For many bike riding is a favorite pastime and for others, it can lead to a professional career at some point. But aside from leisure and career opportunities, riding a bike has many health benefits. For example, bike riding can help improve your cardiovascular function and facilitate weight loss. It can also help boost your immune system, build healthy muscles, make you more mentally sharp and active, and reduce the risk of developing severe medical conditions.
With that said, bike riding can be beneficial for several reasons. However, to ensure an excellent riding experience, choose the right bike for your needs. But with so many options available in the market, it may be hard to find the perfect one that suits your preferences. This is especially true if you also have to consider the ideal size of the equipment.
If you don’t manage to pick the best-sized bike, you will end up with junk that will only be suitable for parking in the garage.
When you’re buying physically, it’s a lot easier. However, as more and more people are opting to buy bikes online, things can get tricky.
Since there is no way to physically inspect the bike, selecting the best sized bike online requires careful consideration.
How to Pick the Best Sized Bike
As previously said, riding a bike can be a beneficial physical activity. But it’s vital to understand that motorcycles, particularly electric bikes, aren’t just for fun and pleasure. They can also be utilized as mobility aids for disabled people, adults, and seniors. Electric bikes and other comparable gadgets, such as mobility scooter, and electric motorcycles, can be advantageous to various people. They’re practical, comfortable, and safe, and they come in a range of sizes.
So, if you’re looking for the right equipment just follow these tips to get the bicycle that will fit you just right!
1. Stand-Over Height Gives More Accurate Fit
The first thing you need to decide is whether you need a road or mountain bike. If that’s decided, now you can check the stand-over height.
Stand-over height is simply the measurement from the ground to the middle of the top tube of the bicycle. But knowing this isn’t enough.
You need to be sure that you clear the top tube by at least 2 inches, otherwise, the bike will be shorter for you. As a general rule, a slightly larger frame bike will be much better than a shorter one!
2. Wheel Size Matters for a Kid’s Bike
Usually, bikes made for kids are sized by the wheel diameter. In most cases, this provides a close to accurate fit.
The sizing starts from 12 inches and all the way up to 24 inches.
For kids below 4 years, a 12-inch bike will be perfect. When they reach age 7, shift to a 20-inch bike and so on.
Here’s the full kids bike chart:
| Wheel Size | Age | Height |
| 12-inch | 2-3 | 36-39 in |
| 14-inch | 2-4 | 37-44 in |
| 16-inch | 4-6 | 41-48 in |
| 20-inch | 5-8 | 45-54 in |
| 24-inch | 8-11 | 49-59 in |
Between 16 and 20-in, you can also find an 18-inch model which isn’t a lot common like the others.
There’s also a 26-inch bike that’s a bit smaller than a regular adult-sized bike. At this point, you can break into full-frame bikes.
3. Match Your Height with a Bike Height Chart
Probably the easiest way to find the right size bike is to match your height with a bike height chart. Sometimes, it won’t give you an accurate measurement. However, it will act as a guide when you combine this with other methods.
The height charts of road and mountain bikes are completely different. So, you have to consider that as well. The sizing might vary between brands as well by one or two inches.
Here’s a mountain bike height chart:
| Your Height | Bike Size |
| 4’10” – 5’2” | 13” – 14” |
| 5’2” – 5’6” | 15” – 16” |
| 5’6” – 5’10” | 17” – 18” |
| 5’10” – 6’1” | 19” -20” |
| 6’1” – 6’4” | 21” – 22” |
| 6’4”- 6’6” | 22” – 24” |
13” bikes are termed as X-small size and the 24” is termed as XX-large.
4. Leg Inseam Measurement to Find the Right Bike
Inseam is another popular metric often used to get the right fit. All you need to do is to take your inner leg measurement.
There are lots of ways to do it. The easiest way is to place a book between your legs and stand upright. It should be pressed into your crouch snugly. Now, stand close to a wall and mark the top of the book with a pencil. This distance is your inseam measurement.
If you’re into road bikes, then you need to have 2.5-5cm clearance between your crotch and the top tube.
It’s easy and no rocket science!
5. Torso and Arms Measurement Might Be a Good Option
Most newbies overlook this option when they pick the best-sized bike. As soon as they get the height right, they take the bike home! After a few days, they realize that the frame is way too long for them and is putting stress on the back.
For the torso, use tape to measure the distance between the top of your crotch to the top of your breastbone.
And to measure the arms, hold your arm to your side making a fist. Now, measure the end of the collarbone to the middle of the fist. This is your arm length for bike sizing.
If you’re buying online, just make sure that these measurements are close to what the specs say. In some cases, the specs might show these metrics. We recommend you get in touch with the manufacturer or brand representatives!
Conclusion
Assuming you are a newbie, just buying a bicycle isn’t enough. There are a lot of things you need to know to keep your bike in good shape.
Cleaning your bike is one of them! As you take care of your bike, it will remain reliable and will last longer than you expect.