| u had never seen a bicycle before it might be hard to | | | | bike’s top tube and your crotch. |
| imagine it as a fast, efficient, comfortable means of | | | | To help make the selection process a little more |
| transportation. By careful consideration when selecting | | | | efficient, so that you don’t have to have to |
| a bike, all three of these results can be realized. | | | | stand over every bike in the store to determine if it |
| One of the most important issues to address when | | | | meets these requirements you can narrow down your |
| choosing a bike is the size of the bike. Bike sizes | | | | selection by determining beforehand, which frame size |
| generally do not correspond to age or experience of | | | | will give you the appropriate stand-over height. Since, a |
| the rider, but rather to the height and leg length. | | | | bike's frame is measured from the center of the |
| Usually the frame sizes are given on seat tube length | | | | cranks to the top tube, you can find your |
| and most manufacturers measure from the center of | | | | recommended frame size for a mountain bike by |
| the crank axle to the center of the seat tube where it | | | | multiplying your inseam measurement by 0.59. This |
| joins the top tube. Always check how measurements | | | | means that it you have a 34-inch inseam (34 x .59 = |
| are done – some bikes are measured from the | | | | 20.06) would probably want a bike with a 20-inch |
| center of the crank axle to top of the seat tube, which | | | | frame, depending on the available sizing options. |
| can make a big difference. | | | | Road bikes are typically used on smoother surfaces |
| When you go to buy a bike you will find that for ease | | | | than mountain bikes so the difference between inseam |
| of general classification, tire sizes are used as the | | | | length and stand-over height can be less. The |
| most common point of reference, but it is the frame | | | | manufacturers of road bikes usually list the frame |
| size that determines which bike is the best fit for you. | | | | sizes in centimeters rather than inches. Simply multiply |
| The first important measurement to be aware of is | | | | your inseam length in inches by 2.54 to convert the |
| called the “stand-over height”. Begin by | | | | length to centimeters. It is generally recommended that |
| measuring your inseam, that is, from the floor to your | | | | the stand-over height is 5 to 9 cm longer than the |
| crotch. Now, depending on which type of bike you will | | | | inseam length. Multiplying your inseam, in centimeters, |
| be riding, the stand-over height will vary. | | | | by 0.65 will give you the suggested frame size. |
| For a mountain bike, it is recommended that you add | | | | Once you have the frame size correct it is easy to |
| 3” – 5” to your inseam length to | | | | adjust the seat and handle bar heights to fit you |
| determine the appropriate stand-over height. If you | | | | perfectly. Every cyclist eventually comes to appreciate |
| anticipate being a very active rider that spends a lot of | | | | the advantages of a properly sized bike. A bike that |
| time riding on very bumpy and rough terrain you might | | | | fits makes it possible to ride longer, farther, and faster |
| want to lean more towards a longer stand-over height | | | | which all lead to a more enjoyable cycling experience. |
| to give yourself more clearance between the | | | | |