your bikes are measured by others or you want to give this a go yourself, the seat tube length will need to be assessed too. Depending on the type of bike you invest in, this will defer the way you measure the seat tube length.
It will always differ from brand to brand in the way they do this. However, today, we will just walk through the most conventional method that brands use around the world.
Typically, you will find that a company will take their quantification from the centre of the bottom bracket (or centre of the bolt) that will attach the crank arms. Consequently, you will then find a saddle height that is comfortable and optimal for your execution.
Stand-Over Height
What size bike frame do I need? Well, the last step before buying a bike is to measure the stand-over height. Now, as self-proclaimed ‘bike nuts’ - we can become quite aggravated if a company misses out on this key measurement.
Essentially, the stand-over height is how far away the frame is from the floor. Therefore the top tube to the floor is what you want to be taking a look at. 2cm of clearance between yourself and the frame is optimised for comfort and performance.