We are reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links on our site. Read More… Bike Size Charts – For Women, Men & Kids Jeff Balton – Last updated: July 25th, 2023 Getting the right bike size is crucial, there’s no doubt about that. When you are lucky enough to test ride a bike, then the process is quite straightforward – it feels good or it doesn’t. It’s as simple as that. But what can you do when you’re shopping online (bike shops, marketplace, Craigslist and so on)? The answer is simple – use bike size charts! We have various methods on how to find the right bike size based on your height and/or inseam, so let’s take a closer look at these below. Method One: Bike Height Chart – The Easiest This method requires your height and provides you with the proper frame size measured in inches. If you need the results in centimeters, then jump to step 2. Mountain Bike Size Chart Your height / Frame Size / Marker 4’11″ – 5’3″ = 13 – 15 inches = X-Small 5’3″ – 5’7″ = 15 – 16 inches = Small 5’7″ – 5’11” = 16 – 17 inches = Medium 6’0″ – 6’2″ = 17 – 19 inches = Large 6’2″ – 6’4″ = 19 – 21 inches = X-Large 6’4″ and taller = 21 inches = XX-Large Road Bike Size Chart Height / Frame Size (seat tube height) / Marker 4’10”- 5’2” = 47 cm – 48 cm = XX-Small 5’2″- 5’6” = 49 cm – 50 cm = X-Small 5’3”- 5’6” = 51 cm – 53 cm = Small 5’6”- 5’9” = 54 cm – 55 cm = Medium 5’9”- 6’0” = 56 cm – 58 cm = Large 6’0”- 6’3” = 58 cm – 60” cm = X-Large 6’3”- 6’6” = 61 cm – 63 cm = XX-Large Voilà! These two are very generic charts, so we recommend always seeking more information from brands that you’re interested in. Method Two: Calculating the bike size Take off your shoes and stand with your legs about 6″ – 8″ (15 – 20 cm) apart. Measure the height from the ground to your crotch. Be sure of the type of bicycle you want: Mountain bike, city bike or road bike. You can read about the different bike types from here. Now you can take your calculator and calculate the right size: City bike – Leg inseam (cm) x 0,685 = Your frame size Mountain bike – Leg inseam (cm) x 0,66 = Your frame size Road bike – Leg inseam (cm) x 0,70 = Your frame size (If your leg inseam is 76cm, then your right mountain bike size is 50 cm (20”), road bike 53 cm and city bike 52 cm) Method Three: Bike Size Chart (Advanced): Mountain bike size chart Rider height Leg inseam Suggested Frame Size Feet/Inches Centimeters Inches Centimeters Inches Size 4’10” – 5’1” 148-158 cm 24-29” 61-73 cm < 14″ XS 5’1″ – 5’5″ 158-168 cm 25-30” 63-76 cm 15″ / 16″ S 5’5″ – 5’9″ 168-178 cm 26-31” 66-78 cm 16″ / 17″ M 5’9″ – 6’0″ 178-185 cm 27`-32` 68-81 cm 17″ / 18″ L 6’0″ – 6’3″ 185-193 cm 28`-33` 71-83 cm 18″ / 19″ XL 6’1″ – 6’6″ 193-198 cm 29`-34` 73-86 cm 19″ XXL City bike (Also commuter/hybrid bikes) size chart Rider height Leg inseam Suggested Frame Size Feet/Inches Centimeters Inches Centimeters Inches Size 4`10” – 5`1” 147-155 cm 24″-29″ 61-73 cm 14″ XS 5`1″ – 5`5″ 155-165 cm 25″-30″ 63-76 cm 15″ S 5`5″ – 5`9″ 165-175 cm 26″-31″ 66-78 cm 16″ M 5`9″ – 6`0″ 175-183 cm 27″-32″ 68-81 cm 17″ L 6`0″ – 6`3″ 183-191 cm 28″-33″ 71-83 cm 18″ XL 6`1″ – 6`6″ 191-198 cm 29″-34″ 73-86 cm 19″ XXL Road bike size chart Rider height Suggested frame size Feet/Inches Centimeters Centimeters Size 4`10”-5`0” 148-152 cm 47-48 cm XXS 5`0″-5`3″ 152-160 cm 49-50 cm XS 5`3″-5`6″ 160-168 cm 51-52-53 cm S 5`6″-5`9″ 168-175 cm 54-55 cm M 5`9″-6`0″ 175-183 cm 56-57-58 cm L 6`0″-6`3″ 183-191 cm 58-59-60 cm XL 6`3″-6`6″ 191-198 cm 61-62-63 cm XXL To make it simple – Bicycle Guiders’ bike size graph. Open me! Got the right size? Nice! And now go cycling! *Please note that frame sizes from XXS – XXL don’t have the same meaning for every manufacturer. Those sizes (like on clothing) show current model sizes. Kids Bike Size Chart Let’s consider several methods all at once of how to size a bike for a kid with more certainty. If you want to make sure to choose the right kids’ bike size, you should take into consideration 1) Age, 2) Height, 3) Inseam, and 4) Tire Size. We tried to gather all of this data into one kids’ bike size chart that you can see below. It should work for most kids, except for some exceptions. Age Height Leg Inseam Tire Size Inch cm Inch cm 2 2’9″ – 3’1″ 85-90cm 12″–14″ 85-90cm 10″ 3-4 3’1″ – 3’3″ 90-100cm 14″-17″ 35-42cm 12″ 4-5 3’3″ – 3’7″ 100-110cm 16″-20″ 40-50cm 14″ 5-6 3’7″ – 3-8″ 110-115cm 18″-22″ 45-50cm 16″ 6-8 3’8″ – 4’0″ 115-120cm 20″-24″ 50-60cm 18″ 7-9 4’0″ – 4’5″ 120-135cm 22″-25″ 55-63cm 20″ 9-11 4’5″ – 4’9″ 135-145cm 24″-28″ 60-72cm 24″ 11-14 5’ 145cm 28″ 72cm 26″ As a result: You can double-check the results. If you’re satisfied, you can choose the right bike based on these results. If you find that some numbers don’t match and you’re getting different results based on different criteria, keep in mind that all kids are different. As they get older, the discrepancies between individuals become even larger. Read also: 26-Inch Bike for What Size Person? Right Saddle Height (vs Standover Height) For Kids Choosing the right saddle height is extremely important for all riders, especially for kids. If you place the saddle too low or high, your child is likely to feel a lack of control and lack of confidence. So, let’s make it clear. BONUS: Fourth Sizing method: Amazon Fit Guide Fifth Sizing Calculator: Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator. Sixth – Jenson USA Bike Fit Calculator (Beta) Voilà! Read next: How to fit a bike The right saddle height has a very important role. If it’s too low, you won’t have enough power in your feet. In mountain bike racing, I have experienced that when the saddle falls one inch down from normal, I lose about 25-50% of my force. I better stop and let the group go, then fix it and lose 15 seconds but I do catch the group and can even get the next group ahead. So the right saddle height plays a big role! Need Professional Fitting Service? Order From Amazon! The easiest way is to Lean to the wall with your elbow sitting on the bike (or let someone help you as shown on the picture) Put your leg to lowest point but parallel to the ground. Move your saddle up or down until you have a nice bend behind your knee. It should be something around 30 ° but don’t waste too much energy finding that exact angle. Go out and ride. Does it feel good? If not, then adjust. Also, you can adjust the seat to front and rear. But… which brand to buy? See our Best Bike Brands TIP: If you got the right height, mark it down with some sharp object. That’s the best size chart ever 🙂 Some bikes have centimeters marked there, then keep this in mind. What If I Got My Bike Size Wrong? Then ask your merchant, if you can send your bike back to get the right one. If you don’t want to do that, then you can do the following things: Move your saddle to the front or rear Buy a longer or shorter stem. It changes your body position Buy a longer seat post Give it time to get the feeling right. I remember when I got my first 29er mountain bike. It felt like a ship and seemed difficult to ride in narrow trails of the forest. Now I start laughing when I sit on a 26″ mountain bike because it looks so tiny. Read Next: Best Mountain Bikes Best Road Bikes Top Gravel Bikes Best Folding Bikes Best Hybrid Bikes Home… CLICK TO SHARE THIS ARTICLE TwitterFacebookGoogle LinkedInPin It 1,970 Comments Osama shaikh says: September 13, 2023 at 8:21 am Hello.. please,i need help to choose the right hybrid cycle for me. I am 6.2 foot (188cm) tall, What is suitable bike size for me? Thank you Reply Editor says: September 13, 2023 at 1:18 pm Hi Osama, you should get an XL or 20″ or 58 cm bike, whatever method is used to measure the bike you’re interested in. But make sure to check the manufacturer’s size chart (if available) and choose based on that. William says: September 10, 2023 at 5:53 am Hello, I am 158 cm tall I am currently using a 26 rim bicycle, with a frame size of 16 inches. I do XC tours, and I would like to switch to using a 29er bike. My question is, what would you recommend? Is it a good idea to go to hoop 29? In my country it is difficult to find Or would a size S with a 27.5 underwire be better? I wait your answer thank you so much . Hola, mido 158 cm Actualmente estoy usando una bicicleta aro 26 , con medida del cuadro de 16 pulgadas. hago recorridos de XC , y quisiera pasarme a usar una bicicleta aro 29. Mi pregunta es, que me recomendarías , es una buena idea ir al aro 29? En mi país es difícil encontrar bicicletas XS para aro 29, lo que si e podido ver son bicicletas talla S (15.5 pulgadas) de aro 29, esta medida seria buena para mi? O sariá mejor una talla S con aro 27.5? Espero tu respuesta muchas gracias . Reply Editor says: September 11, 2023 at 9:23 am Hey William, in my opinion, a 27.5″ bike would be a better choice for you based on your height because there is a larger selection of models with sizes that fit you. You may struggle to find a 29er with the right frame size, but if you do find one, you will be able to ride it. So wheel size is not an issue, but the range of frame sizes could be. Dewi says: September 2, 2023 at 2:22 am Hello.. please,i need help to choose the right bike for my daugther birthday. She is 140cm tall, inseam 67cm. What is suitable bike size for her? Is it from measuring tire or frame? Thank youu Reply Editor says: September 11, 2023 at 9:14 am Hey Dewi, you should get a kids’ bike with a 24″ wheel size. Cheers! Tina says: August 8, 2023 at 9:57 am Hello, my height is 152-154 CM. Which frame size would be good. As I just ordered a cycle with 45 frame size.. But confused. It’s a hybrid bike. Reply Editor says: August 10, 2023 at 11:41 am Hey Tina, if your hybrid bike is 17-18″ in size, then it’s likely to big for your height. An XS or S (14″ for example) frame size would be a better fit. Hope this helps. Louise says: August 2, 2023 at 8:54 pm Hello! Please can you help? I’ve been driving myself mad trying to find the right mountain bike size for my daughters birthday as a surprise…she is 141cm tall, inseam of 66cm? I have seen 24” bikes but some are 13” frame and some 14” frame, im so confused 🙁 thanks! Louise Reply Editor says: August 3, 2023 at 7:19 am Hi Louise, considering your daughter’s inseam and height, I’d recommend a 24″ or even a 26″ bike. For example, both Prevelo Zulu 5 (26″) and Woom 5 (24″) would fit her reasonably well. If she is a confident rider, you can go with 26″ wheels, but if she is still insecure when riding, she’ll feel more confident on a 24″ bike. Hope this helps! « Older Comments Leave a Reply Cancel reply Name (required) Email (required) Δ Click here to cancel reply.
| 