Bike Sizing Chart In April 2024 - What Size Bike Do I Need?

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by Harold Whitford

Last Updated on July 14, 2021

The stories you’ve read about how fun cycling on different terrains is are actually great. But that’s just part of the biking puzzle.

In fact, one of the most critical steps in the biking sports is choosing the right bike for you.

Yet, it is the most difficult process to get through for cyclists who prefer to buy bikes online.

So, how do you choose the best bike without wasting time?

Well, it’s only by learning and understanding the bike size chart.

In this guide, we will walk you through the important things that you need to know about bike sizing, so that you can choose the right bicycle within the shortest time possible.

Let's start by explaining some of the common terms used in bicycle sizing charts and other things you need to understand before using bike size charts.

Contents

How to determine bike size

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for determine a bike’s size. However, you can use any of the three methods below to decide the bike size to choose.

Rider’s height/bike size
Calculating the size of the bike
Using a bike sizing chart

1. Your Height/Bike Size

This method is quite simple, so it’ quite straightforward. You need to understand your height to choose a bike with the right frame size. Below is a summary of this concept in point form.

4’11” – 5’3″ = 13 – 15 inches
5’3″ – 5’7″ = 15 – 16 inches
5’7″ – 5’11” = 16 – 17 inches
6’0″ – 6’2″ = 17 – 19 inches
6’2″ – 6’4″ = 19 – 21 inches
6’4″ and taller = 21+ inches

2. Calculating the size of the bicycle

Some people think that this technique is a pain in the ass and quite difficult to master. And if you do not like math, this might not even make sense. But then again, the mathematical concept here is quite simple and downright fun.

First, you will need to know your leg inseam. You can use the methods that we have outlined above to get your inseam measurements in inches or centimeters.

The second step is to determine frame size of the best bike to purchase, and this depends on the type of the bike in question.

City bike: inseam (centimeters) x 0.685 = frame size
Mountain bike: inseam (centimeters) x 0.66 = frame size
Road bike: inseam (centimeters) x 0.70 = frame size

3. Using a bike sizing chart

This is often the simplest method of determining the correct bike size. We have provided the bike-sizing chart for different categories of bikes below.

How to Measure a bike’s frame

You must choose a bike with the right frame. If you don’t, cycling will become hard and, eventually, you won’t get the best value for your money. If the frame is too big, you’ll lack the full drive.

And if the frame is cramped, you won’t get a full cycle. The result is minimal cycling power and difficulty in leg rotation. So make sure you measure the size of the frame before buying a bike.

This is quite an easy task. Simply stand over the frame of the bike with the two feet on a very flat ground.

If the distance between the frame and your crotch is about an inch, then the bike should be a good choice – as long as it is a racing, hybrid, or touring bike.

If you intend to buy a mountain bike, make sure the distance between the crotch and the frame is a little bit bigger than an inch.

Bike Size Charts

Hybrid & City Bikes Sizing Guide

Hybrid and city bike have bigger frames for proper body positioning between the seat and the handlebars. We have a list of the top hybrid bikes you can buy today.

Rider Height		Inside Leg		Suggested Frame Size
ft & inch	cm	inch +/- 1	cm +/- 2.5	inch	cm
5.0+	152	28	71	15	38
5.2+	157	28	71	16	41
5.4+	162	29	74	17	43
5.6+	167	29	74	18	46
5.8+	172	30	76	19	48
5.9+	175	30	76	20	51
5.10+	177	31	79	21	53
6.0+	182	33	84	22	56
6.2+	187	34	86	23	58

Road Bike Size Chart

To get the right size for a road bike, please use the formula provided below. It’s a tested and proven approach, so it should help you to get a bike with the right frame size.

Lapierre & NeilPryde: Your Frame Size = Inseam (cm) x 0.62
Cannondale, Cube, LOOK, Pinarello & Scott: Your Frame Size = Inseam (cm) x 0.67

We have have reviewed the top road bicycles worth buying.

Here is a pro tip when choosing the correct frame size of a road bike:-

Mountain Bikes Bike Size Chart

Hard Trails

Choose a bike with a smaller frame if you are interested in a hard trail mountain bike. Such bikes handle cornering in demanding terrains with ease. They also make climbing quite easy.

Rider Height		Inside Leg		Suggested Frame Size
ft & inch	cm	inch +/- 1	cm +/- 2.5	inch	cm
4.10+	145	27	69	13	33
5.0+	152	28	71	14	36
5.2+	157	28	71	15	38
5.4+	162	29	74	16	41
5.6+	167	29	74	17	43
5.8+	172	30	76	18	46
5.9+	175	30	76	19	48
5.10+	177	31	79	20	51
6.0+	182	33	84	21	53
6.2+	187	34	86	22	56
6.4+	192	35	89	23	58

Full Suspension

These are the best mountain bikes for cyclists that love to ride on rough terrains, particularly because they provide more stability on high speeds.

Rider Height		Inside Leg		Suggested Frame Size
ft & inch	cm	inch +/- 1	cm +/- 2.5	inch	cm
5.4+	162	29	74	16	41
5.6+	167	29	74	17	43
5.8+	172	30	76	18	46
5.9+	175	30	76	19	48
5.10+	177	31	79	20	51
6.0+	182	33	84	20	51
6.2+	187	34	86	21	53
6.4+	192	35	89	22	56
6.0+	182	33	84	21	53
6.2+	187	34	86	22	56
6.4+	192	35	89	23	58

That’s all you need to know about bike sizing chart. If you follow this chart to a tee, you should be able to choose the right bike for your needs.

Important things you need to know about bicycle sizing guides

1) What is Inseam?

By definition, an inseam is the distance between your ankle and your crotch (also known as the inner thigh).

The measurement is important because it helps you to choose the right bike size that you can drive comfortably.

The best part is that measuring this inseam is incredibly simple. It takes just a minute and you can do it on your own.

How to measure inseam

Many people base their inseam on jeans or pants’ size. Although this is okay, it isn’t often the most accurate approach.

So you might want to take your jeans or pants off for a precise measurement. Remember, the more precise your inseam, the better.

Remove your shoes
Stand with your back against a wall and then spread your feet about 8 inches apart
Place a very large book between your legs and make sure your spine is firm against your inner thigh (crotch)
Now ask someone to help you measure the inseam from the book to the floor and record the measurements in inches or centimeters.

2) The Type of Bike You Want

The next thing you need to understand is the type of bike that you would like to buy. It is important to understand that every bike is designed differently.

Different categories of bikes have different sizes, so you need to know your needs to determine the right size for you.

And since different manufacturers have their special sizing charts, it shouldn’t be difficult to choose the right bike for you, provided you know the value of your inseam.

Harold Whitford

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About the Author

My name is Harold Whitford, a husband, father, and avid cyclist with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Delaware. Having been in the industry for more than 15 years, I have a number of the road race and national time trial championships in my bag.