How to Select the Right Size Bicycle
Knee pain, back pain, numbness in your wrists, hands or fingers: While these issues might mean you need to make adjustments to your current bike, they can also indicate that you are riding the wrong size bicycle to begin with. When you are in the market for a new bike, size matters. In fact, size might be the most important consideration. Price bears no relation to size. Generally speaking, you can find a $300 bike that fits you as easily as you can find a $3,000 bike that fits. Getting it right ensures good health, safety and comfort.
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Instructions
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Familiarize yourself with common bicycle sizes. Manufacturers tend to list road and hybrid sizes in centimeters. Mountain bikes are measured in inches. An extra small is generally 13 inches or between 45 and 48 cm. A small usually measures 15 inches or 49 to 52 cm. Mediums are around 17 inches and 54 cm, while larges are usually 19 inches and 56 cm. Sizes commonly top out at extra large or extra, extra large, which typically equates to between 21 and 23 inches or a range of 58 to 63 cm. Exact sizing specifications vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
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Use your height as a starting point to determine the correct size bicycle. Mathematical equations used to figure proper bike size often fall short because they are based on averages. They do not take into account individual factors, such as the size of your torso relative to the length of your legs. Stand over the top tube of a bike you think fits. The top tube extends from the seatpost to the handlebar. You should have about an inch of room between your crotch and the top tube.
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Hold on to the handlebar while seated on the saddle. You should notice a slight bend in your elbows. If you are too stretched out, according to Joe Lindsey of "Bicycling Magazine," you can experience neck or lower back pain. Too much elbow bend can cause you to put too much weight on the handlebar, leading to numb wrists.
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Test ride a bike where the vertical and horizontal fit seem right at first glance. Adjust the seat height so that when you reach the bottom of a pedal stroke, your knee is bent slightly. Pain the front of the knee, notes Lindsey, means you are bending your knee too much. Raise the saddle. Don't worry about touching the ground when seated. This is a major misconception regarding bike fit. Proper knee bend while riding is more important than touching the ground.
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Ask a bike shop about what type of fitting services the shop offers. Tell him that you know what bike you want to buy---assuming this is the case---but you want to make sure it fits perfectly. Some shops will give you a free, basic assessment and recommend adjustments, such as a different size stem. The stem holds your handlebar and helps dictate the distance you have to reach out for it. Some shops offer extensive "pro fits," which they often discount with a new bike purchase.
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References
- Photo Credit nearly new bicycle image by Richard Morton from Fotolia.com
